Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Escuela Nacional Preparatoria Plantel 6 “Antonio Caso”
Science Fiction Texts: characteristics
Marlin Valenzuela Sebastián
English V Unit 6
Abril, 2023
English V Unit 6
[Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future]
(Niels Bohr)
Topic: Written text: 6.5 Science fiction texts
6.11 Identifying characteristics of science fiction texts
Objective - Along these activities you'll:
Guide:
Writing – Write your answers in the Answers Document (a document you can download in activity I, below) Recognizing information - Identify relevant information Click - Click on the link Matching - Join 2 items: image with text, for instance Feedback - Explore a solution or an explanation to the previous question Video – Watch the video by clicking on the link Reading – Read the text Vocabulary activity – Choose the correct option Predicting - Predict what happens next Reflecting - Reflect about the previous reading Activating knowledge - Remember what you know about the topic Confirming - Confirm your prediction Understanding - Show what you understood Wrapping up - Conclude Science fiction - Characteristics of science fiction Organizing ideas - Make a mind map |
” Science fiction seldom attempts to predict the future. More often than not, it tries to prevent the future.” – Arthur C. Clarke
Download the Answers Document where you can write your answers to the activities.
Activating Prior Knowledge
1.1 Writing
Answer the questions in the Answers Document
You can find information about science fiction by clicking on the link: https://www.dictionary.com/e/what-is-science-fiction-sci-fi/
Check possible answers by clicking on the feedback image:
Did you know that..?
1.1.1 Reading
Read the Science fiction definition by Encyclopedia Britannica to know or reinforce your knowledge about the topic.
1.2 Matching
Look at the titles of two science fiction stories. Relate them to the images below. Write your answers in the Answers Document.
The fun they had (Isaac Asimov) - All summer in a day (Ray Bradbury)
1 2
3 4
Click on the feedback image to get the right answers!
1.3 About the author
1.3.1 Writing
Write 3 biographical facts about Isaac Asimov and his literary work. Click on the links to find information about him.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Isaac-Asimov
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Asimov
Click on the feedback image to get possible answers!
1.4 Video
Watch the interview - Isaac Asimov: Does Science Fiction Predict the Future? 2020. https://youtu.be/f3kqqQSvLxQ You can turn the subtitles on if you wish!
Then, select the best option: T - True or F - False in the Answers Document.
Apollo 11 approaches the moon. Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasamarshall/48325286662
Click on the feedback image to get the right answers!
II. While you read
You can read the whole short story to get a general idea or read it as you answer the activities.
http://web1.nbed.nb.ca/sites/ASD-S/1820/J%20Johnston/Isaac%20Asimov%20-%20The%20fun%20they%20had.pdf
2.1 Reading
Read the first part of the story
2.2 Vocabulary
Along the story “The fun they had” you’ll find six vocabulary activities related to this story (2.2.1-2.2.6). In the Answers Document, choose the correct answer to each question.
by Isaac Asimov
Margie even wrote about it that night in her diary. On the page headed May 17, 2157, she wrote, “Today Tommy found a real book!” It was a very old book. Margie’s grandfather once said that when he was a little boy his grandfather told him that there was a time when all stories were printed on paper. They turned the pages, which were yellow and crinkly, and it was awfully funny to read words that stood still instead of moving the way they were supposed to--on a screen, you know. And then, when they turned back to the page before, it had the same words on it that it had had when they read it the first time. “Gee,” said Tommy, “what a waste. When you’re through with the book, you just throw it away, I guess. Click on the feedback image to get the right answer! Our television screen must have had a million books on it and it’s good for plenty more. I wouldn’t throw it away.” “Same with mine,” said Margie. She was eleven and hadn’t seen as many telebooks as Tommy had. He was thirteen. She said, “Where did you find it?” “In my house.” He pointed without looking because he was busy reading. “In the attic.” “What’s it about?” “School.” |
2.3 Predicting
How will Margie react to the fact that the book is about school? Write a short prediction in the Answers Document.
