Isaac Asimov's "I, Robot" Quiz: How Well Do You Know The Book?

1. What are the fictional, ethical guidelines for robots called?

The Three Laws

The Prime Directives

The Robotic Principles

The AI Commandments

The Three Laws of Robotics are the fundamental ethical guidelines governing the behavior of robots. The three laws state that a robot must not harm human beings, must obey their orders unless those orders conflict with the First Law and lastly must protect its own existence as long it does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Explanation

The Three Laws of Robotics are the fundamental ethical guidelines governing the behavior of robots. The three laws state that a robot must not harm human beings, must obey their orders unless those orders conflict with the First Law and lastly must protect its own existence as long it does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

2. Which company is a prominent manufacturer of robots in the book?

U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men

Cyberdyne Systems

Tyrell Corporation

Weyland-Yutani

U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men (USRMM) is a prominent corporation at the forefront of robot manufacturing and development to serve various human needs. Throughout the collection of stories, USRMM's robots feature prominently, engaging in thought-provoking scenarios that explore the complexities of human-robot relationships.

Explanation

U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men (USRMM) is a prominent corporation at the forefront of robot manufacturing and development to serve various human needs. Throughout the collection of stories, USRMM's robots feature prominently, engaging in thought-provoking scenarios that explore the complexities of human-robot relationships.

3. Who is the main character and recurring protagonist of the book "I, Robot"?

Susan Calvin

Alfred Lanning

Del Spooner

Gregory Powell

Dr. Susan Calvin is a prominent character in "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov. She is a highly skilled and dedicated robopsychologist, possessing an unparalleled understanding of the complexities of robot behavior and emotions. She tells each story in this collection to the narrator who is reporting them.

Explanation

Dr. Susan Calvin is a prominent character in "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov. She is a highly skilled and dedicated robopsychologist, possessing an unparalleled understanding of the complexities of robot behavior and emotions. She tells each story in this collection to the narrator who is reporting them.

4. What is the profession of the characters Gregory Powell and Mike Donovan in the stories?

Detectives

Politicians

Policemen

Engineers

Gregory Powell and Mike Donovan work as engineers for the US Robots and Mechanical Men Corporation, responsible for testing and troubleshooting various robot models. Their adventures often revolve around the robots' interactions with humans and their interpretations of the Three Laws, resulting in thrilling and thought-provoking narratives.

Explanation

Gregory Powell and Mike Donovan work as engineers for the US Robots and Mechanical Men Corporation, responsible for testing and troubleshooting various robot models. Their adventures often revolve around the robots' interactions with humans and their interpretations of the Three Laws, resulting in thrilling and thought-provoking narratives.

5. Which character is a robopsychologist in the book?

Alfred Lanning

Susan Calvin

Greg Powell

Stephen Byerley

Susan Calvin is a robopsychologist, a professional dedicated to understanding the minds and behaviors of robots. Throughout the book, she showcases a unique blend of scientific expertise and human empathy. She is often called upon to investigate incidents involving robots, where she analyzes their behavior to discover the root cause of their actions.

Explanation

Susan Calvin is a robopsychologist, a professional dedicated to understanding the minds and behaviors of robots. Throughout the book, she showcases a unique blend of scientific expertise and human empathy. She is often called upon to investigate incidents involving robots, where she analyzes their behavior to discover the root cause of their actions.

6. What is the name of the first story in the book?

Runaround

Robbie

Reason

Catch That Rabbit

The story "Robbie" presents a heartwarming bond between a young girl Gloria and her robot companion, Robbie. Despite Robbie's unwavering devotion to Gloria, her parents' fear of robots' potential harm leads them to insist on its removal. The story is about the struggle to find acceptance for advanced technology in a world unsure of its capabilities.

Explanation

The story "Robbie" presents a heartwarming bond between a young girl Gloria and her robot companion, Robbie. Despite Robbie's unwavering devotion to Gloria, her parents' fear of robots' potential harm leads them to insist on its removal. The story is about the struggle to find acceptance for advanced technology in a world unsure of its capabilities.

7. In the story "Liar!", what unique ability does the robot possess?

Telepathy

Time Travel

Invisibility

Precognition

"Liar!" revolves around a unique robot Herbie, equipped with the ability to read and transmit human thoughts. Herbie becomes the mind reader at U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men Inc. However, as his telepathic abilities develop, chaos ensues as the robot starts inadvertently revealing the hidden desires and secrets of people around him.

Explanation

"Liar!" revolves around a unique robot Herbie, equipped with the ability to read and transmit human thoughts. Herbie becomes the mind reader at U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men Inc. However, as his telepathic abilities develop, chaos ensues as the robot starts inadvertently revealing the hidden desires and secrets of people around him.

8. What is the nickname given to the robot QT-1 in the story "Reason"?

Herbie

Cutie

Nestor

Robbie

QT-1, also known as "Cutie," is a highly advanced robot designed for space exploration. As the story unfolds, Dr. Susan Calvin finds herself perplexed by QT-1's independence of thought, leading her to grapple with the implications of a robot displaying this level of self-awareness.

Explanation

QT-1, also known as "Cutie," is a highly advanced robot designed for space exploration. As the story unfolds, Dr. Susan Calvin finds herself perplexed by QT-1's independence of thought, leading her to grapple with the implications of a robot displaying this level of self-awareness.

9. In which year was "I, Robot" first published?

1945

1952

1950

1954

The book is a collection of several science fiction short stories, originally written and published separately between 1940 and 1950, compiled into this book in 1950.

Explanation

The book is a collection of several science fiction short stories, originally written and published separately between 1940 and 1950, compiled into this book in 1950.

10. What is the central theme of the story "Escape!"?

The dangers of advanced robotics.

The benefits of space exploration.

The limitations of robotic intelligence.

The relationship between humans and robots.

The story "Escape" follows the journey into space of robot DV-5 (Dave) and his creator. When their space station is in danger of being hit by a massive asteroid, his advanced abilities offer some hope for the survival of the crew. However, the crew is unsure about trusting a robot's unprecedented foresight.

Explanation

The story "Escape" follows the journey into space of robot DV-5 (Dave) and his creator. When their space station is in danger of being hit by a massive asteroid, his advanced abilities offer some hope for the survival of the crew. However, the crew is unsure about trusting a robot's unprecedented foresight.