A company in California is making a special robot arm that can move like a real arm. It uses smart computer stuff and tiny machines to work. This robot arm can be put on easily and is not heavy. It can move like a real arm, all the way from the shoulder to the fingers. The company wants to sell it for less money than other robot arms, so more people can buy it.

But, making this robot arm costs a lot of money, and some people might not be able to afford it. The company hopes to make it cheaper so more people can use it. Not everyone might want or need this robot arm. There are also some big questions about making and using robot arms. The company is still working on making the robot arm better and making sure it is safe to use.

Original news source: The ‘mind-bending’ bionic arm powered by AI (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a set of cards with different actions written on them (e.g. wave, clap, eat, drink). One person from each group will pick a card and act out the action without speaking. The rest of the group must guess what action they are acting out.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Ask the class if they think having a robot arm is a good idea or not. Have them raise their hands to vote. Then, divide the class into pairs and have them discuss their reasons for their opinion. After a few minutes, have a few pairs share their opinions with the class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board (e.g. robot arm, computer, machine, shoulder, fingers). Divide the class into pairs. One person from each pair will choose a word and draw a picture of it, while the other person tries to guess the word. They can only use drawings, no speaking allowed.

– Keyword Hangman
Instructions: Write a sentence from the article on the board, but with some keywords missing (e.g. A company in ________ is making a special ________ arm that can move like a real arm). Divide the class into small groups. One person from each group will come to the board and guess a letter. If the letter is in one of the missing keywords, write it in the correct place. If the letter is not in any of the missing keywords, draw one part of a hangman. The group must guess the missing keywords before the hangman is completed.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Ask the class to think about one question related to the article (e.g. Do you think robot arms will become common in the future?). Give them a few minutes to think silently. Then, have them pair up with a partner and discuss their thoughts. Finally, have a few pairs share their ideas with the class.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the robot arm made of?
2. Can the robot arm move like a real arm?
3. Why does the company want to sell the robot arm for less money?
4. Why can’t everyone afford the robot arm?
5. What is the company doing to make the robot arm cheaper?
6. Do all people want or need the robot arm?
7. What is the company doing to make sure the robot arm is safe to use?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A company in California is making a (1)______ robot arm that can (2)______ like a real arm. It uses smart computer stuff and tiny machines to work. This robot arm can be put on easily and is not heavy. It can move like a real arm, all the way from the shoulder to the (3)______. The company wants to sell it for less money than other robot arms, so (4)______ people can buy it.

But, making this robot arm costs a lot of money, and some (5)______ might not be able to afford it. The company (6)______ to make it cheaper so more people can use it. Not everyone might want or need this robot arm. There are also some big questions about making and using robot (7)______. The company is still working on making the robot arm better and making (8)______ it is safe to use.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a robot arm?
2. How would you feel if you had a robot arm?
3. Do you think it would be fun to have a robot arm? Why or why not?
4. Do you like the idea of a robot arm that can move like a real arm? Why or why not?
5. What do you think about the company wanting to sell the robot arm for less money?
6. Do you think it’s important for more people to be able to afford the robot arm? Why or why not?
7. What are some things you could do with a robot arm?
8. Do you think everyone needs a robot arm? Why or why not?
9. How do you think the robot arm works?
10. What are some big questions about making and using robot arms?
11. Do you think the company will be able to make the robot arm better and safer to use? Why or why not?
12. Why do you think the company is working on making the robot arm cheaper?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. robot
2. arm
3. California
4. computer
5. machines
6. shoulder
7. fingers
8. sell
9. afford
10. safe

Meanings:
(A) The top part of your arm, where it connects to your body
(B) A pretend person or thing that can move or do tasks
(C) A smart box that helps us find things on the internet or play games
(D) Things that help us do work, like washing clothes or moving things
(E) Being able to buy something because you have enough money
(F) The part of your body that connects your hand to your shoulder
(G) Not dangerous; you won’t get hurt
(H) A sunny place with lots of beaches
(I) The end parts of your hands that you use to pick up things
(J) To give something to someone else, and they give you money for it
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the robot arm made of?
(a) Wood and metal
(b) Plastic and rubber
(c) Paper and glue
(d) Smart computer stuff and tiny machines

2. Where can the robot arm be put?
(a) In the ocean
(b) Easily
(c) On top of a mountain
(d) Inside a box

3. What does the company want to do with the price of the robot arm?
(a) Sell it for less money
(b) Sell it for more money
(c) Give it away for free
(d) Keep the price the same