Click on the feedback image to confirm your prediction!
Go on reading the text Margie was scornful. “School? What´s there to write about school? I hate school.” Click on the feedback image to get the right answer! Margie always hated school, but now she hated it more than ever. The mechanical teacher had been giving her test after test in geography and she had been doing worse and worse until her mother had shaken her head sorrowfully and sent for the County Inspector. He was a round little man with a red face and a whole box of tools with dials and wires. He smiled at Margie and gave her an apple, then took the teacher apart. Margie had hoped he wouldn’t know how to put it together again, but he knew how all right, and, after an hour or so, there it was again, large and black and ugly, with a big screen on which all the lessons were shown and the questions were asked. That wasn’t so bad. The part Margie hated most was the slot where she had to put homework and test papers. She always had to write them out in a punch code they made her learn when she was six years old, and the mechanical teacher calculated the mark in no time. |
2.4 Writing
Recognizing information In literature you find literary elements or terms such as: setting, point of view, characters, and so on, that contribute to make up a story. |
You may click on the titles below to review a short definition of some literary elements you’ll find in this story, which may help you answer the next four questions:
From the statements below, choose the ones you consider appropriate. (You may answer this question after you have read the whole story).
Click on the feedback image to get the right answers!
2.5 Writing
List two examples, from “The fun they had”, that you consider are characteristics of science fiction texts
Click on the feedback image to get the right answers!
. | Reflecting Analyzing and reflecting on what you read helps you understand the progress of the events in the story as well as develop your own world view. |
2.6 Understanding
What is the main conflict in the story?
Click on the title below to read a short description of the literary element: ‘Conflict’.
Select the correct option in the Answers Document!
The main conflict in the story is definitely:
Click on the feedback image to get the right answer!
2.7 Writing
List two examples in the story, that you consider traits of science fiction texts.
Click on the feedback image to get the right answer!
Go on reading the text The Inspector had smiled after he was finished and patted Margie’s head. He said to her mother, “It’s not the little girl’s fault, Mrs. Jones. I think the geography sector was geared a little too quick. Those things happen sometimes. I’ve slowed it up to an average ten-year level. Actually, the overall pattern of her progress is quite satisfactory.” And he patted Margie’s head again. Margie was disappointed. She had been hoping they would take the teacher away altogether. They had once taken Tommy’s teacher away for nearly a month because the history sector had blanked out completely. Click on the feedback image to get the answer! So she said to Tommy, “Why would anyone write about school?” Tommy looked at her with very superior eyes. “Because it’s not our kind of school, stupid. This is the old kind of school that they had hundreds and hundreds of years ago.” He added loftily, pronouncing the word carefully, “Centuries ago.” Click on the feedback image to get the answer! Margie was hurt. “Well, I don’t know what kind of school they had all that time ago.” She read the book over his shoulder for a while, then said, “Anyway, they had a teacher.” “Sure they had a teacher, but it wasn’t a regular teacher. It was a man.” |
2.8 Reflecting and writing Relate some events in the story to your own experience and write them in the Answers Document
Click on the feedback image to get possible answers! You can show it to your teacher to check it! |
