The boss of a big company that makes smart computer parts is sure that smart computers will be safe. He thinks that smart people all over the world will make rules and ways to keep smart computers safe. Some people are worried because smart computers are being made very fast. But the boss thinks it’s good when companies try to be the best because it helps make smart computers better.

The boss’s company is doing really well because lots of people want their smart computer parts. But they have some problems because the United States doesn’t want China to get too good at making smart computers. So, the boss’s company is talking to the United States to follow the rules about selling their parts in China. Even though the United States and China are not getting along, the boss’s company still needs parts from countries in Asia.

The boss is also working with the government in Singapore to make a big smart computer program. Singapore is a good place for his company because there are many new companies there that work with smart computers and lots of places that keep computer information safe. The boss thinks that if they do a good job in Singapore, other places and businesses can use what they learn to get better, just like big internet companies in the United States did.

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

Listen:

Slow

Normal

Fast

Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary

Instructions: In pairs, students will read the article and write a summary of the main points. They should focus on the boss’s perspective on smart computers and the challenges his company is facing. After they have written their summaries, they will share them with the class.

– Opinion Poll

Instructions: In groups of three or four, students will discuss their opinions on the boss’s views on smart computers. They should consider whether they agree or disagree with his perspective and why. Each group will then present their opinions to the class, and a class poll will be conducted to see how many students agree or disagree with the boss.

– Vocabulary Pictionary

Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Each team will take turns choosing a vocabulary word from the article and drawing it on the board. The other team must guess the word within a certain time limit. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

– Pros and Cons

Instructions: In pairs, students will create a list of pros and cons for the boss’s company and their perspective on smart computers. They should consider the advantages and disadvantages of smart computers, as well as the potential benefits and risks for the company. After they have completed their lists, they will share and discuss their ideas with the class.

– Future Predictions

Instructions: In small groups, students will discuss and make predictions about the future of smart computers and the boss’s company. They should consider how technology will continue to develop and the potential impact on society. Each group will then present their predictions to the class, and a class discussion will follow.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What does the boss of the big company think about smart computers being safe?
2. Why are some people worried about smart computers being made quickly?
3. Why is the boss’s company doing well?
4. Why does the United States not want China to be good at making smart computers?
5. Who is the boss’s company talking to about selling their parts in China?
6. Why is Singapore a good place for the boss’s company?
7. What does the boss think will happen if they do a good job in Singapore?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The boss of a big company that (1)______s smart computer parts is sure that smart computers will be safe. He (2)______ that smart (3)______ all over the world will make rules and ways to keep smart computers safe. Some people are worried because smart computers are being made very fast. But the boss thinks it’s good when companies try to be the best because it helps make smart (4)______s better.

The boss’s company is doing really well because (5)______ of people want their smart computer parts. But they have some problems because the United States doesn’t want China to get too good at making smart computers. So, the boss’s company is (6)______ to the United States to follow the rules about selling their parts in China. Even though the United States and China are not (7)______ along, the boss’s company still needs parts from countries in Asia.

The boss is also working with the government in Singapore to make a big (8)______ computer (9)______. Singapore is a good place for his company because there are many new companies there that work with smart computers and lots of (10)______ that keep computer information safe. The boss thinks that if they do a (11)______ job in Singapore, other places and (12)______ can use what they learn to get better, just like big internet companies in the United States did.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What do you think a smart computer is?
2. How would you feel if smart computers were not safe?
3. Do you like it when companies try to be the best? Why or why not?
4. What problems does the boss’s company have with China?
5. How do you think the boss’s company is talking to the United States?
6. Do you think it’s important for the boss’s company to follow the rules about selling their parts in China? Why or why not?
7. What do you think is good about Singapore for the boss’s company?
8. How do you think the boss’s company can make a big smart computer program?
9. Why do you think the boss thinks other places and businesses can use what they learn in Singapore?
10. Do you know any big internet companies in the United States? What do they do?
11. How do you think smart computers can get better?
12. Do you think it’s important for smart computers to be safe? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. smart
2. rules
3. worried
4. fast
5. problems
6. United States
7. China
8. Asia
9. government
10. Singapore
11. businesses
12. internet

Meanings:
(A) A country in East Asia
(B) A network of computers that allows people to share information and communicate with each other
(C) Feeling anxious or concerned about something
(D) Very clever or intelligent
(E) Companies or organizations that sell goods or services
(F) Happening or moving quickly
(G) The group of people who make decisions and laws for a country
(H) A continent that includes countries like Japan, India, and Thailand
(I) A country in North America
(J) Instructions that people have to follow
(K) Difficulties or challenges
(L) A small country in Southeast Asia
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What does the boss of the company think about the safety of smart computers?
(a) He thinks smart computers are dangerous.
(b) He thinks smart computers will never be safe.
(c) He thinks smart people will make rules to keep them safe.
(d) He doesn’t care about the safety of smart computers.

2. Why are some people worried about smart computers being made quickly?
(a) They think it could be too expensive.
(b) They think it could be too slow.
(c) They think it could be too small.
(d) They think it could be unsafe.

3. Why does the boss’s company have problems with selling their parts in China?
(a) China doesn’t want to buy their parts.
(b) The United States doesn’t want China to get good at making smart computers.
(c) The boss’s company doesn’t want to sell their parts in China.
(d) The boss’s company doesn’t have any parts to sell.

