
©(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Pre-reading Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。
- Do you think a robot can help people at home?
- Do you think robots will be more common in the future?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。
- startup /STAHRT-uhp/
[adjective] – describing a company that has recently begun operating
The startup business opened a small office in the city. - progress /PROG-res/
[noun] – forward movement or improvement over time
The project showed progress after the team finished the first stage. - factory /FAK-tuh-ree/
[noun] – a building where goods are made using machines
The factory closed for repairs after a safety inspection. - fear /feer/
[noun] – a strong feeling of being afraid
Fear spread through the town after the power outage. - demand /dih-MAND/
[noun] – the need or desire for something by many people
Demand for online services increased during the winter season.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。
A new humanoid robot called Sprout was introduced in January 2026 at an office in Manhattan, New York. The robot was developed by Fauna Robotics, a startup company from the United States. The company worked privately for two years before the launch. Sprout is about one meter tall and has a soft body to look safe and friendly. The robot was created during a time of strong progress in artificial intelligence and robotics. Unlike factory robots, Sprout is designed for homes, schools, and research spaces. It is sold mainly to universities and technology companies for development use.Sprout walks using navigation systems that help it move safely around people and objects. Engineers reported that the robot can keep balance after small problems while walking. The robot can do light tasks, such as picking up small items or moving between rooms. Software tools allow developers to control its actions. Better batteries and motors support longer use and smoother movement. Designers explained that the robot has a friendly look to avoid fear. However, challenges remain, including high costs and unclear demand for this type of robot.
True or False:
Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.
文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。
- Sprout was developed by a company from Japan.
- The company worked on the robot for five years before the launch.
- Sprout is very tall and made of hard metal.
- Sprout is designed mainly for factories and heavy work.
- Sprout uses navigation systems to move safely around people and objects.
Fill in the Blanks:
Choose the correct word from the table, then fill in the blanks.
適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。
| startup | progress | factory | fear | demand |
- Workers returned to the ______ when production restarted.
- ______ in medicine helped improve patient care.
- She joined a ______ team to work on a new service.
- The company reduced prices to increase ______ for its product.
- The loud noise caused ______ among nearby residents.