Go on reading the text “A man? How could a man be a teacher?” “Well, he just told the boys and girls things and gave them homework and asked them questions.” “A man isn’t smart enough.” “Sure he is. My father knows as much as my teacher.” “He can’t. A man can’t know as much as a teacher.” “He knows almost as much, I betcha.” Margie wasn’t prepared to dispute that. She said, “I wouldn’t want a strange man in my house to teach me.” Tommy screamed with laughter. “You don’t know much, Margie. The teachers didn’t live in the house. They had a special building and all the kids went there.” “And all the kids learned the same thing?” “Sure, if they were the same age.” “But my mother says a teacher has to be adjusted to fit the mind of each boy and girl it teaches and that each kid has to be taught differently.” “Just the same, they didn´t do it that way then. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to read the book.” “I didn’t say I didn’t like it,” Margie said quickly. She wanted to read about those funny schools. 2.9 Writing Do you prefer face to face school or online school? Explain briefly in the Answers Document Click on the feedback image to get possible answers! You can show your answer to your teacher to check it! Go on reading the text They weren’t even half-finished when Margie´s mother called, “Margie! School!” Margie looked up. “Not yet, Mamma.” “Now!” said Mrs. Jones. “And it’s probably time for Tommy, too.” Margie said to Tommy, “Can I read the book some more with you after school?” “Maybe,” he said nonchalantly. He walked away whistling, the dusty old book tucked beneath his arm. |
Margie went into the schoolroom. It was right next to her bedroom, and the mechanical teacher was on and waiting for her. It was always on at the same time every day except Saturday and Sunday, because her mother said little girls learned better if they learned at regular hours. 2.10 Reflecting Do you think Margie was curious about old school, or she didn’t care about it? Click on the feedback image to get possible answers! 2.11 Making Predictions Predict the end of the story in 3-4 ideas. Write them in the Answers Document Click on the feedback image to see possible answers! You can show your answer to your teacher to check it! Go on reading the text The screen was lit up, and it said: “Today’s arithmetic lesson is on the addition of proper fractions. Please insert yesterday’s homework in the proper slot.” Margie did so with a sigh. She was thinking about the old schools they had when her grandfather’s grandfather was a little boy. |
III After you read
3.1 Wrapping up
Explain briefly if your predictions were similar to the end of the story:
3.2 Characteristics of Science fiction texts
In the next list you’ll find common characteristics that science fiction novels or short stories include. Tick the ones you found in The fun they had, in the Answers Document
Science fiction texts: characteristics | ✔ |
Time travel | |
Mind control, telepathy, and telekinesis | |
Aliens, extraterrestrial lifeforms, and mutants | |
Space travel and exploration | |
Fictional or futuristic worlds | |
Superintelligent computers and robots | |
Scientific progress | |
Critical commentary about current or future society | |
Imaginative possibilities of life and technology | |
Teleportation | |
Parallel universes | |
Interplanetary warfare |
Click on the feedback image to check answers!
3.3 Reflecting and writing
What does Asimov criticize in this story? Read the ideas below. Tick the ones that reflect the author’s criticism
Technological progress in education leads to lack of social development | |
Social experience at school is necessary for learners | |
Technological advances facilitate access to information, but deprive students from social exchange | |
Mechanical teachers are unable to make decisions to solve learning problems |
Click on the feedback image to verify your answer(s)!
3.4 Organizing your ideas
Create a mind map about the story. Include:
Setting
Characters
Point of view
Conflict
Resolution
Theme
Click on the feedback image to see an example of a mind map!
3.5 Reflecting
What did you learn after reading the story? Your ideas are important!
References
Asimov, I. 1951. The Fun they Had. [versión electrónica]. http://web1.nbed.nb.ca/sites/ASD-S/1820/J%20Johnston/Isaac%20Asimov%20-%20The%20fun%20they%20had.pdf
Gregersen, E. (2023). Isaac Asimov. En Encyclopaedia Britannica [version electrónica]. Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Isaac-Asimov
Isaac Asimov. En Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Asimov
Lex Clips. (2020, 26 Ene). Does Science Fiction Predict the Future? [video]. Lexclps. https://youtu.be/f3kqqQSvLxQ
McGraw-Hill. (2000). Glencoe Literature - The Reader’s Choice Course 1. McGraw-Hill.
