Audio Time: 4
Min 49 Sec
Level: Upper
Intermediate
Vocabulary: To help learners fully understand the audio
and transcript, most vocabulary that might be unknown for this lesson’s level
is provided. Vocab in bold
is more useful for learners at the lesson’s target level. Try to choose 8
to 10 new words to learn from the story (in general, it’s best to try to learn
no more than 8-10 new words a day).
Definitions
are written with the help of various sources including Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s
Dictionary
Provocative: causing
discussion, thought, argument, etc.
Emerge: to
become known or apparent.
Contentious: likely
to cause people to argue or disagree.
Autonomous: existing
or acting separately from other things or people; independent.
Ethical: involving
questions of right and wrong behavior : relating to ethics.
Urgency: very
important and needing immediate attention.
Ban: to
forbid people from using (something) : to say that something cannot be used or
done.
Threshold: a piece
of wood, metal, or stone that forms the bottom of a door and that you walk over
as you enter a room or building.
Obscure: not
well-known : not known to most people.
Cylons and terminators: Fictional robots from modern science
fiction movies.
Amok:
in
a wild or uncontrolled manner — used in the phrase run amok.
Science
fiction: stories about how people and societies are affected by
imaginary scientific developments in the future.
Promotional video: A video made or used to make people aware
of something (such as a new product or book) and increase its sales or
popularity.
Slam: to
close (something) in a forceful way that makes a loud noise.
Torpedo: a bomb
that is shaped like a tube and that is fired underwater.
Wiggle room: the ability to make small changes in a plan,
schedule, etc., if they are needed.
Overlook: to fail
to see or notice (something).
Frustration:
a
feeling of anger or annoyance caused by being unable to do something.
Err: to make
a mistake.
Sniper: a person
who shoots at another person from a hidden place.
To cloud: to
confuse (a person's mind or judgment).
Inhumane: not kind
or gentle to people or animals: not humane.
Discussion
questions:
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using
autonomous robots in battle?
2. What are some of the
ethical issues with using robots in battle?
3. What are some other
roles in society that robots might take over?
4. How will robots change our society?
5. Should we try to continue to develop smarter robots (AI: artificial
intelligence)?
Here are some additional resources about AI:
Short Stories:
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