Herbert George Wells

Howard Phillips Lovecraft

Isaac Asimov

a cura di M. Barbero e C. Gelli
 
 Five stories written by some of the most famous science-fiction authors: H.G. Wells - the English father of this genre - with a story of a crystal egg which enables the owner of a curiosity shop to see the Martians; H.P. Lovecraft with the Cthulhu literary mythology; A. Porges who writes a story in which humanity is freed from space invaders by man's traditional enemy: the devil; A.C. Clarke with Sentinel of Eternity, from which S. Kubrick's film "2001: A Space Odyssey" drew inspiration; I. Asimov with a tale in which a space war is won by means of a not very orthodox strategy…
 A presentation on the history and themes of science-fiction introduces the book; stimulating inserts enrich each story. 
 
 Teacher's Resources available online: Answer Key - Audioscripts - Summing-up Activities.
 
 Cinque racconti di alcuni dei più famosi autori di fantascienza: il capostipite H. G. Wells con un racconto su un uovo di cristallo da cui si vedono i marziani; H. P. Lovecraft con la mitologia letteraria Cthulhu; A. E. Van Vogt si inserisce nel filone dell'alieno mostruoso e ostile; A. Porges racconta dell'umanità che viene liberata dagli invasori grazie al diavolo; A. C. Clarke con The Sentinel, da cui fu tratto il film di S. Kubrick "2001: Odissea nello spazio"; I. Asimov con una guerra stellare vinta con una strategia non proprio ortodossa…

Introduction:

What is Science Fiction?

History of Science Fiction?

Main Themes and Characters

Popularity of Sci-Fi in Films or TV Series

H.G. Wells

Story 1 – The Crystal Egg

Extension: Is there life on Mars?

H.P. Lovecraft

Story 2 – The Call of Cthulhu

Extension: Excuse me, Cthulhu who?

A. Porges

Story 3 – The Liberator

Extension: A deal with the Devil

A.C. Clarke

Story 4 – Sentinel of Eternity

Extension: 2001: A Space Odyssey

I. Asimov

Story 5 – The Machine That Won the War

Extension: Technology at risk or the risks of technology?

Summing-up activities

Glossary

3  The Liberator Story BEFORE READING 1 Choose the correct answer. a. If the Earth was under attack and about to surrender, who do you think the enemies would be? c Genetically modified humans c More technologically advanced aliens c A group of human scientists disguised as Martians c A colony of humans from the future c An army of giant intelligent insects c An army of artificial intelligence machines b. Who do you think its liberator would be? c Superman c The Devil c The Army c God c Terminator c The flu virus c. What weapons do you think this liberator would use? c Words c Machine guns c Bacteria c Nuclear bombs c Magic c Flames d. What do you think the liberator would want in exchange for this exploit? c Glory and fame c The control of the Earth c A whole continent c Money c To be worshipped as a God c Nothing 2 Imagine the Earth has been attacked by some aliens. Describe their characteristics. Look up words you need in the dictionary. Height Weight Head Trunk Arms and legs Voice Clothes Special powers 3 Connect these words from the text to their synonyms/definitions. 1. sceptical c a. Hard 2. glittering c b. Incredulous 3. harsh c c. Tidy and regular 4. orderly c d. Sparkling 5. pick up c e. Gather 6. intruder c f. Unable to speak 7. grant c g. Short pointed knife 8. speechless c h. Someone who illegally enters a place 9. beams c i. Rays, lines of light 10. dagger c j. Give 52 

T Arthur Porges The Liberator Story 3 m The Earth was defeated1, definitely conquered. The proud u aerial army of The World Council had been easily, even happily, disintegrated. It had not even been a real war: England, a traditionally resisting country, had to abandon her useless resistance when a populous section of London had been erased by one potent missile. It was obvious that the Earth s best weapons, soldiers and scientists had been surpassed by a superior technology. It had been a one-sided conflict. To make matters worse, humans hadn t even had the consolation of surrendering to some obscene and monstrous creature. Instead, the conqueror was General Milvan, a super-anthropomorphic figure, seven feet tall, like a body-builder, bright-eyed and endowed2 with an incredible I.Q.3 of 400 and a tight glittering costume, who entered the room like a God coming from Olympus. His impressive appearance was only disturbed by the memory of the scenes of absolute cruelty he had shown in the fight and q by that arrogant sneer4 of his mouth. He spoke to the Council in their language, which, being so simple, he had learned in those couple of hours while his men enjoyed themselves destroying airships and communities. A simple language for simple thoughts, he had said. And so he stood, tall, menacing, an equally magnificent bodyguard on either side of him, and, above, his victorious fleet floating5 over the World Capitol. And so he imposed the new law.  Our previous policy6 was one of extermination. However, u after such a demonstration of our superiority, we are letting a m m 1. defeated: beaten, won over. 2. endowed: possessing naturally. 3. I.Q.: intelligence quotient, your level of intelligence, measured by a special test, the average is 100. 4. sneer: unkind and ironic smile. 5. floating: staying up in the air. 6. policy: strategy, guiding principles. 53 

Narrativa inglese, livello B1 pre-intermedio. Cinque racconti di alcuni dei più famosi autori di fantascienza.

Tales from Outer Space - Collana RAINBOWS

Level B1 • Pre-Intermediate - Collana RAINBOWS

Tales from Outer Space

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