The robots of the future
Science Center
Read 1a and answer the following questions.
1) When was the first robot invented?
2) What can robots do for us?
Let’s have a discussion!
1. Where can we see robots?
2. What other things can robots do?
3. Do you think robots will become popular in every family? Why or  why not?
4. Do you think robots will take the place of humans in workplace?
Language points
1. sure adj. 确信,必然的,必定的。
            adv. 当然,确实地,无疑地。
    be sure to do sth.
    肯定要做某事; 一定要做某事
e.g. Sure. What can I do for you?        当然可以了。我能帮你做什么呢？
       It is sure to rain. 肯定要下雨。
2. appear v.
   出现, 显露; 似乎, 看来好像
e.g. Gradually a smile appeared on her face. 她脸上渐渐地露出笑容。
    It appears that he is very tired.   他似乎很累了。
3. take the place of … 代替, 取代
    take place 发生
e.g. It would be difficult to find a man to  take the place of the secretary.         找一个代替秘书的人会很难的。
       The meeting will take place soon.   会议即将举行。
4. instead of  代替, 而不是......
e.g. I will go instead of you.  我替你去。
       He had a glass of water instead of tea. 他喝了杯水而没有喝茶。
【拓展】instead也有“代替, 顶替”之意,
但两者的用法有区别。
(1) instead用作副词, 通常位于句末, 说明用来顶替的人或物。
e.g. Tony isn’t here. Let his father go instead.                                              托尼不在这儿, 让他爸爸替他去吧。
(2) instead of后面必须接宾语, 说明被代替的人或物。
e.g. We’ll ask Li Mei instead of Mary.          我们要去问李梅而不问玛丽。
Read 1a again and write down what
you think robots can do
better than humans.
I am sure robots can work faster than humans.
I am sure robots can cook for us.
I am sure robots can clean our house.
I am sure robots can repair machines.