Learn English with 2001: A Space Odyssey

• ☐ ☐ ☐ a fault [n] - a defect, something not working correctly
• ☐ ☐ ☐ operational [adj] - working, functioning
• ☐ ☐ ☐ operational limits [exp] - the maximum or minimum conditions under which something can safely and effectively function
• ☐ ☐ ☐ prior to [exp] - before
• ☐ ☐ ☐ telemetric [adj] - relating to data sent from a remote device
• ☐ ☐ ☐ roger [exp] - message received and understood (used in radio communication)
• ☐ ☐ ☐ alpha echo [exp] - A. E. (Alpha = A, Echo = E to avoid confusion in radio communication)
• ☐ ☐ ☐ E.V.A. [n] - Extra-Vehicular Activity, a spacewalk
• ☐ ☐ ☐ puzzling [adj] - confusing, hard to explain
• ☐ ☐ ☐ preliminary [adj] - early, initial, not yet final
• ☐ ☐ ☐ concur [v] - agree
• ☐ ☐ ☐ skeptical [adj] - doubtful, not easily convinced
• ☐ ☐ ☐ verify [v] - check that something is correct
• ☐ ☐ ☐ a snag [n] - a small problem
• ☐ ☐ ☐ fellows [n] - guys, colleagues
• ☐ ☐ ☐ a discrepancy [n] - a difference between two things that should match
• ☐ ☐ ☐ attributable to [exp] - caused by, explained by
• ☐ ☐ ☐ crop up [phv] - appear unexpectedly

[n] - noun,  [v] - verb,  [phv] - phrasal verb,  [adj] - adjective,  [exp] - expression

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Dr. Dave Bowman	Dr. Frank Poole	HAL 9000

• Discovery I is on a mission to Jupiter to investigate a mysterious signal.
• Dave Bowman is the mission commander. Frank Poole is his deputy.
• HAL 9000 is an advanced computer that controls the spacecraft and can speak with the crew.
• The AE-35 is the unit that controls the ship's antenna, keeping it pointed at earth for communication.
• Mission Control is on earth. There is a significant time delay for messages to travel between earth and Discovery I.

1. HAL says the AE-35 unit will fail within 72 hours.
   True
   False
   
   
2. The unit is already outside operational limits when HAL reports the fault.
   True
   False
   
   
3. Mission Control agrees with HAL's suggestion to replace the unit.
   True
   False
   
   
4. They go on a spacewalk to bring the unit inside the ship.
   True
   False
   
   
5. Dave finds a clear problem with the unit when he examines it.
   True
   False
   
   
6. HAL recommends putting the unit back in operation and letting it fail.
   True
   False
   
   
7. They will lose communication with earth after the unit fails.
   True
   False
   
   
8. Another computer on earth reached the same conclusion as HAL.
   True
   False
   
   
9. HAL says the disagreement between the computers is due to human error.
   True
   False
   
   

Score:

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Directions: What expressions from the video have the same meaning as the highlighted expressions in the sentences below?

Instrucciones: ¿Qué expresiones del video tienen el mismo significado que las expresiones destacadas en las oraciones siguientes?

Instruções: Quais expressões do vídeo têm o mesmo significado que as expressões destacadas nas frases abaixo?

지시 사항: 아래 문장에서 강조된 표현과 같은 의미를 가진 표현을 영상에서 찾아보세요.

Інструкції: Які вирази з відео мають те саме значення, що й виділені вирази в реченнях нижче?

1. Is it still within [ safe operating range ] right now?

   [ operational limits ]

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2. Roger your plan to go E.V.A. and replace the unit [ before ] failure.

   [ prior to ]

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3. It's [ confusing ]. I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like this before.

   [ puzzling ]

   Show Hide
   
   
4. We [ agree with ] your plan to replace number one unit to check [ error ] prediction.

   [ concur with ] [ fault ]

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5. Our [ early ] findings indicate that your on-board computer may be in error.

   [ preliminary ]

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6. We are [ doubtful ] ourselves and we are running cross-checking routines to [ check ].

   [ skeptical ] [ verify ]

   Show Hide
   
   
7. Sorry about this little [ problem ], [ guys ].

   [ snag ] [ fellows ]

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8. How would you account for this [ difference ] between you and the twin 9000?

   [ discrepancy ]

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9. It can only be [ caused by ] human error.

