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SCMP Reporter

Reading Comprehension
Answer the following questions:
1 What is a likely function of Japanese robot MySpoon?
a. Feeding those who cannot feed themselves
b. Manufacturing utensils such as spoons, forks and knives
c. Bringing an online community to those who can't afford the Internet
d. Taking care of children
2 What happened to monkeys left in the care of robots, in a study cited in the article?
a. Their movements became robotic
b. They became fearful and anxious
c. They revolted against the robot
d. They couldn't breed
Word Power
Match the following words with their meanings below:
1 unprecedented
2 deployment
3 pervasive
4 doomsday
5 hurtle
6 automation
a. to move quickly and dangerously
b. the distribution of a group of people or objects
c. widespread
d. referencing Judgment Day in the Bible; a symbolic day of destruction
e. never seen or done before
f. the use of machines to replace human labour
Language Focus
Clauses of contrast
A clause of contrast has two purposes: to give reasons for an action to occur OR to show that a result is surprising. They can come in the beginning or the middle of a sentence.
Here are some common clauses. Add the words in parentheses only if the contrast clause goes in front of another clause (a phrase that could be a full sentence), rather than a noun.
Reasons: due to (the fact that); because (of)
Surprises: despite (the fact that); in spite of
Eg. Due to my absence, my group couldn't present  the project today.
Due to the fact that I was off sick, my group couldn't present the project today.
Fill in the blanks with one of the clauses of contrast above. In some cases, more than one clause is appropriate:
1 ____________ all the hours he spent studying, Jim found the exam easy.
2 ____________ our arguments, Jenny is still my best friend.
3 Mother was in a good mood ____________ father surprised her with flowers.
4 ____________ I brush my teeth twice daily, I still get cavities sometimes.
Think About
1 Should robots be used to care for children and elderly?
2 Why might some scientists be against drafting ethical guidelines for the use of robots?
3 Can you think of another invention that went 'wrong' in the hands of mankind?
Answers
Reading comprehension: 1. a, 2. d
Word power: 1. e, 2. b, 3. c, 4. d, 5. a, 6. f
Language focus: 1 Due to/because of;  2 Despite/in spite of; 3 because;  4 Despite the fact that



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