Benefits of Robots in Society

Which detail from the text develops the central idea that robots are showing their benefits currently?

• He and Murphy, who is regarded as a founder of the field of rescue robotics, are working together to design a rescue robot that is user friendly.

• The National Science Foundation (NSF) has funded the three-year project with a $1.2 million grant shared by the two universities as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

• The researchers hope to improve the devices in ways that will make them more valuable to law enforcement, such as hostage negotiation, as well as in emergency response situations, where they already are in use.

• It is a new robot head that the researchers hope will be able to perform any web-based activity, as well as two-way video conferencing, and the ability to play music and television, among other things.

How does Marlene Cimons connect the concept of the social brain in people to the creation of rescue robots?

• The author shows that people treat rescue robots and computers the same way they treat humans.

• The author discusses the pitfalls of early rescue robot prototypes, which were mechanically primitive.

• The author reveals that the collaboration between Nass and Murphy led to unusual research on rescue robots.

• The author explains that researchers hope to make rescue robots more valuable to law enforcement and in emergency response situations.

What does the phrase "social graces" mean in paragraph 2?

• amount of effort

• variety of insults

• type of manners

• method of communication

How does the author use relevant evidence to support the claim that people think rescue robots are "creepy"?

• by describing real-life occurrences that have utilized the robots

• by comparing the rescue robots to those created by Pixar

• by describing the robot characteristics that people do not like

• by revealing victims’ reactions to personal encounters with the robots

How does the author use paragraph 8 to develop the idea of rescue robots in the text?

• by listing the engineers’ contributions to robot technology

• by explaining how law enforcement can utilize the robots

• by describing the emotional stress of victims in need of rescue

• by showing how scientists plan to create a more pleasing robot

What does the word burgeoning mean in paragraph 9?

• growing

• shrinking

• frustrating

• steadying

Why does the author include the reference to Pixar in paragraph 12?

• It is a big company with a lot of monetary assets to speed up development.

• It has made a humorous movie about robots and already has an available prototype.

• It specializes in entertainment, and the web-based applications are designed to alleviate boredom.

• It has experience creating family-friendly characters, so it excels in knowing what is not threatening.

How do the quotations from Clifford I. Nass throughout the text advance the author’s purpose?

• The quotes provide support for the limitations of primitive technology.

• The quotes provide expert insight on socially appropriate rescue robots.

• The quotes provide credibility about the ups and downs of operating in the emergency response market.

• The quotes provide an opposing opinion on the field research used in rescue missions.

Which detail does the author include to create a sense of mystery around the tale of Solomon's Mines?

• I heard this, I answered, and I have never mentioned it to a soul till today.

• I see they have come across these workings again lately in prospecting for gold, but I knew of them years ago.

• I was, I remember, listening open-eared to all these wonders, for I was young at the time.

• I heard something more definite about Suliman's Mountains and the country which lies beyond them.

What does the phrase "you passing your word" mean in paragraph 4?

• The narrator asks the listeners to promise to tell his story to others.

• The narrator wants the listeners to promise to keep his story a secret.

• The narrator believes that his experiences must be shared with the world.

• The narrator feels loyalty toward anyone who chooses to seek the treasure.