   [ attributable to ]

   Show Hide
   
   
10. This sort of thing has [ appeared ] before and it has always been due to human error.

    [ cropped up ]

    Show Hide
    
    

Directions: Write sentences about the video clip using the words given. You can change the word form or add words, but you cannot change the word order.
Use a present time frame (tense).
( ) = optional   [ ] = necessary

Instrucciones: Escriba oraciones sobre el videoclip usando las palabras dadas. Puede cambiar la forma de la palabra o agregar palabras, pero no puede cambiar el orden de las palabras. Usa el tiempo presente.
( ) = opcional   [ ] = necesario

Instruções: Escribe oraciones sobre el videoclip usando las palabras dadas. Puede cambiar la forma de las palabras o agregar palabras, pero no puede cambiar el orden de las palabras. Usa tiempo presente.
( ) = opcional   [ ] = necessário

지시 : 주어진 단어를 사용하여 비디오 클립에 대한 문장을 씁니다. 어형을 변경하거나 단어를 추가할 수 있지만 어순은 변경할 수 없습니다. 현재 시제를 사용합니다.
( ) = 선택 사항   [ ] = 필수 사항

Інструкції: Напишіть речення про відеокліп, використовуючи подані слова. Ви можете змінювати форму слова або додавати слова, але не можете змінювати порядок слів.
Використовуйте теперішній час.
( ) = необов'язково   [ ] = обов'язково

HAL / tell / Dave / AE-35 / unit / will / fail / complete / within / 72 / hour

HAL tells Dave (that) the AE-35 unit will fail completely within 72 hours.

Dave / decide / go / spacewalk / replace / unit / before / it / fail

Dave decides to go on a spacewalk (in order) to replace the unit before it fails.

Dave / examine / unit / but / not / find / anything / wrong / it

Dave examines the unit(,) but (he) [can't/doesn't] find anything wrong with it.

HAL / recommend / put / unit / back / and / let / it / fail / so / they / can / track / down / cause

HAL recommends putting the unit back and letting it fail so (that) they can track down the cause.

mission / control / concur / HAL / plan

Mission Control concurs with HAL's plan.

however / mission / control / also / warn / their / twin / 9000 / computer / think / HAL / fault / prediction / error

However, Mission Control also warns (them) (that) their twin 9000 computer thinks (that) HAL's fault prediction is (in/an) error.

HAL / dismiss / this / say / discrepancy / can / only / be / attribute / human / error

HAL dismisses this, saying (that) the discrepancy can only be [attributed/attributable] to human error.

The text below is from a graded reader of the novel [ 2001: A Space Odyssey ] .

1. Which parts of the video are the same as the novel?
2. Which parts of the video are different from the novel?
3. Which parts of the novel are not in the video?

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Chapter 21 – Birthday Party

‘Sorry to interrupt the celebrations,’ said Hal, ‘but we have a problem.’

‘What is it?’ both Bowman and Poole asked.

I am having difficulty in staying in contact with the Earth the trouble is in the AE 35 unit I believe it may fail within 72 hours

They studied their home planet for some time. The picture was coming to them from the TV camera fixed to the edge of the big radio dish. Unless the narrow beam was pointing straight at Earth, they could neither send nor receive messages. At the moment, it seemed to be working perfectly.

Hal, do you know what the trouble is?' asked Bowman.

'It comes and goes, and I can't tell exactly. But it does seem to be in the AE 35 unit.'

Bowman's first thought was to ask Hal for more details, but he decided to try himself. He ran his mind over the thousands of systems on the ship, and after a few moments the information came to him. The antenna was kept pointing at Earth by motors controlled from the central computer. But the instructions went to the AE 35 unit first, where they were changed into something that the motors could understand. It was like a nerve centre in the body, which translates the brain’s signals into instructions for movement. Now Bowman had a question he could ask Hal. What do you suggest?' he said.

The best idea is to replace the unit with a spare, so we can check it over.

Put it up on the screen,' Bowman said.

Bowman studied the drawing, then said, 'This means going outside the ship.'

'I'm sorry,' Hal replied. 'I thought you knew.'

'I probably did a year ago,' Bowman said. 'Anyway, it looks simple enough. We only have to unlock a cover and put in a new unit.'

'That suits me fine,' said Poole, who was responsible for routine work outside. 'It'll be something different.'

Chapter 22 – Leaving the Ship

Poole put on his pressure suit and climbed inside the small vehicle designed for work outside Discovery. It was round in shape and had a large window in front which gave the operator an excellent view. Discovery carried three of these vehicles, known as Anna, Betty and Clara.

Poole pulled back slightly on the main jet control, and Betty slid off the metal bar. He now had no connection with Discovery - not even a safety line.

He let the vehicle move out for thirty metres, then slowed her down and turned back towards the ship, approaching the antenna from behind in case he interrupted the radio signal and caused a short loss of contact with Earth.

He saw the small metal plate that covered the AE 35 unit. It was about the same size and shape as a postcard, and it had a small handle so it could easily be removed. But it was still controlling the direction of the antenna. If he removed it now, the dish would swing round to its central position, to point along the length of the ship. It might even crash into him as it turned. Also, this would cut off contact with Earth.

'Hal,' Poole called out over the radio. 'I am going to remove the unit. Switch off all control power to the antenna system.

'Antenna control power off,' Hal said.

'Right. I'm pulling the unit out now.'

The card slipped out without any difficulty. Within a minute, its spare was in place.

