Unit 1 Reading and Thinking 高中英语人教版(2019)选择性必修第四册

Pre-reading
Think about the following questions. ➢ How do robots already help humans in their lives today?
shop
education
ChatGPT
factory
home
Think about the following questions. ➢ What is a domestic robot? Name some domestic robots you know or use.
and caring;
kindly;
emotions can change
always the same warm body
Use the words in the boxes to describe the similarities and differences.
EXAMPLE A human being’s facial expression changes often, whereas Tony’s never changes.
Cultural notes
Science fiction, abbreviation SF or sci-fi, is a form of fiction that deals principally with the impact of actual or imagined science upon society or individuals.
➢ Will there be a robot in this novel? What type of robot will it be?
While-reading
Read the story below, which was originally written by famous science fiction writer Isaac Asimov. Get the main idea of this story.
Although Tony’s actions appeared sensitive and caring, he was just following his programming and these were not real emotions. In contrast to Tony, who never changed from his programming, a human’s emotions can change. However, there are similarities between them. Tony’s smooth hair and warm body are the same as human beings. Tony treats people kindly in the same way. He can offer sympathy just as what we do.
Look and discuss. ➢ Have you read any science fiction? What elements does science fiction
usually include?
Yes, I have read some. These stories often contain scientific devices that we do not have now, and technologies that seem impossible, such as time travel. The characters may have bodies, cultures, and backgrounds that are very different than our own. The themes often include space exploration, alien contact, AI, and the future of humans, etc.
Larry Belmont
Claire
worked for a robot company
Tony
a housewife Gladys Claffern
a household robot a rich and powerful woman
Complete the diagram with the similarities and differences between Tony and a human being.
➢ What would happen to Claire? Was she eventually satisfied?
➢ What would happen to Tony? Did he pass the test in the experiment?
Listen to the rest of the story. And then think about the following questions.
1. read famous science fiction; 2. identify people’s relationship in the science fiction; 3. find out the similarities and differences between a robot, Tony, and a
This story is mainly about how a household robot was tested out in a family.
Take notes on who these people are and their relationships to each other.
Robot Vacuum
Alpha Egg
Sipro
Think about the following questions. ➢ What do you think domestic robot could do for a family in the future?
There has been a lot of work to design domestic robots lately, and they may soon be a reality. Many of these robots are being designed for the handicapped or the elderly. For example, a handicapped person or an elderly person who has trouble moving around the house could be helped by a robot. The robot can also cook and feed people when they need help.
Compare and contrast Some words and phrases are often used to compare and contrast information. It is easier to understand two separate thingபைடு நூலகம் by describing their similarities and differences.
human being through comparison and contrast; 4. write an ending for the science story; 5. explore the relationship between humans and robots in the future.
人教版（2019）选择性必修四
Unit 1 Science Fiction
Reading and Thinking
Explore the relationship between humans and robots
Learning objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
A domestic robot or a service robot is an autonomous robot that is used for household chores. Most of the domestic robots are simplistic, and some are connected to Wi-Fi home networks or the smart environments. They are highly autonomous.
Post-reading
How do you think this story will end? Work in groups and come up with an ending. The following questions may help you.
➢ What would happen next in the party? Was it a success?
Tony
Human being
facial expression never
facial
expression
changes
smooth hair changes often
p r o g r a m m e d t o offers sympathy; c a n s h o w t r u e
appear sensitive t r e a t s p e o p l e sensitivity and care;
[Then the front door bell rang.]
➢ Do you like the ending? Why or why not?
➢ What is your
Tony let her go and disappeared from sight. It was then that Claire realised that Tony had opened the curtains of the front window. Her guests had seen everything!
Lead-in
Look and discuss. ➢ What do you see in the picture? What things does the picture remind you of?
I can see an illustration of some modern towers and many skyscrapers, one of which looks like landing pads and docking places for spaceships. There is also a spaceship jetting across the top of the page. Some of the shapes of the buildings and the materials remind me of some modern buildings I have seen in cities like Beijing and Shanghai.
Today’s science fiction is tomorrow’s science fact. — Isaac Asimov
今天的科幻小说即明天的科学现实。 ——阿西莫夫
开篇引言选自兼具科幻作家与生物、化学教授等多重身份的俄裔美国作家阿西莫夫。这 句话绝对不是一种妄言。那些曾经只能出现在科幻作品中的奇思妙想，如地心探险、星 系探索智能机器人等，已经随着科技进步成为当今的科学现实。人类对地球乃至整个宇 宙的探索不会停止。
Predict.
➢ Whose satisfaction do you think will be guaranteed? What does the word “adapted” mean?
➢ How are robots usually described in science fiction?