Scientists say that a new kind of robot can reproduce – it can create baby robots. This is an example of science fiction becoming science fact. The scientists, from the Universities of Vermont, Tufts and Harvard, created the world’s first “living” robots. They are called “xenobots”. Scientists created them in 2020 from the stem cells of an African frog. Its scientific name – “xenopus laevis” – gave the xenobot its name. The xenobots are less than a millimetre wide. They can move, work together in groups and self-heal. Although they are not what we imagine robots to be, scientists say they are technically robots. They are a machine-animal hybrid. The scientists say xenobots are “an entirely new life-form”
STEP 1 | Reading | Read the following passage about a campus situation.
University Tutoring System
The new university tutoring system begins on August 22. Students will no longer have face-to-face tutoring sessions. Instead, an online tutoring system will be implemented. The computer-based r tutoring system will allow students to receive tutoring help twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, instead of only during regular school hours, Students will benefit from expanded access to tutors. Also, the computer-based system will relieve students of stress from the crowded tutoring centers. Students will no longer need to be present on campus for tutoring. They will be able to access the computer-based system from any computer with an Internet connection.
STEP 2 | Comprehending 読解力テスト | Answer the following questions to make sure you understand the reading
1 What is the notice about?
2 What is the first reason for the new tutoring system?
3 According to the notice, how will it benefit the students?
4 What is another reason for the new tutoring system?
5 According to the notice, how will it benefit the students?
1 Issue __________________________
2 First reason __________________________
3 Details ____________________
4 Second reason ____________________
5 Details _________________________
Comprehending 解答例
1 . The notice is about how the university will change from
face -to-face tutoring to a computer-based tutoring
system.
2. One reason for the changes is that only offering
tutoring services during regular school hours is not
enough for the students.
3. Students will have access to tutoring twenty-four
hours a day, seven days a week.
4. Another advantage for the change in the tutoring
system is that it will eliminate crowded, stressful
tutoring centers.
5. Students will be able to access the tutoring network
from any computer with the Internet connection.
▮ Listen
STEP 3 | Listening & Note Taking | Listen to a conversation on the same topic, and take notes.
スクリプト
M: This new tutoring system will be great.
W: I’m not so sure about that.
M: Really? What do you mean?
W: First of all, a lot of students don’t even know how to
type very fast. Some cannot even type at all. This will
make the tutoring sessions really slow.
M: Right. Typing skills will be really important.
W: Sure they will. When students are tutored face to
face, they don’t have to worry about typing though.
They can just focus all of their energy on what they’r
learning. I think that’s more efficient.
M: You may be right.
W: There’s something else, too. Students must have
a good computer at home in order to access the
computer-based system. Many students will have to
upgrade their current computer or even buy a new
one. I know a lot of students who don’t even have a
computer at home. It will be very expensive for a lot
of students to get access to tutoring now.
M: That’s a good point.
W: I think it might be better to stick with the old system.
Q The woman expresses her opinion of the new computer-based tutoring system. State her opinion and explain the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.
STEP 4 | Organizing 解答の組み立て | Ask yourself the following questions and organize your ideas.
1 What is the woman’s opinion of the new tutoring system?
2 What does the woman say about students’ typing skills?
3 Why is this important to the new tutoring system?
4 What does the woman say about computers?
5 Why does she think it will be difficult for some students to buy new computer?
STEP 6 | Compare 比較 | Listen to a sample response, and compare it with yours.
Sample Response 模範解答
The notice describes a new university tutoring system.The woman is against the university’s decision to replace face-to-face tutoring with a computer-based tutoring system. First, she believes that students will require excellent typing skills in order to take advantage of the new tutoring system. However, she states that many students lack the ability to type well enough, so the new tutoring system will be much slower than the face-to-face system. To her, the inability to type well will hinder the learning process for some students. Second of all, she believes many students will have to upgrade their computers or even buy new ones. According to the woman, this will be very expensive for many students. She believes the former face-to-face method of tutoring is better for students than the new computer-based tutoring system.
Scientists create living robots that can have babies.
Scientists say that a new kind of robot can reproduce – it can create baby robots. This is an example of science fiction becoming science fact. The scientists, from the Universities of Vermont, Tufts and Harvard, created the world’s first “living” robots. They are called “xenobots”. Scientists created them in 2020 from the stem cells of an African frog. Its scientific name – “xenopus laevis” – gave the xenobot its name. The xenobots are less than a millimetre wide. They can move, work together in groups and self-heal. Although they are not what we imagine robots to be, scientists say they are technically robots. They are a machine-animal hybrid. The scientists say xenobots are “an entirely new life-form”