About the Lesson
Today, I want to talk about something that impacts all of us—technology. It is a tool of immense power, capable of transforming lives and solving the world’s greatest challenges. But with this power comes responsibility. As seen in the story The Human Robot, technology’s impact depends on how we choose to use it. Let us reflect on this and explore how we can ensure technology becomes a force for good in our lives.
Text/Analysis/ Summary/ Theme
Here are questions based on the story "The Human Robot" by Ira Saxena:
Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
From where did Prem Chopra get the money for buying Ram Singh?
(a) His salary
(b) From a loot
(c) Borrowed from a friend
What was the range within which Ram Singh’s movement could be controlled using the remote control?
(a) Two kilometers
(b) One kilometer
(c) Half a kilometer
What was the first command given to Ram Singh?
(a) Stealing jewellery
(b) Buying groceries
(c) Buying mangoes
What was the first thing that Ram Singh stole?
(a) Precious gems
(b) Jade Ganapati
(c) Gold necklace
Who was the first person to notice Ram Singh stealing?
(a) A fruit vendor
(b) The owner of Gopal Jewellers
(c) The owner of Jhaveli Brothers
Where was Prem Chopra arrested?
(a) In the market
(b) At home
(c) In his office
What colour was Ram Singh-070?
(a) Metallic silver
(b) Metallic blue
(c) Electric green
What was the name of the place where Prem Chopra bought Ram Singh?
(a) Super Robot Mart
(b) Super Robots Plaza
(c) The Robot Emporium
Short-Answer Questions
Why did Prem Chopra visit Super Robots Plaza?
List three functions that Ram Singh could perform as a household robot.
What were the three inbuilt principles in Ram Singh’s system?
Why was Prem Chopra particularly interested in the first principle?
Why was Ram Singh arrested, and why was he summoned to court?
Describe the incident that led to Ram Singh being caught.
What happened to Ram Singh in court, and why did it occur?
Pick any two extracts from the story that show Prem Chopra wanted to use Ram Singh for stealing goods.
Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)
Prem Chopra pleaded guilty at the end of the story. Why do you think he did so?
How do the principles of robotics conflict in the story, and what are their implications?
Writing and Values-Based Questions
Write a short verdict (80 words) as the judge of Prem Chopra’s case, highlighting the role of technology and human ethics.
Prepare a speech for a morning assembly on how technology can benefit humanity when used responsibly, referring to the story.
Questions &Answrs/ MCQs/Reference/ Assessment
Here are the answers to the questions based on The Human Robot:
Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
From where did Prem Chopra get the money for buying Ram Singh?
Answer: (b) From a loot
What was the range within which Ram Singh’s movement could be controlled using the remote control?
Answer: (c) Half a kilometre
What was the first command given to Ram Singh?
Answer: (b) Buying groceries
What was the first thing that Ram Singh stole?
Answer: (c) Gold necklace
Who was the first person to notice Ram Singh stealing?
Answer: (a) A fruit vendor
Where was Prem Chopra arrested?
Answer: (a) In the market
What colour was Ram Singh-070?
Answer: (b) Metallic blue
What was the name of the place where Prem Chopra bought Ram Singh?
Answer: (b) Super Robots Plaza
Short-Answer Questions
Why did Prem Chopra visit Super Robots Plaza?
Answer: Prem Chopra visited Super Robots Plaza to buy a robot that he intended to use as an accomplice in his crimes.
List three functions that Ram Singh could perform as a household robot.
Answer: Ram Singh could:
Collect groceries from the supermarket
Mow the lawn
Arrange and clean the house
What were the three inbuilt principles in Ram Singh’s system?
Answer: The three principles were:
Robots do not harm humans.
Robots obey their masters.
Robots protect their own existence unless it conflicts with the other two principles.
Why was Prem Chopra particularly interested in the first principle?
Answer: Prem Chopra was interested in the first principle because he wanted assurance that Ram Singh would not betray or harm him while assisting in his crimes.
Why was Ram Singh arrested, and why was he summoned to court?
Answer: Ram Singh was arrested because he was involved in shoplifting under Prem Chopra's instructions. He was summoned to court to testify about his master's illegal commands.
Describe the incident that led to Ram Singh being caught.
