I, Robot by Isaak Asimov_Introduction

Dear readers, now we are going to publish chapters I, Robot by Issak Asimov with comprehension and language exercises. They are illustrated by a young talented artist Daria Buffet from Yalta. The aim of her paintings is to create the world of love and kindness. 

Read the Introduction to the story and complete the following exercises:

Vocabulary:

hectic – беспокойный, лихорадочный

destined – предназначенный

projected – планируемый

stirrings – волнение

relay – реле

platinum – платина

iridium – иридий

variables – переменные

lushly – напыщенно

occiput – затылок

to hackney – говорить банальности

gears – шестеренки

breed – племя, порода

to nudge – подталкивать

verbatim – дословно

to dismantle – демонтировать

blasphemers – богохульники

Task 1. Say if the statements are true or false. Expand on the true and correct the false ones.

1. The events described in Introduction take place in 2020.
2. U.S. Robots was founded in 1992.

3.  Susan Calvin demonstrated the first robot with voice at Psycho-Math seminar.

4. Dr. Alfred Lanning’s robot was supposed to be used on the Earth mines. 

5. Robot psychologist was a pioneer job in 2008. 

6. Dr. Calvin likes robots more than human beings. 
7. Interplanetary Press is read in the entire Solar System.

8. The author uses a special pocket computer to record Dr. Calvin’s story.

9. Robbie was the first robot that could speak. 

10. Robbie was the first robot sold as a nurse. 

Task 2. Answer the questions.

1. When and where does the action take place?

2. Who is Susan Calvin?

3. What is her bio?

4. Who is Alfred Lanning?

5. What is the story of U.S Robots?

6. How does the author describe the buildings of U.S Robots?

7. What is the difference between the world without robots and with them (according to Dr. Calvin)?

Task 3. Match the adjectives with their definitions.

1) hectic	g) marked with irritation or anger
2) clumsy	m) no longer useful or acceptable, not modern or current
3) frosty	f) exactly the same
4) plain	l) extremely silly and unreasonable
5) spongy	j) having and showing true and constant support and loyalty
6) identical	h) easy to notice or understand
7) sharp	c) cold and unfriendly
8) transparent	a) characterized by activity, excitement, or confusion
9) frail	k) relating to a belief or way of behaving that is based on fear of the unknown and faith in magic or luck
10) faithful	e) soft, elastic and full of cavities
11) superstitious	b) moving and doing things in a very bad or awkward way and tending to drop or break things
12) ridiculous	d) having no decoration
13) out-of-date	i) easily damaged or destroyed

Task 4. The author uses these adjectives to describe Susan Calvin, mankind, robots. Find them in the text and organize into three groups.

Adjectives: frosty, large, frail, clumsy, alone, not angry, colorless, superstitious, faithful, unbeautiful, plain, great, sharp, strong, useful, devoted, human, ridiculous

Susan Calvin	Mankind	Robots