B2 – Upper Intermediate
To truly know someone, it really all boils down to: Are they a dog or a cat person?
We now live in a world were pets are kept inside the house and treated ever so kindly, almost like a family member, in some cases.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript about why we keep and love our pets.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2024/ep-240104
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “disposable income” mean? “First of all, on a very practical level, living standards are gradually increasing across that period, and it becomes more possible to keep pets if you have more disposable income.” Use this term in a sentence.
- What does “to fit the bill” mean? “In the Victorian era, dogs were very much the top pet, and you can see that the values that were often associated with dogs, so loyalty, trustfulness and, steadfastness… all of these qualities were also celebrated by the Victorians of key parts of the Victorian manly character, so dogs really fitted the bill.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
- What does “the idea someone has of themselves ” mean? “It was also the Victorians who first described Britain as a nation of dog lovers, a phrase they used to reflect the idea they had of themselves.” Use this expression in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- The British are well-known to be animal lovers. Do you think it is the same for the people in your country? Why or why not?
- What are the benefits and drawbacks of keeping a pet?
- Do you think attitudes to pets were based on economics? Explain.
- Share your opinion on this statement, “Your personality is reflected in your pet.”.
- What are your thoughts on creating social media accounts for pets/on pets being on socmed?