Unit 2 Robots

What is the short story about that we learned in the previous lessons? Do you know who the writer is? Do you know anything about him? Lead-in

艾萨克 · 阿西莫夫 Isaac Asimov, ( ) was a Russian-born American author and professor of biochemistry, a highly successful writer, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books. Asimov is widely considered a master of the science-fiction genre( 体裁 ).

Famous quotes by Isaac Asimov: I write for the same reason: I breathe - because if I didn't, I would die. If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them. Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what's right.

A Biography of Isaac Asimov

Skimming Use at most two words to sum up the main idea of each paragraph. Para 1: General introduction Para 2: Birth & death Para 3: Growth & development Para 4: Writing Para 5: Works Para 6: Marriage

Scanning Scan the text and complete the timeline in Exercise 1.

DateEvent 1920Born in Russia. 1922Sister born Moved with family to New York. Parents bought a candy store Started working in the candy store. Mother had her third child. 1931Started to take himself seriously as a writer Began having stories published in science fiction magazines. 1941Gained master's degree in chemistry. 1942Finished working in the candy store. Got married － 1945 Worked as a junior chemist ， Philadelphia Navy Yard.

DateEvent 1948Got his PhD in chemistry Became a biochemistry teacher, Boston University School of Medicine Published his first novel. Published I, Robot. Developed three laws for robots － 1953 Published the Foundation trilogy and won an award for it Published first science book Became a full-time writer. 1973Divorced his first wife. Married for a second time Had a blood transfusion.Became infected with HIV. 1992Died in New York.

Language points 1. 以 … 最出名 be best known for 2. 寻找 search for 3. 作为 … 的结果，因为 as a result of 4. 大约 or so 5. 帮忙 help out 6. 他的写作天赋 his talent for writing 7. 认真对待 …take … seriously 8. 发表故事 have stories published 9. 他的一生中 throughout his life 10. 大体上以 … 为基础 be loosely based on 11. 结婚 be/get married

Discussion Issac Asimov developed three laws for robots.The first law was ： “A robot must not injure human beings or allow them to be injured.” In groups, discuss what the other two laws might be.Write them down on a piece of paper.Then exchange your opinions with other groups.

Asimov’s Laws For Robots First Law A robot must not injure human beings or allow them to be injured. Second Law A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings(as long as human beings are not injured). Third Law A robot must protect its own existence (as long as human beings are not injured; and as long as the robot does not disobey human beings)

Discuss Asimov's three laws for robots and exchange their opinions with each other. Are you for or against Asimov’s three laws for robots? Discussion

Writing Write a short summary of Asimov’s life. Follow the steps below. 1.Look back at the timeline of Asimov’s life. 2.Underline the most important parts of his life that made him a great writer of science fiction. This can serve as the outline of a summary 3.Begin by giving your assessment of Asimov as a writer. Then write down the important parts you have underlined. 4.Use a clear simple style to write a profile for Isaac Asimov.

Homework Write a short summary of Asimov's life in 150 － 200 words.