Robots and Us - IELTS Reading Answers [ explained ]

       Robots and Us IELTS Reading  Answers & Explanation

                      

In this post, you'll find the complete solution and explanation for Test 3  reading passage 3 Robots and us from the IELTS Book Cambridge 20. Each answer is explained in the easiest possible way, along with the answer location and Hard vocabulary from the passage. This is perfect for students who want to understand not just the correct answers, but why they are correct, helping you improve your IELTS Reading skills with every practice test.

Questions 27- 33: Match the statement with the correct person

27   For our own safety, humans will need to restrict the abilities of robots. Answer: A

Keywords: own safety, restrict, the abilities of robots

Answer Location: 7th Paragraph,Lines. I think we should ensure that robots remain as no more than "idiot savants" lacking the capacity to outwit us, even though they may greatly surpass us in the ability to calculate and process information.

28. The risk of robots harming us is less serious than humans believe it to be. Answer: C

Keywords: risk, robot harming = threat, less serious

Answer Location: 9th Paragraph ( Answering 3rd question) , Lines: 'We need to ask why fears of artificial intelligence and robots persist; none have in fact risen up and challenged human supremacy.' She believes that as robots have never shown themselves to be a threat to humans, it seems unlikely that they ever will. In fact, she went on, 'Not all fear [robots]; many people welcome machine intelligence.'

29. It will take many decades for robot intelligence to be as imaginative as human intelligence.

Answer: B

Keywords: many decades = 50 years,, imaginative = identify visual objects...., 

Answer location: 5th Paragraph ( Answering 2nd question), lines. However, no machine can identify visual objects or speech with the reliability and flexibility of humans.... Expecting a machine close to the creative intelligence of a human within the next 50 years would be highly ambitious.

30. We may have to start considering whether we are treating robots fairly. Answer: A

Keywords: considering, treating robot fairly

Answer location: 4th paragraph,(Answering 2nd question), Lines, Moral questions then arise. ... Should we feel guilty about exploiting [sophisticated robots]? Should we fret if they are underemployed, frustrated, or bored?'

31. Robots are probably of more help to us on Earth than in space. Answer: B

Keywords: more help, pressing need.

Answer location: 2nd Paragraph ( Answering 1st Question) , Lines: Professor Daniel Wolpert replied, 'I don't see a pressing need to colonise other planets unless we can bring [these] resources back to Earth. The vast majority of Earth is currently inaccessible to us. Using robots to gather resources nearer to home would seem to be a better use of our robotic tools.'

32. The ideas in high-quality science fiction may prove to be just as accurate as those found in the work of mediocre scientists. Answer: A

Keywords:high-quality=first-rate,accurate= more stimulating

Answer Location: 10th Paragraph, (Answering 4th question), Lines, Rees replied, 'I sometimes advise students that it's better to read first-rate science fiction than second-rate science, more stimulating, and perhaps no more likely to be wrong.'

33. There are those who look forward to robots developing greater intelligence. Answer: C

Keywords: many people, greater intelligence

Answer Location: 9th Paragraph,( Answering Third Question ), Lines. She believes that, as robots have never shown themselves to be a threat to humans, it seems unlikely that they ever will. In fact, she went on, 'Not all fear [robots]; many people welcome machine intelligence.'

34-36   Complete the sentence with the correct ending

34 Richardson and Rees express similar views regarding the ethical aspect of. Answer: C

Keywords: ethical aspect,

Answer Location: Paragraphs 1 & 3 ( Answering 1st question) , Lines, He maintains that colonised planets should be preserved with a status that is analogous to Antarctica here on Earth.'......

the idea of 'colonisation' of other planets seemed morally dubious: 'I think whether we do something on Earth or on Mars, we should always do it in the spirit of a genuine interest in "the Other", not to impose a particular model, but to meet "the Other".

