A man named Jensen Huang made a company that makes special computer parts for smart machines. He says these smart machines are safe because smart people all over the world are working to make sure they are good and not bad. Some people are worried because these smart machines are being made very fast. But Jensen thinks it is good when companies try to be the best because it makes the smart machines better.

Jensen’s company is doing really well and is now one of the biggest companies. But they have a problem because the United States says they can’t sell some things to China. They are talking to the United States to follow the rules. Even though the United States and China are not getting along, Jensen’s company still needs things from countries in Asia. Jensen is also working with a place called Singapore to make a very smart machine that can talk and understand lots of words. He thinks that if they do a good job in Singapore, other places can use what they learn to do great things too.

Original news source: Confident about safety of AI: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (BBC)

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Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into teams. Give each team a word or phrase related to the article (e.g. smart machines, computer parts, United States). One person from each team will act out the word or phrase without speaking, while the rest of the team tries to guess what it is. The team that guesses correctly gets a point.

– Word Association
Instructions: Write the words “smart machines” on the board. Ask the students to brainstorm and write down as many words as they can think of that are associated with smart machines. After a few minutes, have the students share their words and discuss why they chose them.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Give each student a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Choose a vocabulary word from the article (e.g. Singapore, company, rules) and tell the students to draw a picture that represents that word. They should not write any words or letters on their drawing. After a few minutes, have the students share their drawings and guess each other’s words.

– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a copy of the article. Set a timer for 3 minutes and tell the students to read the article together. When the timer goes off, one student from each pair will have 1 minute to summarize the article to their partner. After both students have had a turn, they can compare their summaries and discuss any differences.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Write the question “Do you think smart machines are a good thing?” on the board. Have the students stand up and move to one side of the room if they agree with the statement, and the other side if they disagree. Ask a few students from each side to explain their reasons for their opinion. Then, have the students switch sides and repeat the process with a different question related to the article.

Comprehension Questions:

1. Who is Jensen Huang?
2. What does Jensen’s company make?
3. Are smart machines safe?
4. Why are some people worried about smart machines?
5. Is Jensen’s company doing well?
6. Why does Jensen’s company have a problem with the United States?
7. What is Jensen working on with Singapore?
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Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A man named Jensen Huang made a company that (1)______ special computer parts for smart machines. He says these smart machines are (2)______ because smart people all over the world are working to make sure they are good and not bad. Some people are worried because these smart machines are being made very fast. But (3)______ thinks it is good when companies try to be the best because it makes the smart machines better.

Jensen’s company is (4)______ really well and is now one of the biggest companies. But they have a problem because the United States says they can’t sell some things to China. They are (5)______ to the United States to follow the (6)______. Even though the United States and China are not getting along, Jensen’s company still needs things from countries in Asia. Jensen is also working with a place called Singapore to make a very smart machine that can talk and understand lots of words. He thinks that if they do a good job in Singapore, other (7)______ can use what they learn to do (8)______ things too.
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Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a smart machine?
2. How would you feel if you had a smart machine at home?
3. Do you think it’s important for companies to try to be the best? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about the United States and China not getting along?
5. Do you like learning about different countries? Why or why not?
6. What kind of things do you think Jensen’s company needs from countries in Asia?
7. How would you feel if you couldn’t sell something you made to someone else?
8. Do you think it’s important for machines to be able to talk and understand words? Why or why not?
9. What do you think other places can learn from Singapore?
10. Do you think smart machines are good or bad? Why or why not?
11. What kind of jobs do you think people have in Jensen’s company?
12. How would you feel if you were working on making a very smart machine?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. company
2. smart
3. machines
4. safe
5. worried
6. fast
7. problem
8. rules
9. understand
10. learn

Meanings:
(A) To get knowledge or skills from something
(B) To know what someone is saying or what something means
(C) Something that is very clever and can do things on its own
(D) A group of people who work together to make or sell things
(E) Not in danger or harm
(F) Things that are made by people and can do tasks
(G) Feeling scared or nervous about something
(H) Something that is difficult and needs to be fixed
(I) Moving or happening quickly
(J) Things that you have to follow
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Who made a company that makes special computer parts for smart machines?
(a) John Smith
(b) Jensen Huang
(c) Sarah Johnson
(d) Emily Brown

2. Why are some people worried about smart machines?
(a) They are being made very fast
(b) They are too expensive
(c) They are not useful
(d) They are not safe

