102 Read the text and answer the questions. 1 Who is the author of the book?
2 What kind of book is the radio play based
on?
3 What is the book about?
4 What are the main characters?
5 What is unusual about them?
6 What do you think will happen in the part
of the radio play you are going to listen to?
Isaac Asimov (1920–1992) was an Ameri-
can scientist and writer, born in Russia. He is
best known for writing science fiction (sto-
ries about life in the future and imaginary
developments in science). His first robot sto-
ry 'Robbie' deals with the issue of fearing
robots and gives some examples of the help
that robots could provide humanity with.
In the story Robot Robbie is a nanny of
a girl, Gloria. Huge Robbie and the little
girl enjoy spending time together. They
have a lot of things to do. Gloria invents
funny and thrilling games that would not
be so exciting without her friend, and Rob-
bie can listen to her amusing stories for
hours. Even when Gloria tells him well-
known fairy tales, he feels delighted and
wants to listen to her stories again and
again. He even agrees to be "a big silver
air-coaster" for Gloria when she promises
to tell him about Cinderella once again.
They have become very close friends and
understand each other very well. Gloria
enjoys Robbie's company and the robot
seems to be a caring nanny for the girl.
Many of Azimov's literary works were
turned into plays, cartoons and films. You
are going to listen to a part from the radio
play based on the short story.
— Where are the children?
— They are in the yard.
— What they are doing?
— They are feeding the birds.
2
— Where is our Head Teacher?
— He is in his study.
— What he is doing?
— He is making a schedule.
3
— Where are the girls and boys?
— They are in the cinema.
— What they are doing?
— They are watching a film.
4
— Where are our friends?
— They are at school.
— What they are doing?
— They are learning.
5
— Where is the puppy?
— The puppy is in the hall.
— What it is doing?
— It is playing with a ball.