Sterling, B. et al. (2023). Science Fiction. En Encyclopaedia Britannica [version electrónica]. Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc. https://www.britannica.com/search?query=science+fiction
Botones e imágenes
Adjieargoputra. (s.f.) Icon icon. [imagen]. Creazilla. Icon icon. Free download transparent .PNG | Creazilla
Altmann, G. (s.f). Feedback. [imagen]. Public Domain Pictures. Feedback Free Stock Photo - Public Domain Pictures
Axelle. B. (s.f.) La lluvia en la ventana. [fotografía]. Public Domain Pictures. La lluvia en la ventana Stock de Foto gratis - Public Domain Pictures
Vania Barbara. (2022, 2 Mar). Acoso-escolar-barcelona-Bullying. [fotografía]. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acoso-escolar-barcelona-Bullying.jpg
Clker-Free-Vector-Images. (s.f.). Button No Yes Free Photo. [fotografía]. Nedpix.com. Button,yes,no,red,green - free image from needpix.com
Clker-Free-Vector-Images. (s.f). Check Mark Check Ok royalty-free vector graphic. [imagen]. Pixabay.com. Check Mark Ok - Free vector graphic on Pixabay
Creazilla. (s.f). Couple is Questioning clipart. [imagen]. Creazilla [Couple is Questioning clipart. Free download transparent .PNG | Creazilla
Flat icons. (s.f.). Mind map - Free icon. [imagen]. Flaticon.com. Mind map - Free education icons
JohnsonMartin. (2015, 26 Abr). Wormhole Space Time. [imagen]. Pixabay. Wormhole Space Time - Free image on Pixabay
Metamaquina. (s.f.). Isaac Asimov. keychain 3D Model. (imagen].Creazilla. Isaac Asimov keychain 3d model. Free download. | Creazilla
National Aeronautics and Space Agency. (2019, 10 Jul). Apollo 11 Approaches the Moon [fotografía]. Flickr. Apollo 11 Approaches the Moon | This view from the Apollo 11… | Flickr
Peters, D. (2013, 5 Sept.). Book-icon-orange. [imagen]. Wikimedia Commons. File:Book-icon-orange.png - Wikimedia Commons
Pyfisch. (s.f.). WV in review icon. [imagen]. Creazilla.com. WV in review icon. Free download transparent .PNG | Creazilla
Rawpixel. (s.f.). Rocket collage element, black & white illustration psd. [imagen]. Rawpixel.com. Rocket collage element, black & white illustration psd. Free public domain CC0 image.
Shah, R. (2018. 21 Abr). Mujer Leyendo Un Libro Junto a La Ventana. [fotografía]. Pexels. https://www.pexels.com/es-es/foto/mujer-leyendo-un-libro-junto-a-la-ventana-1031588/
Sixsixfive. (2015 10 Ene). Mouse Icon. [imagen]. Openclipart.com. Mouse Icon - Openclipart
Stöckel, A. (s.f). Cosmos, espacio exterior, estrella. [fotografía]. PublicDomainPictures.com. Cosmos, espacio exterior, estrella.
Uddin, A.. (2020, 25 Agos). Noun Planning. [imagen]. 1325509. Wikimedia Commons. File:Noun Planning 1325509.svg - Wikimedia Commons
VectorPortal. (s.f.). Stock Robot Vector Clip Art. [imagen]. VectorPortal. https://vectorportal.com/es/vector/robot-vector-clip-art/19044
VideoPlasty. (2018, 1 Mar). Book with Lens Flat Icon Vector. [imagen]. Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-SA 4.0. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/Book_with_Lens_Flat_Icon_Vector.svg
Aviso legal
D.R.© 2024. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Excepto donde se indique lo contrario, esta obra está bajo una licencia Creative Commons Atribución-No comercial 4.0 Internacional (CC BY-NC 4.0 Internacional).
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode.es
Forma sugerida de citar el recurso
Valenzuela, M. (2024). Science Fiction Texts: Characteristics. [Recurso Educativo Digital] Escuela Nacional Preparatoria, Plantel 6 “Antonio Caso” UNAM. https://repositorio.cab.unam.mx
Con la licencia usted es libre de:
Bajo los siguientes términos:
En los casos que sea usada la presente obra, deben respetarse los términos especificados en esta licencia.
