Class 9 English Unit 8Science and Technology: Reading I: Humanoid Robot Sophia

 

Unit 8: Science and Technology

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDUy5NKDBgE

Getting Started (10 Hours)

a.      Read the title of the unit and ask the students what ideas would come to their minds with this topic. Take their responses. Their responses vary. Elicit that this unit is related to the theme of science and technology.

The first picture represents a technological advancement in the field of network and communication. It has symbols of various internet and network applications that have contributed to modern life. Whereas, the second picture is about alternatives to energy resources. It shows space-based solar power stations as an alternative to energy resources.

b.     Draw the students' attention to the given pictures and ask them what technological advancement these pictures represent.

These inventions and innovations will make the world a small village with a global network and a comfortable place supported by various alternative resources in the future.

c.      Take their responses. Further, ask how these inventions and innovations will shape our future. Let them think and share how life would be if there were no inventions of science and technology.

Reading I: Humanoid Robot Sophia

Vocabulary

1.           humanoid /ˈhjuːmənɔɪd/ adjective - having human characteristics

2.           conference /ˈkɒnfərəns/ noun - a formal meeting for discussion

3.           applause /əˈplɔːz/ noun - clapping hands to show appreciation

4.           awe /ɔː/ noun - a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder

5.           appreciation /əˌpriːʃiˈeɪʃən/ noun - recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something

6.           flashed /flæʃt/ verb - to emit a brief burst of light

7.           admiring /ədˈmaɪərɪŋ/ adjective - showing respect or approval

8.           keynote /ˈkiːnəʊt/ noun - a central theme or idea

9.           highlighting /ˈhaɪlaɪtɪŋ/ verb - to emphasize something important

10.       championing /ˈtʃæmpiənɪŋ/ verb - to support or advocate for a cause

11.       sustainable /səˈsteɪnəbl/ adjective - capable of being maintained over the long term

12.       innovation /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/ noun - the introduction of new ideas or methods

13.       innovation conference /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən ˈkɒnfərəns/ noun - a formal meeting focusing on new ideas or methods

14.       fair /feə/ noun - an event where goods and services are displayed and sold

15.       logoed /ˈləʊɡəʊd/ adjective - marked with a logo

16.       red-lipped /rɛd-lɪpt/ adjective - having red lips

17.       endless /ˈɛndlɪs/ adjective - having no limit or end

18.       applicability /ˌæplɪkəˈbɪləti/ noun - relevance or suitability for a particular use

19.       transform /trænsˈfɔːm/ verb - to change in form, appearance, or structure

20.       ensure /ɪnˈʃʊə/ verb - to make certain

21.      revolution /ˌrɛvəˈluːʃən/ noun - a dramatic change or improvement in conditions

22.       celebrity /sɪˈlɛbrɪti/ noun - a famous person

23.       starvation /stɑːˈveɪʃən/ noun - suffering or death caused by hunger

24.       gender equality /ˈdʒɛndər ɪˈkwɒlɪti/ noun - equal rights and opportunities for all genders

25.     enthusiasts /ɪnˈθjuːzɪæsts/ noun - people who are highly interested in a particular activity or subject

26.       inspire /ɪnˈspaɪə/ verb - to fill someone with the urge to do something

27.       generate /ˈdʒɛnəreɪt/ verb - to produce or create

28.       takeover /ˈteɪkəʊvə/ noun - an act of assuming control of something

29.       fake /feɪk/ adjective - not genuine

30.       erupt /ɪˈrʌpt/ verb - to burst forth suddenly

31.       showcasing /ˈʃəʊkeɪsɪŋ/ verb - displaying to best advantage

32.       e-education /iː-ˌɛdʒʊˈkeɪʃən/ noun - learning through electronic media

33.  telemedicine /ˌtɛlɪˈmɛdsɪn/ noun - remote diagnosis and treatment via telecommunications technology

34.       scaling-up /ˈskeɪlɪŋ-ʌp/ noun - increasing in size or number

35.       prototypes /ˈprəʊtətaɪps/ noun - early samples or models of a product

36.       empowerment /ɪmˈpaʊəmənt/ noun - giving someone the authority or power to do something

37.       reduction /rɪˈdʌkʃən/ noun - the action of making something smaller or less in amount