4. Why is Singapore a good place for the boss’s company?
(a) There are many new companies there that work with smart computers.
(b) Singapore has a lot of good food.
(c) Singapore is a big country.
(d) Singapore doesn’t have any smart computers.

5. What does the boss think other places and businesses can do if they do a good job in Singapore?
(a) They can ignore them and do their own thing.
(b) They can stop making smart computers.
(c) They can learn from them and get better.
(d) They can move to Singapore.

6. What does the boss’s company make?
(a) Smartphones.
(b) Smart computer parts.
(c) Smart cars.
(d) Smart TVs.

7. Why does the boss’s company need parts from countries in Asia?
(a) Because they are cheaper.
(b) Because they are better quality.
(c) Because they are closer.
(d) Because they are bigger.

8. What does the boss think about companies trying to be the best?
(a) He thinks it doesn’t matter.
(b) He thinks it makes smart computers worse.
(c) He thinks it’s a waste of time.
(d) He thinks it helps make smart computers better.

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. The boss’s company is unsuccessful because few people want their smart computer parts.
2. The boss is not working with the government in Singapore to create a big smart computer program, as Singapore is not a good place for his company due to its lack of new companies and places that keep computer information safe.
3. The boss’s company is in talks with the United States about following the rules for selling their parts in China.
4. Some people are worried because smart computers are being made very quickly.
5. The boss of a big company believes that smart computers will be safe because smart people all over the world will make rules and ways to keep them safe.
6. The boss believes that it is bad when companies try to be the best because it hinders the improvement of smart computers.
7. The United States is not concerned about China becoming too good at making smart computers.
8. The boss’s company needs parts from countries in Asia, even though the United States and China are not getting along.
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 does the boss of the big company believe about smart computers?
2. Why are some people worried about smart computers being made quickly?
3. Why does the boss’s company have some problems?
4. Who is the boss’s company talking to about selling their parts in China?
5. Why does the boss think it’s important to do a good job in Singapore?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What does the boss of the big company think about smart computers being safe?
The boss thinks that smart computers will be safe because smart people all over the world will make rules and ways to keep them safe.

2. Why are some people worried about smart computers being made quickly?
Some people are worried because they think that making smart computers too quickly might not give enough time to make sure they are safe.

3. Why is the boss’s company doing well?
The boss’s company is doing well because a lot of people want their smart computer parts.

4. Why does the United States not want China to be good at making smart computers?
The United States doesn’t want China to be good at making smart computers because they want to be the best and don’t want China to take their place.

5. Who is the boss’s company talking to about selling their parts in China?
The boss’s company is talking to the United States about selling their parts in China.

6. Why is Singapore a good place for the boss’s company?
Singapore is a good place for the boss’s company because there are many new companies there that work with smart computers and lots of places that keep computer information safe.

7. What does the boss think will happen if they do a good job in Singapore?
The boss thinks that if they do a good job in Singapore, other places and businesses can use what they learn to get better, just like big internet companies in the United States did.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) make
(2) thinks
(3) people
(4) computer
(5) lots
(6) talking
(7) getting
(8) smart
(9) program
(10) places
(11) good
(12) businesses
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. smart
Answer: (D) Very clever or intelligent

2. rules
Answer: (J) Instructions that people have to follow

3. worried
Answer: (C) Feeling anxious or concerned about something

4. fast
Answer: (F) Happening or moving quickly

5. problems
Answer: (K) Difficulties or challenges

6. United States
Answer: (I) A country in North America

7. China
Answer: (A) A country in East Asia

8. Asia
Answer: (H) A continent that includes countries like Japan, India, and Thailand

9. government
Answer: (G) The group of people who make decisions and laws for a country

10. Singapore
Answer: (L) A small country in Southeast Asia

11. businesses
Answer: (E) Companies or organizations that sell goods or services

12. internet
Answer: (B) A network of computers that allows people to share information and communicate with each other
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What does the boss of the company think about the safety of smart computers?
Answer: (c) He thinks smart people will make rules to keep them safe.

2. Why are some people worried about smart computers being made quickly?
Answer: (d) They think it could be unsafe.

3. Why does the boss’s company have problems with selling their parts in China?
Answer: (b) The United States doesn’t want China to get good at making smart computers.

4. Why is Singapore a good place for the boss’s company?
Answer: (a) There are many new companies there that work with smart computers.

5. What does the boss think other places and businesses can do if they do a good job in Singapore?
Answer: (c) They can learn from them and get better.

6. What does the boss’s company make?
Answer: (b) Smart computer parts.

7. Why does the boss’s company need parts from countries in Asia?
Answer: (a) Because they are cheaper.

8. What does the boss think about companies trying to be the best?
Answer: (d) He thinks it helps make smart computers better.
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. The boss’s company is unsuccessful because few people want their smart computer parts. (Answer: False)
2. The boss is not working with the government in Singapore to create a big smart computer program, as Singapore is not a good place for his company due to its lack of new companies and places that keep computer information safe. (Answer: False)
3. The boss’s company is in talks with the United States about following the rules for selling their parts in China. (Answer: True)
4. Some people are worried because smart computers are being made very quickly. (Answer: True)
5. The boss of a big company believes that smart computers will be safe because smart people all over the world will make rules and ways to keep them safe. (Answer: True)
6. The boss believes that it is bad when companies try to be the best because it hinders the improvement of smart computers. (Answer: False)
7. The United States is not concerned about China becoming too good at making smart computers. (Answer: False)
8. The boss’s company needs parts from countries in Asia, even though the United States and China are not getting along. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