Fifteen minutes later, he was moving the vehicle back through the open doors of the ship, quietly confident that the job would not need to be done again. He was, however, sadly mistaken.

Chapter 23 – Sickness

'Do you mean,' Frank Poole said, more surprised than annoyed, 'that I did all that work for nothing?'

'It seems like it,' answered Bowman. 'The unit's working perfectly. It passed every test.'

The two men were standing in the tiny workshop-laboratory in the central living area. The thin, card-sized plate of the AE 35 unit lay on the table, connected to a number of wires which led to a small screen.

'Try it yourself,' said Bowman. Poole pushed the TEST button. At once, the screen flashed the message, UNIT OK.

'What do you think?' Poole said.

'Maybe Hal's own testing system made a mistake. It's possible.' 'It's more likely that there's a fault with this thing,' Poole said, pointing to the screen. 'Anyway, better safe than sorry. I'm glad we replaced the unit.'

'We can't take any chances. This is our connection with Earth. I'll write a report then drop this in a box. Somebody else can worry about it when we get home.'

But the worrying began a long time before that, with the next message from Earth.

'This is Mission Control. We appear to have a slight problem. 'Your report that there is nothing wrong with the AE 35 unit agrees with our opinion. It seems more likely that your computer made a mistake. This is not a reason to worry, but we would like you to watch out for any other changes from normal performance. We have suspected several other irregularities in the past few days, but none have seemed important enough to need correction.

'We are running more tests with both our 9000s, and will report as soon as results are available. If necessary, we may disconnect your 9000 temporarily for testing and pass over control to one of our computers. The time difference will introduce problems, but our studies show that Earth control is perfectly satisfactory at this stage of the mission.

'This is Mission Control. Message ends.'

Frank Poole, who was in command when the message came in, thought about this in silence. Then he went to see Bowman.

What's the problem?' said Bowman. Any change from the normal routine meant that something was not quite right.

'Well...' Poole answered slowly. 'We've just had a message from Mission Control. He lowered his voice. We may have a slight case of space sickness on board."

Perhaps Bowman was not fully awake because it took him several seconds to understand. Then he said, 'Oh, I see. What else did they tell you?'

'That there was no reason to worry. And that they were considering a temporary switch-over to Earth Control, while they checked things out.

They both knew, of course, that Hal was hearing every word. but they could not help speaking indirectly. Hal was their colleague, and they did not want to embarrass him. But it did not yet seem necessary to discuss the matter in private. Bowman finished his breakfast in silence, while Poole played with the empty coffee-container. They were both thinking hard. but there was nothing more to say.

Whatever happened, the atmosphere on the ship had changed a little. There was tension in the air and, for the first time, a feeling that something might be going wrong. Discovery was no longer a happy ship.

Chapter 24 – Breakdown

Poole was asleep, and Bowman was reading in the Control Room, when Hal announced, 'Dave, I have a report for you.' 'What is it?'

"We have another bad AE 35 unit. My tests suggest failure within twenty-four hours.'

Bowman put down his book and stared at the computer screen. He knew, of course, that Hal was not really there, whatever that meant. But it seemed polite to look at the screen when speaking to him.

'I can't understand it, Hal. Two units can't go wrong within a couple of days."

'It does seem strange, Dave. But I am certain that the unit will fail.'

'Let me see how things look now." He knew that this would prove nothing, but he wanted time to think. The familiar view of Earth appeared on the screen. It was perfectly centred on the cross-wires, as Bowman knew it must be. If there had been any break in communication, the alarm would already have sounded.

'Have you any idea,' he said, 'what's causing the fault?'

It was unusual for Hal to pause so long. Then he answered: 'Not really, Dave. As I reported earlier, I can't say exactly where the trouble is.'

'You're quite certain,' said Bowman, cautiously, 'that you haven't made a mistake? You know we tested the other AE 35 unit thoroughly, and there was nothing wrong with it.'

'Yes, I know that, but I'm sure there is a fault. If it's not in the unit, it may be in one of the other systems.

That was possible, though it might be very difficult to prove until a breakdown happened and showed them where the trouble was.

'Well, I'll report it to Mission Control and we'll see what they advise. He paused, but there was no reaction. 'Hal,' he continued, 'is something worrying you something that possibly caused this problem?'

Again there was that unusual delay. Then Hal answered, 'I'm not sure how to say this nicely, Dave, but... I'm not a human being; I'm a computer. I don't make mistakes."

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[ printable .docx ]

1. When Dave checks the unit and finds nothing wrong, what are the possible explanations?
2. If you were Dave, would you challenge HAL directly or avoid conflict? Why?
3. Dave is extremely calm through all the issues and problems. Why?
4. If you use A.I. a lot, what kinds of mistakes does it often make? How are these mistakes different from the kinds of mistakes that humans make?
5. What is more dangerous: a mistake made by a human or by a machine (A.I.)? Why?
6. Modern A.I. is constantly apologizing for making mistakes. Does this make you trust it more or less? Why?