GRADE – VIII SUB – ENGLISH

Lesson No. – 3. Robot in the House

By – Dilip M. Salwi
About the Author:
Dilip M Salwi is a Delhi based science writer and a winner of several national awards and fellowships for
popularizing science. He has also written science fictions and plays involving science and scientists. Several of
his books including Scientists of India, The Robots Are Coming and Folk Tales of Science are bestsellers.
Concept Map:

Characters:
Problem Raised:
1. Ajay
2. Ajay’s Father Ajay wanted that Manku, the
3. Dinesh (Friend) robot should not intervene in their
4. Tariq (Friend) household discussions and Manku
5. Manku, The Robot should know diplomacy and use
human feelings and understading.

The Three
Questions

Outcome:
1.Value of Honesty and
Truth
2. Use of science and
technology
3. Dependence of humans
& self-cantered nature
Solution:
Ajay phoned Robotics
International and complained
about the Manku. Robotics
International informed Ajay that
Setting/Plot: they would take away Manku
Ajay’s House from their home. At last, Ajay
Robotics International realized his mistake.

Glossary:
Implacable- not wishing to stop opposing somebody
Tele tennis – (here) tennis played on television using wireless joystick
Holograph-special type of three-dimensional image that seems real
Exasperations- irritation or annoyance
Vehemently- in a strong and emotional way
Diplomacy-skill in dealing with people without offending or upsetting them
Textual Questions and Answers:
A1. Choose the correct options to answer the questions:
1. B
2. C
3. A
4. B

A2. Answer these questions:

1. Why was Ajay angry with the robot in the morning?
Ans: Ajay had not completed his homework, while he was lying to his father, the robot said the truth. This
made Ajay angry at him.
2. What were the activities that the Manku robot could do?
Ans: Manku could help the family with domestic work by following clear instructions. They were programmed
to respond to clear honest statements of fact.
3. Why was the robot confused when Ajay told it he was not there?
Ans: The robot was confused because he could see Ajay in front of him.
4.Why did Ajay take Trariq into his room?
Ans: Ajay took Tariq to his room because the robot would interfere in their conversation.
5. What did the man from the Robotics International decide to do when Ajay complained?
Ans: The man from Robotics International decided to withdraw their services from Ajay's home.

A3. Think and Answer:

1. How do you think Ajay’s father knew Ajay was lying?
Ans: Ajay's father knew he had not done his homework because his terminal was not in use and the robot
confirmed the fact.
2. Why do you think Tariq just smiled and laughed at the scene at Ajay’s house?
Ans: Tariq just smiled and laughed at the scene at Ajay's house because the conversation between Ajay and
the robot seemed entertaining to him.
3. Imagine you worked at the firm that made Manku. How would you respond to the call?
Ans: From a seller's perspective I would explain to Ajay how robot’s function. They respond to what they
see, hear and the data that has been fed to them. Human behaviour which includes anger, diplomacy,
cannot be comprehended by them.
4. Do you think the Manku robot faced a threat living Ajay’s house? Give reason to your answer.
Ans: It could be a threat at some level. For example, someday in anger if Ajay would tell the robot
something wrong and the robot would follow the command, because robots cannot reason what is right
and wrong. They just follow instructions.
EXTEND
G. Write an article for your school magazine on the topic, "Use of Technology in Education”.
Use of Technology in Education
: By - XYZ
Almost every sector in life today is driven by technology, agriculture to animation, exercise machine to even
education! Who would have taught that once a teacher driven class which included explanation of lessons
verbally and in writing are now transformed into interesting learning through technology? Technology provides
students with easy-to-access information, accelerated learning, and fun opportunities to practice what they
learn. It enables students to explore new subjects and deepen their understanding of difficult concepts,
particularly in STEM. The use of power point presentations, audio-visuals, varied types of games have made
teaching and learning an effective and productive affair. The students, too are equipped with latest technology
such as the creation of own web page, use of Scratch programmes, etc. The use of iPads/ tabs to learn and play
educative games, too, has gained popularity. Education has never been this interesting, all thanks to technology!
The main problem concerning pedagogical technology is their efficiency. It is caused by several objectives. The
main one is that pedagogical technology exists in structural and material forms while explicit knowledge about
these structures is scarce and poorly systematized.