38.   green energy /ɡriːn ˈɛnədʒi/ noun - energy derived from environmentally friendly sources

A.   Match the following words with their meanings. (Answers only)

Column A	Column B
a.      humanoid	viii. a machine or creature that looks and behaves like a human
b.     awe	iii. feelings of respect and slight fear
c.      revolution	vii. a great change in conditions, beliefs, etc.
d.     celebrity	i. a famous person
e.      enthusiast	vi. a person who is very interested in a particular activity or subject
f.       applaud	ii. to clap in approval
g.     takeover	v. an act of controlling somebody or something
h.     prototype	iv. the first design of a device or machine

B.    Fill in the blanks with the suitable words/phrases from the text above. (Answers only)

a.      Sophia greeted the audience in Kathmandu with a ‘Namaste’.

b.     She presented her keynote speech about the importance of technology.

c.   The Innovation Conference and Fair were organized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

d.     Sophia was built two and a half years ago.

e.      According to Sophia, technology can transform state institutions.

f.       Using artificial intelligence could bring a revolution in the agriculture sector.

g.     According to the robot, the news of robots taking over humans was fake.

h.     In the opinion of Valerie Julliand, technology is giving us solutions to various problems.

C.    Answer the following questions.

a.      Who is Sophia?

Sophia is a humanoid robot and the world's first robot citizen.

b.     What was the main highlight of the conference?

The main highlight of the conference was Sophia's keynote speech.

c.      How can artificial intelligence be useful in Nepal, according to Sophia?

According to Sophia, artificial intelligence can be useful in Nepal to ensure better public services, revolutionize the agriculture sector, make better use of limited resources, protect the environment and end poverty, and fight corruption and gender inequality.

d.     Who was the audience comprised of?

The audience was comprised of government officials, private sector representatives, civil servants, and tech enthusiasts, among others.

e.      How long did Sophia speak for?

Sophia spoke for three minutes.

f.   Why are innovative project models being developed in Nepal, according to UNDP?

Innovative project models are being developed in Nepal by UNDP to address gender empowerment, combat gender-based violence, and disaster risk reduction.

D.   How do you think AI technology can help to end poverty and fight starvation in Nepal?

AI technology can significantly help to end poverty and fight starvation in Nepal by revolutionizing agriculture, enhancing supply chains, promoting financial inclusion, improving education and healthcare, aiding in disaster management, and informing policy-making. AI-powered precision farming and pest detection can boost crop yields, while optimized logistics and demand forecasting can ensure efficient food distribution. Financial services through AI-driven microfinance and mobile banking can reach the underbanked, and adaptive learning platforms can improve education and vocational training. AI telemedicine and predictive analytics can enhance healthcare, and early warning systems can better manage natural disasters. Data-driven policymaking using AI can tailor effective poverty alleviation programs, ultimately driving significant positive changes in Nepal.

Pronunciation

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gHpjDQRUnc 

Pronounce the following pairs of words and show the difference in their meanings to the students. Ask them to practice pronouncing in pairs.

1.           principal /ˈprɪnsəpəl/ noun - the head of a school or organization

principle /ˈprɪnsɪpəl/ noun - a fundamental truth or proposition

2.           loose /luːs/ adjective - not tight or firmly fixed

lose /luːz/ verb - to be deprived of something; to misplace

3.           advice /ədˈvaɪs/ noun - guidance or recommendations

advise /ədˈvaɪz/ verb - to offer suggestions about the best course of action

4.           affect /əˈfekt/ verb - to make a difference to

effect /ɪˈfekt/ noun - a change that is a result or consequence of an action or other cause

5.           further /ˈfɜːðə/ adverb - at, to, or by a greater distance (non-physical)

farther /ˈfɑːðə/ adverb - at, to, or by a greater distance (physical)

6.           council /ˈkaʊnsəl/ noun - an advisory, deliberative, or legislative body

counsel /ˈkaʊnsəl/ noun - advice is given formally; a lawyer conducting a case

7.           accept /əkˈsɛpt/ verb - to consent to receive

except /ɪkˈsɛpt/ preposition - not including

8.           ascent /əˈsɛnt/ noun - a climb or walk to the summit of a mountain or hill

assent /əˈsɛnt/ noun - the expression of approval or agreement

 

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