11.4.
1 READING
SKIMMING; INFERRING ATTITUDE; IDENTIFYING SUPPORTING EXAMPLES
A SKIM Read the article. Were your predictions correct?
A new way of serving food? Why not?
By Justin Wilkins
On our last road trip in California, we stopped at a quite intriguing restaurant. A few minutes after we sat
down, we noticed some small robots moving around the place. I didn’t like it!
For me, eating out is a social experience. It’s a great opportunity not only to share a meal, but also to talk to
other people in a more relaxed environment. And talking to servers is part of this experience. I really love to
chat with them, ask what they recommend, or even discuss the area if I’m in a different neighborhood or city.
I would never be able to do that with a robot server. At least, not in a way that felt personal and friendly.
We were going to leave the restaurant, when a server approached us. She explained that the
robots were there only to bring the food, and she was going to take our order. This didn’t sound
too bad, so we decided to stay.
As we were waiting for our food, I looked around the restaurant. A few robots were carrying
plates with hot food and drinks to different tables. I was worried that they might accidentally hit
someone, but they didn’t. They were very quiet, too. When one of the robots arrived with
our food, we didn’t know what to do. Luckily, our server appeared at the same
time. She put the plates in front of us and made sure everything was fine.
Although I had my doubts about robot servers, this particular restaurant
showed that there might be nothing to worry about. Robots worked there as
assistants to human servers. Thanks to the robots, the servers had more time to
take customers’ orders, discuss the dishes and their ingredients, or just chat. We
left a big tip on the table because, I have to admit, I had never been more satisfied
with the service in any restaurant.
B INFER ATTITUDE Choose the correct words to complete the statements about the text.
1 When he arrived at the restaurant, the writer’s attitude toward robot servers was . . .
a positive b negative
2 When he left the restaurant, the writer’s attitude toward robot servers was . . .
a positive b negative
C IDENTIFY SUPPORTING EXAMPLES Which examples from the text could support an argument for
the use of robot servers? Which could support an argument against? Write F (for) or A (against).
1 Robot servers can’t have a casual chat with customers as a human does.
2 Robot servers are unable to make personal recommendations about the food.
3 There were no accidents with the robots as they moved around the restaurant.
4 The robot servers in this restaurant didn’t make much noise.
5 Because of the robots, the human servers had more time to interact with diners.
D Would you like to go to a restaurant with robot servers? Why or why not?
Evolve Digital Level 4 Teacher’s Companion PHOTOCOPIABLE © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022