35 Rees and Wolpert share an opinion about the extent of, Answer: B

Keywords: Current limit, Rees and Wolpert,

Answer Location: Paragraph 3&4 ( Answering Question no 2) Lines,(Robots are still limited in their ability to sense their environment:)   (....However, no machine can identify visual objects or speech with the reliability and flexibility of humans....)

36 Wolpert disagrees with Richardson on the question of  , Answer: D

Keywords: disagree,harm already done,

Answer Location: Paragraphs 8 & 9 ( Answering 3rd questions), lines (Wolpert's response was to say that we have already seen the damaging effects of artificial intelligence in the form of computer viruses)

(Richardson's response to this question was this: 'We need to ask why fears of artificial intelligence and robots persist; none have in fact risen up and challenged human supremacy.')

37-40     MCQ ( Multiple choice questions)

37. What point does Richardson make about fear of machines? Answer: B

Keywords: fear of machine, Richardson, 

Answer location: 6th Paragraph ( Answering 2nd question) lines, it stems from humans' tendency to personify inanimate objects: we create machines based on representations of ourselves, imagine that machines think and behave as we do, and therefore see them as an autonomous threat.

38. What potential advance does Rees see as a cause for concern? Answer: C

Keywords: concern, independent thought, artificial intelligence

Answer location:7th Paragraph (Answering 3rd question) Lines, and another worry is that we are increasingly dependent on computer networks, and that these could behave like a single "brain" with a mind of its own, and with goals that may be contrary to human welfare.

39. What does Wolpert emphasise in his response to the question about science fiction? Answer: B

Keywords: science fiction genre, fundamental

Answer location: 11th Paragraph  ( Answering 4th Question), Lines, Wolpert commented, 'Science fiction has often been remarkable at predicting the future. Science fiction has painted a vivid spectrum of possible futures, from cute and helpful robots to dystopian robotic societies. Interestingly, almost no science fiction envisages a future without robots.'

40. What is Richardson doing in her comment about reality and fantasy? Answer: C

Keywords: Richardson, Change of approach,

Answer Location: 12th Paragraph, (Answering 4th question) , Lines, she said. 'In some cases, we need to bring these different understandings together to get a whole perspective. Perhaps then, we won't be so frightened that something we create as a copy of ourselves will be a [threat] to us.'

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                                       Hard vocabulary from the passage Robots and Us

Word / Phrase	Meaning (Simple)	Example Sentence
Artificial intelligence (AI)	The ability of machines to copy human thinking	AI is improving rapidly in many industries.
Autonomous	Able to work independently without human control	Autonomous cars can drive themselves.
Algorithm	A set of rules or instructions a computer follows	Search engines use algorithms to show results.
Cognition	Mental processes of learning, thinking, and understanding	Robots still lack human-like cognition.
Interaction	Communication or direct involvement with someone/something	Human–robot interaction is becoming common.
Mimic	To copy the actions or behaviour of someone/something	Robots can mimic human expressions.
Ethical	Related to what is right or wrong (morals)	The use of robots raises many ethical questions.
Inevitable	Certain to happen; unavoidable	The spread of robots seems inevitable.
Integration	The process of combining or adding into society	The integration of robots into workplaces is increasing.
Revolutionise	To completely change something in a  dramatic way	Robots could revolutionise healthcare.
Replacement	The act of taking the place of something/someone	Many fear robots will cause human job replacement.
Efficiency	Doing something well without wasting time or resources	Robots improve efficiency in factories.
Companion	A partner or friend	Robots may serve as companions for the elderly.
Anthropomorphic	Having human-like qualities or appearance	Some robots are designed to look anthropomorphic.
Unprecedented	Never done or known before	AI is growing at an unprecedented rate.
Labour-intensive	Requiring a lot of human work	Robots can take over labour-intensive jobs.
Predictable	Easy to guess or expect	Robot behaviour is usually predictable.
Controversial	Causing public disagreement or debate	The use of killer robots is highly controversial.
Automation	Use of machines to do tasks automatically	Factories rely on automation to cut costs.
Perception	The way something is understood or seen	Public perception of robots is mixed.

                

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