3. What does Jensen think about companies trying to be the best?
(a) It makes smart machines better
(b) It makes smart machines worse
(c) It doesn’t matter
(d) He doesn’t have an opinion

4. What problem does Jensen’s company have?
(a) They can’t sell anything to China
(b) They can’t sell some things to China
(c) They can’t sell anything to the United States
(d) They can’t sell anything to Asia

5. Who is Jensen’s company talking to about the problem?
(a) China
(b) Singapore
(c) Asia
(d) The United States

6. Who is Jensen working with to make a very smart machine?
(a) China
(b) The United States
(c) Singapore
(d) Asia

7. What does Jensen think will happen if they do a good job in Singapore?
(a) No one will care
(b) Singapore will become the best place for smart machines
(c) Other places can use what they learn to do great things too
(d) Jensen’s company will become the biggest in the world

8. What does Jensen’s company make?
(a) Toys for children
(b) Food for animals
(c) Clothes for people
(d) Special computer parts for smart machines

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Jensen’s company is now one of the smallest companies.
2. Jensen’s company still needs things from countries in Asia, even though the United States and China are not getting along.
3. Jensen Huang started a company that makes special computer parts for smart machines.
4. Jensen believes it is bad when companies try to be the best because it makes the smart machines worse.
5. Some people are worried because the smart machines are being made very fast.
6. Smart people all over the world are not working to make sure the smart machines are good and not bad.
7. Jensen is talking to the United States to follow the rules.
8. The United States says Jensen’s company can sell some things to China.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Who made a company that makes special computer parts for smart machines?
2. Are smart machines safe?
3. Why are some people worried about smart machines being made very fast?
4. Is Jensen’s company doing well?
5. Who is Jensen working with to make a very smart machine?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Who is Jensen Huang?
Jensen Huang is a man who started a company.

2. What does Jensen’s company make?
Jensen’s company makes special computer parts for smart machines.

3. Are smart machines safe?
Yes, smart machines are safe because smart people are working to make sure they are good.

4. Why are some people worried about smart machines?
Some people are worried because smart machines are being made very fast.

5. Is Jensen’s company doing well?
Yes, Jensen’s company is doing well and is now one of the biggest companies.

6. Why does Jensen’s company have a problem with the United States?
Jensen’s company has a problem with the United States because they can’t sell some things to China, and they need things from countries in Asia.

7. What is Jensen working on with Singapore?
Jensen is working with Singapore to make a very smart machine that can talk and understand lots of words.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) makes
(2) safe
(3) Jensen
(4) doing
(5) talking
(6) rules
(7) places
(8) great
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Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. company
Answer: (D) A group of people who work together to make or sell things

2. smart
Answer: (C) Something that is very clever and can do things on its own

3. machines
Answer: (F) Things that are made by people and can do tasks

4. safe
Answer: (E) Not in danger or harm

5. worried
Answer: (G) Feeling scared or nervous about something

6. fast
Answer: (I) Moving or happening quickly

7. problem
Answer: (H) Something that is difficult and needs to be fixed

8. rules
Answer: (J) Things that you have to follow

9. understand
Answer: (B) To know what someone is saying or what something means

10. learn
Answer: (A) To get knowledge or skills from something
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Who made a company that makes special computer parts for smart machines?
Answer: (b) Jensen Huang

2. Why are some people worried about smart machines?
Answer: (a) They are being made very fast

3. What does Jensen think about companies trying to be the best?
Answer: (a) It makes smart machines better

4. What problem does Jensen’s company have?
Answer: (b) They can’t sell some things to China

5. Who is Jensen’s company talking to about the problem?
Answer: (d) The United States

6. Who is Jensen working with to make a very smart machine?
Answer: (c) Singapore

7. What does Jensen think will happen if they do a good job in Singapore?
Answer: (c) Other places can use what they learn to do great things too

8. What does Jensen’s company make?
Answer: (d) Special computer parts for smart machines
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Jensen’s company is now one of the smallest companies. (Answer: False)
2. Jensen’s company still needs things from countries in Asia, even though the United States and China are not getting along. (Answer: True)
3. Jensen Huang started a company that makes special computer parts for smart machines. (Answer: True)
4. Jensen believes it is bad when companies try to be the best because it makes the smart machines worse. (Answer: False)
5. Some people are worried because the smart machines are being made very fast. (Answer: True)
6. Smart people all over the world are not working to make sure the smart machines are good and not bad. (Answer: False)
7. Jensen is talking to the United States to follow the rules. (Answer: True)
8. The United States says Jensen’s company can sell some things to China. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