Name: Date:
Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Grade 8 1 Individuality and Technology
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A School for Robots
short story by Sauro Marianelli
translated by Edith Calzolari
1 There was once a school without a single living student; the principal got his pupils from a robot factory instead.
He boasted that these little robots were quite perfect, technically, and he never missed an opportunity to show
how easy it was to make them work. Simply by pressing a row of buttons on their shoulders, beneath their
sweaters, one could make them do exactly what was needed. In short, they could be programmed to behave in a
certain way and were absolutely guaranteed to work.
2 There was even a metal plate on each one, next to the buttons, which said: Manufactured in accordance with
existing laws.
3 You can understand why, in a school devoted to perfect order and regularity, these little programmed robots
would be far more convenient than real students. One teacher was enough for everybody. Each morning, all that
had to be done was to press the right buttons, and the rest would follow automatically.
4 So these little robots were indeed marvels of mechanical and electronic efficiency, and everyone who saw them
working was stunned by their performance.
5 At 8:25, at the sound of the first bell, they would enter the classroom. At 8:30, at the sound of the second bell,
they would begin to write down their arithmetic problems, or start their compositions. At 9:30, they would all hand
in their papers.
6 At 9:35, they would all recite history in exactly the same way: “At the gallows, Nathan Hale said, ‘I only regret that I
have but one life to lose for my country.’”
7 At 10:15, they took their lunch trays and they ate. At 10:20, they went to the bathroom. At 10:25, they sat down in
their seats again.
8 At 10:30, they all repeated the same rule of grammar together: “The names of persons form the plural in the usual
way, by adding s or es, as in the examples—four Toms and two Jameses.”
9 At 11:15, they did arithmetic. At 12:00, they recited geography from the textbook: “Florida is a state known for
sun, flowers, and beautiful beaches.”
10 At 12:45, they packed up their schoolbags. At 12:50, they said good-bye to the teacher and left.
11 The following day, the program repeated what had been studied previously. Of course, it was possible to switch
subjects around somewhat to take arithmetic before history, or, in place of one rule of grammar, to take another.
But these were small changes that didn’t really matter, so nothing ever really happened to disrupt the regularity
of the lessons. The robots always behaved just as the teacher had programmed them. Indeed, the principal was
so content with this state of affairs that he not only praised the teacher highly, but even gave her a promotion.
12 Now, one morning, a new robot came to school, looking exactly like all the rest. However, at 8:30, at the sound of
the second bell, when it was time for them all to be seated, the newcomer dawdled a bit, just enough to surprise
and alarm the teacher, who from that moment on kept a sharp eye on it.
13 But there was an even greater surprise at 9:35, during the history lesson. The new robot recited: “At the gallows,
Nathan Hale said, ‘Hats off!’”
14 The teacher was so dumbfounded that she went to examine the robot’s buttons at once, to see whether she might
have pressed them incorrectly. Indeed not. All the buttons were in place. The teacher couldn’t imagine such a
Grade 8 2 Unit Test
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disrespectful version of history being recited in school. She went back to her desk, full of anxiety, hoping that the
principal would not find out.
15 At 10:15, when the other robots took their lunches from their schoolbags, the newcomer got up and went to the
bathroom. When the others went to the bathroom, it began to eat lunch.
16 Perhaps a button is stuck, thought the teacher, as she went to take another look. No! Even the buttons
for recess were in place. Why was it that this one robot, just the same as all the others, didn’t behave
in the same way?
17 At 10:30, when they all repeated the rule for forming the plural of names, the new robot said: “If I followed
the rule and added es, would I say ‘My two Aunt Besseses?’”
18 Then the teacher telephoned frantically to the factory to send a repairman at once. She was even willing to
pay from her own pocket.
19 When the repairman arrived, he checked all the buttons, and since they were in order, he couldn’t find
anything
to do except to tighten some screws and say, “Everything is fine.” The teacher, greatly relieved, beamed
with pleasure.
20 But at 11:15, when all the others were reciting their numbers in perfect sequence, the newcomer counted:
“Seven, five, three, four, ten . . .”
21 In despair, the teacher said, “Don’t you see how it is mixing them up? Do something, quickly!”
22 “There must be a bad connection somewhere,” said the repairman, pulling an oil can from his bag. “Now you’ll
see that everything will be all right.”
23 But at 12:00, when the others were reciting geography, exactly in the way they were supposed to do, the new
robot began to ask questions instead. “Why is it that in Florida the sun is gray? Why are the flowers there black?
Why is the beach made of asphalt? Why—” And who knows what else it might have asked if the teacher hadn’t
clapped her hands over its mouth at this moment to stop it.
24 Nevertheless, the principal heard all the commotion and came running. The teacher, unfortunately, then had
to explain.
25 The principal turned to the repairman and said, “Isn’t there some way to find out why this one doesn’t work
like the others?”