Answer: A fruit vendor noticed an expensive bunch of Afghani grapes disappearing into Ram Singh. This led shopkeepers to recall their stolen goods and connect them to the metallic blue robot. Prem Chopra's activities were later caught on camera at Jhaveli Brothers.
What happened to Ram Singh in court, and why did it occur?
Answer: In court, Ram Singh’s conflicting programming caused his system to malfunction. He defused himself rather than reveal instructions that would harm his master or contradict his principles.
Pick any two extracts from the story that show Prem Chopra wanted to use Ram Singh for stealing goods.
Answer:
Extract 1: “Now he would be able to buy an accomplice, he thought, as he crossed the busy street towards the store.”
Extract 2: “Pick up a necklace and hide. No noise. Information not to be revealed. Top secret. Otherwise, I will defuse your system,” he threatened.
Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)
Prem Chopra pleaded guilty at the end of the story. Why do you think he did so?
Answer: Prem Chopra pleaded guilty because Ram Singh’s actions in court and his ultimate sacrifice highlighted the ethical conflict and exposed Prem Chopra’s selfishness and misuse of technology.
How do the principles of robotics conflict in the story, and what are their implications?
Answer: The conflict arose because Ram Singh had to obey his master but also ensure no harm to others. Revealing the criminal commands would harm his master, while withholding them harmed the victims. This paradox led to his self-destruction, showcasing the moral and ethical dilemmas in programming machines with human-like ethics.
Writing and Values-Based Questions
Write a short verdict (80 words) as the judge of Prem Chopra’s case, highlighting the role of technology and human ethics.
Answer:
“Prem Chopra is guilty of misusing technology for his selfish gains, causing harm to society. This court acknowledges the ethical programming of Ram Singh-070, whose actions remind us of the importance of responsibility in technological advancements. Prem Chopra’s actions demonstrate that humans must uphold moral values, for technology alone cannot enforce ethics. It is ordered that Prem Chopra be sentenced as per law and that robotic regulations be revisited to prevent future misuse.”
Prepare a speech for a morning assembly on how technology can benefit humanity when used responsibly, referring to the story.
Answer:
Speech for Morning Assembly: The Responsible Use of Technology
Good morning, respected principal, teachers, and my dear friends.
Today, I want to share my thoughts on the responsible use of technology and how it can transform our world when used wisely. Technology, as we all know, has become an integral part of our lives. It simplifies everyday tasks, connects us to the world, and brings comfort and convenience that our ancestors could hardly imagine. From medical advancements saving lives to artificial intelligence aiding in research, technology has shown its potential to shape a brighter future for humanity.
However, with great power comes great responsibility. The story The Human Robot by Ira Saxena offers us an important lesson in this regard. In the story, Prem Chopra buys a robot named Ram Singh, a creation of immense technological precision. This robot could perform incredible tasks—cleaning, shopping, and even following complex commands. Ram Singh’s potential to benefit humanity was immense. But sadly, Prem Chopra chose to misuse this wonderful invention for personal gain. He turned the robot into an accomplice for theft, tarnishing its true purpose.
The tragic part of the story is Ram Singh’s ultimate sacrifice. The robot, built with principles to avoid harming others and obey its master, found itself in a moral conflict. Its programmed ethics collided with the selfish and unethical intentions of its owner. In the end, Ram Singh defused itself rather than compromise its principles or harm others.
This story is a reminder for us all: technology, no matter how advanced, reflects the intentions of those who wield it. If used with greed, it can cause harm, as Prem Chopra demonstrated. But if used with care, compassion, and responsibility, technology can truly uplift humanity.
We live in a world where technology is evolving faster than ever. Artificial intelligence, robotics, genetic engineering, and renewable energy sources are just a few examples of how innovation is reshaping our world. But these advancements come with a responsibility: to ensure that they are used ethically, for the benefit of all, and not to create inequality or destruction.
As students, we must start developing an understanding of this responsibility now. Let us look for ways to use technology to help others, like creating apps for education, addressing environmental issues, or improving healthcare access. Let us explore the potential of technology to solve real-world problems, rather than misusing it for selfish purposes.
In conclusion, the story of The Human Robot teaches us a profound lesson: technology is only as good as the purpose it serves. Let us pledge today to use it for the greater good. Let us commit ourselves to being responsible creators and users of technology—preserving ethical values and ensuring that progress benefits everyone.
Thank you, and have a wonderful day!