4. Why does the company want to make the robot arm cheaper?
(a) So fewer people can buy it
(b) So they can make more money
(c) So more people can buy it
(d) So they can make less money

5. Who might not be able to afford the robot arm?
(a) Everyone
(b) Some people
(c) No one
(d) Only rich people

6. What is the company still working on?
(a) Making the robot arm better and safer
(b) Making the robot arm worse and dangerous
(c) Making the robot arm heavier and more expensive
(d) Making the robot arm disappear

7. What are some big questions about making and using robot arms?
(a) There are no questions
(b) There are some questions
(c) We don’t know
(d) There are many questions

8. What is the company’s hope for the robot arm?
(a) That no one can use it
(b) That it will break easily
(c) That it will be very expensive
(d) That more people can use it

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The company has completed the improvements to make the robot arm more efficient and secure for users.
2. The company aims to price the robot arm competitively compared to other similar products.
3. The company does not plan to make the robot arm more affordable to increase its accessibility.
4. A company in California is making a special robot arm that moves like a real arm.
5. It is possible that everyone can afford the robot arm.
6. Making the robot arm costs a lot of money.
7. It can move like a real arm from the shoulder to the fingers.
8. The robot arm is not heavy and can be put on easily.
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. What is the robot arm made of?
2. Can the robot arm move like a real arm?
3. Why does the company want to sell the robot arm for less money?
4. What is the problem with making the robot arm cheaper?
5. What is the company doing to make the robot arm better and safer to use?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the robot arm made of?
The robot arm is made of smart computer stuff and tiny machines.

2. Can the robot arm move like a real arm?
Yes, the robot arm can move like a real arm, all the way from the shoulder to the fingers.

3. Why does the company want to sell the robot arm for less money?
The company wants to sell the robot arm for less money so that more people can buy it.

4. Why can’t everyone afford the robot arm?
The robot arm costs a lot of money, so some people might not be able to afford it.

5. What is the company doing to make the robot arm cheaper?
The company is working on making the robot arm cheaper so that more people can use it.

6. Do all people want or need the robot arm?
Not all people want or need the robot arm. Some people might not find it useful.

7. What is the company doing to make sure the robot arm is safe to use?
The company is working on making the robot arm better and making sure it is safe to use.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) special
(2) move
(3) fingers
(4) more
(5) people
(6) hopes
(7) arms
(8) sure
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. robot
Answer: (B) A pretend person or thing that can move or do tasks

2. arm
Answer: (F) The part of your body that connects your hand to your shoulder

3. California
Answer: (H) A sunny place with lots of beaches

4. computer
Answer: (C) A smart box that helps us find things on the internet or play games

5. machines
Answer: (D) Things that help us do work, like washing clothes or moving things

6. shoulder
Answer: (A) The top part of your arm, where it connects to your body

7. fingers
Answer: (I) The end parts of your hands that you use to pick up things

8. sell
Answer: (J) To give something to someone else, and they give you money for it

9. afford
Answer: (E) Being able to buy something because you have enough money

10. safe
Answer: (G) Not dangerous; you won’t get hurt
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the robot arm made of?
Answer: (d) Smart computer stuff and tiny machines

2. Where can the robot arm be put?
Answer: (b) Easily

3. What does the company want to do with the price of the robot arm?
Answer: (a) Sell it for less money

4. Why does the company want to make the robot arm cheaper?
Answer: (c) So more people can buy it

5. Who might not be able to afford the robot arm?
Answer: (b) Some people

6. What is the company still working on?
Answer: (a) Making the robot arm better and safer

7. What are some big questions about making and using robot arms?
Answer: (c) We don’t know

8. What is the company’s hope for the robot arm?
Answer: (d) That more people can use it
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The company has completed the improvements to make the robot arm more efficient and secure for users. (Answer: False)
2. The company aims to price the robot arm competitively compared to other similar products. (Answer: False)
3. The company does not plan to make the robot arm more affordable to increase its accessibility. (Answer: False)
4. A company in California is making a special robot arm that moves like a real arm. (Answer: True)
5. It is possible that everyone can afford the robot arm. (Answer: False)
6. Making the robot arm costs a lot of money. (Answer: True)
7. It can move like a real arm from the shoulder to the fingers. (Answer: True)
8. The robot arm is not heavy and can be put on easily. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