26 “There must be something inside that doesn’t work,” he replied. “I’d have to take it apart and look inside.
Perhaps something’s worn-out.”
27 “There must be something worn-out. Take it apart and fix it at once,” said the principal.
28 So the repairman quickly took his screwdriver and began to loosen all the little screws on the outside. When
he had unfastened everything and was able to take off the cover, he just stood there, with his eyes wide open.
There, inside, instead of the spools of magnetic tape that the other robots had, was a live little boy, and he was just
looking at them and laughing.
1 Which excerpt from the story identifies the main conflict?
Grade 8 3 Unit Test
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You can understand why, in a school devoted to perfect order and regularity, these little
programmed robots would be far more convenient than real students. One teacher was
enough for everybody. (paragraph 3)
The teacher was so dumbfounded that she went to examine the robot’s buttons at once, to
see whether she might have pressed them incorrectly. Indeed not. All the buttons were in
place. (paragraph 14)
Then the teacher telephoned frantically to the factory to send a repairman at once. She was
even willing to pay from her own pocket. (paragraph 18)
“There must be a bad connection somewhere,” said the repairman, pulling an oil can from
his bag. “Now you’ll see that everything will be all right.” (paragraph 22)
2 Which detail from the story suggests that it is a work of science fiction?
The school strictly follows a regular schedule.
The students are robots programmed to be perfect.
The robots are programmed to do their work efficiently.
The students already know most of what is being taught.
3 Fill in the circle before the highlighted phrase from paragraph 11 that provides a clue for the
meaning of the word regularity.
The following day, the program repeated what had been studied previously. Of course,
it was possible to switch subjects around somewhat to take arithmetic before
history, or, in place of one rule of grammar, to take another. But these were small
changes that didn’t really matter, so nothing ever really happened to disrupt the
regularity of the lessons.
Grade 8 4 Unit Test
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4 Read the dictionary entry.
promotion \prə-mō′shən\ n 1. the act of moving someone to a higher job, grade, or rank
2. support or encouragement of the progress or growth of something 3. advertising or
publicity 4. an act, event, or offer that helps increase interest in or demand for something
Which definition best matches the meaning of promotion as it is used in paragraph 11?
Definition 1
Definition 2
Definition 3
Definition 4
5 How does the new robot’s behavior propel the story forward?
It causes the other robot students to act strangely.
It causes school personnel to look deeper for the truth.
It causes the teacher to forget about learning for the day.
It causes the principal to reconsider giving the teacher a promotion.
6 The purpose of the specific times mentioned throughout the story is to —
help clarify the nonchronological timeline
help advance the story from day 1 to day 2
help show the differences between day 1 and day 2
help the reader compare the robots’ school day to their own school day
7 How is the theme of the story developed? Use text evidence to support your response.
Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Grade 8 5 Unit Test
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Do You Want a Robot Companion When You Get Old?
informational text by Kathryn Hulick
1 A robot in the shape of a fuzzy baby seal sat on 73-year-old Lois Simmeth’s lap. “I know you’re not real,” she
whispered. “But somehow, I don’t know, I love you.” The robot, named Paro, couldn’t answer. But it could make
cute mewling sounds, move its head, and blink its large, adorable eyes. Interactions such as this one are happening
at some nursing homes and other eldercare facilities around the world. Supporters say that Paro and similar robots
provide the same kind of comfort to elderly people as animal therapy, without the risk of allergies or the dangers
of handling real cats and dogs. Opponents worry that cuddly robots will unfairly lead people with dementia1 to
care for uncaring machines.
2 Which side is right? Research has shown that Paro can have the same calming effect as medications on
agitated dementia patients. Yet Paro has none of the physical side effects of medication. Plus, when it comes to
providing companionship and comfort to the elderly, there just aren’t enough people to go around. Being a
caregiver is a tough job that often doesn’t pay well. A robot companion may be better than none at all.
3 Takanori Shibata is the Japanese inventor who created Paro. In a video for the Financial Times, he said, “I
made Paro like a human baby’s size. Paro is a robot but people feel that Paro is a living animal or baby.” Shibata
clearly thinks that a robot baby is a good thing, but others aren’t so sure.
4 Sherry Turkle, a social scientist at MIT, regularly speaks out about the downsides of technology. She witnessed
an elderly woman talking to Paro as if the seal were real, and the experience troubled her. In a TED talk, she said:
“That woman was trying to make sense of her life with a machine that had no experience of the arc of a human
life.” Turkle is concerned that we are starting to expect more from technology and less from each other. She feels
that technology can never replace a real-life relationship with another person.
5 What do you think? Is Paro a sign that humans are losing touch with each other, or that we’re finding new
ways to feel connected? Would you want a robot companion when you get old?
1
dementia: loss of cognitive abilities, including memory, concentration, communication, planning, and abstract thinking, resulting from brain injury or from a disease such
as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease
Grade 8 6 Unit Test
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Do You Want a Robot Companion When You Get Old?
informational text by Kathryn Hulick
1 A robot in the shape of a fuzzy baby seal sat on 73-year-old Lois Simmeth’s lap. “I know you’re not real,” she
whispered. “But somehow, I don’t know, I love you.” The robot, named Paro, couldn’t answer. But it could make
cute mewling sounds, move its head, and blink its large, adorable eyes. Interactions such as this one are happening
at some nursing homes and other eldercare facilities around the world. Supporters say that Paro and similar robots
provide the same kind of comfort to elderly people as animal therapy, without the risk of allergies or the dangers
of handling real cats and dogs. Opponents worry that cuddly robots will unfairly lead people with dementia1 to
care for uncaring machines.
2 Which side is right? Research has shown that Paro can have the same calming effect as medications on agitated
dementia patients. Yet Paro has none of the physical side effects of medication. Plus, when it comes to providing
companionship and comfort to the elderly, there just aren’t enough people to go around. Being a caregiver is a
tough job that often doesn’t pay well. A robot companion may be better than none at all.
3 Takanori Shibata is the Japanese inventor who created Paro. In a video for the Financial Times, he said, “I made
Paro like a human baby’s size. Paro is a robot but people feel that Paro is a living animal or baby.” Shibata clearly
thinks that a robot baby is a good thing, but others aren’t so sure.
4 Sherry Turkle, a social scientist at MIT, regularly speaks out about the downsides of technology. She witnessed an
elderly woman talking to Paro as if the seal were real, and the experience troubled her. In a TED talk, she said:
“That woman was trying to make sense of her life with a machine that had no experience of the arc of a human
life.” Turkle is concerned that we are starting to expect more from technology and less from each other. She feels
that technology can never replace a real-life relationship with another person.
5 What do you think? Is Paro a sign that humans are losing touch with each other, or that we’re finding new ways to
feel connected? Would you want a robot companion when you get old?
1
dementia: loss of cognitive abilities, including memory, concentration, communication, planning, and abstract thinking, resulting from brain injury or from a disease such
as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease
8 This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A
What is the main idea of “Do You Want a Robot Companion When You Get Old?”
New technologies could give older people pets that are easier to manage.
New technologies could help older people take care of themselves more easily.
New technologies could lead to robots taking care of people when they are older.
New technologies could help people feel more connected or add to their disconnection.
Grade 8 7 Unit Test
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Part B
Which excerpt from the text best supports the answer to Part A?
Interactions such as this one are happening at some nursing homes and other eldercare
facilities around the world. (paragraph 1)
Being a caregiver is a tough job that often doesn’t pay well. A robot companion may be
better than none at all. (paragraph 2)
Sherry Turkle, a social scientist at MIT, regularly speaks out about the downsides of
technology. (paragraph 4)
Is Paro a sign that humans are losing touch with each other, or that we’re finding new ways
to feel connected? (paragraph 5)
9 Why does the author most likely include the information in paragraph 1?
to introduce both sides of the argument
to show that robots are good for people
to emphasize the need to help the elderly
to point out that many people distrust robots
10 Fill in the circles before the two words from paragraph 2 that are antonyms for agitated and
provide clues to its meaning.
Which side is right? Research has shown that Paro can have the same calming effect as
medications on agitated dementia patients. Yet Paro has none of the physical side
effects of medication. Plus, when it comes to providing companionship and comfort
to the elderly, there just aren’t enough people to go around. Being a caregiver is a
tough job that often doesn’t pay well. A robot companion may be better than none
at all.
11 Which two statements from the text best support the claim that robot pets make good
companions?
“I know you’re not real,” she whispered. “But somehow, I don’t know, I love you.”
(paragraph 1)
Yet Paro has none of the physical side effects of medication. (paragraph 2)
Being a caregiver is a tough job that often doesn’t pay well. (paragraph 2)
Grade 8 8 Unit Test
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“Paro is a robot but people feel that Paro is a living animal or baby.” (paragraph 3)
“She witnessed an elderly woman talking to Paro as if the seal were real, and the
experience troubled her.” (paragraph 4)
12 Why does paragraph 5 include only questions?
to encourage readers to conduct further research
to entertain readers with an unusual ending format
to inspire readers to consider their own points of view
to ask questions that were not covered in the selection
13 Which two details from the text best support the argument of people who oppose using
robots like Paro?
Robots are less effective than medications.
The conversations that people have with robots may not make sense.
Older people cannot truly be comforted by robots that look like animals.
Lonely people may come to rely too heavily on robot pets for companionship.
It can be confusing for dementia patients who may think the robot is a living thing.
14 Write a summary of “Do You Want a Robot Companion When You Get Old?” Include the
main idea and the most important details from the text in your summary.
Grade 8 9 Unit Test
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