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TM

Innovation in Learning

GENERAL ISSUES

Keeping pets
Lesson code: KPAT-C51B-D3JX-U

UPPER INTERMEDIATE +

1 Key words
Read the sentences below and match the underlined words to their definitions.
1. Joe has so much work to do this year, so he decided to rule out a holiday.
2. After the injury, she had to shelve her dreams of becoming the world champion.
3. If you want to buy that car, you'll need to set aside some cash every month.
4. The average lifespan for a cat is 15 years.
5. The chickens are able to roam around freely in the farmyard.
a. decide not to carry out a plan or suggestion now, although you may later
b. go to different places without having a particular purpose or plan
c. save something, usually time or money, for a special purpose
d. stop considering something as a possibility
e. the amount of time that a person lives or a thing exists

2 Find the information

Choose the best answer for each question and check your responses by reading the article.
1. Which is the best pet to keep if you work long hours?
a. a cat

b. a dog

c. a rabbit

2. What is the lifetime cost of keeping a cat (in pounds)?

a. 16-31,000

b. 4-10,000

c. 35-45,000

3. Which farm animal is becoming increasingly popular as a pet in the UK?

a. a hen

b. a pig

c. a turkey

4. What is the average lifespan of a rabbit?

a. 4-5 years

b. 7-8 years

c. 9-12 years

5. How old was the oldest goldfish on record?

c. 43 years

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b. 26 years

AB

a. 14 years

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lingua house

Keeping pets
A

Innovation in Learning

GENERAL ISSUES

A pet is for life

Before making the leap into pet ownership, there are several points to bear in mind,
including how much time you have, the financial commitment, what accommodation
you have and how long individual pets can live.

3 No one should go out and get a pet before

deciding what type would best suit their lifestyle.
From dog and cat to goldfish and reptile, there are
so many pets to choose from and so many
considerations to take into account first. You
should also rule out exotic pets such as primates
that aren't really meant to be pets at all and will
have been traded illegally.
4 How much time do you have?
Be honest, do you have the time to devote to
looking after a puppy? They are similar to babies
in the time and energy they demand. They cannot
be left for hours. They need to be house trained
and they also need play time including
socialisation with other dogs.
5 If you work 9 to 5 five days a week, you may need
to shelve your puppy or dog-owning dreams for
now. If you do work full-time and decide to get a
dog, ensure that you have reliable people to look
after the dog when you're out, or else arrange to
have a dog walker exercise your pet.
6 A cat, or other less demanding pet, might be
better if you work long hours. Cats, unless they
are house cats, move freely between the house
and outdoors and can generally fend relatively
easily for themselves. A small pet such as a house
rabbit could also be a good fit for your lifestyle.
7 Can you afford a pet?
Pets can be expensive. You'll need to buy a bed

8 Where do you live?

Do you live in a flat, or do you have a house with a
garden? Do you own your home, or do you rent?
Both of these points need to be taken into
account. Ideally, a dog needs a garden in which to
roam and do its business. Hens are becoming
increasingly popular as pets, but do you have the
space for a coop? Also, even if you own your
home, there could be bylaws in place that restrict
the keeping of poultry and other livestock on your
property. If you rent, does your tenancy
agreement allow you to keep pets? Many do not,
or they will allow the keeping of small pets such
as goldfish only. Finding pet-friendly
accommodation can be a challenge but there are
agencies springing up that list such properties.
9 A pet is for life: so how long do they live?
These are the typical lifespans of the most
common pets. Small dogs can on average live to
11 years old, while larger dogs typically live to
around 8 years. The average lifespan for a cat is
15 years but they can live into their twenties.
Rabbits can live between 9 and 12 years.
Hamsters live for an average of 2 to 3 years. In
captivity, and if well cared for, goldfish can live for
decades. The oldest goldfish on record lived to 43
years of age.
From The Independent

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2 This week a leading animal charity branded a

British journalist's behaviour as "unacceptable"
after she admitted she had abandoned four dogs
in four years when they stopped being puppies.

for them as well as food, veterinary treatment

including vaccinations and boosters, toys, cat
litter, a cage or an aquarium. According to
research by The People's Dispensary Sick
Animals (PDSA), the lifetime cost of owning a cat
is estimated to be around 17,000, while a dog
can cost between 16,000 and 31,000
depending on the size of the dog and the amount
it eats. Rabbits cost 9,000 over a lifetime,
according to the charity. Before you get a pet, it's
important to consider whether you could afford to
pay up to several hundred pounds for veterinary
treatment, or else to set aside a monthly amount
for pet insurance.

AB

1 There are many reasons for wanting to own a pet.

Perhaps you want to get fit by walking a dog or
lower your blood pressure by stroking a cat, or
simply want to look after another living creature?
People who own pets are generally healthier and
happier, according to research, which shows that
pets can provide meaningful social support for
owners, thus improving their lives.

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lingua house

Keeping pets
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Innovation in Learning

GENERAL ISSUES

3 Checking understanding
What do you remember? Answer the questions according to the article.
1. What are the benefits of owning a pet according to the writer?
2. Why can't dogs be left alone?
3. Why are some dogs more expensive than other dogs?
4. What should homeowners check if they want to keep hens as pets?

4 Key words
Find a word or phrase in the text which means ...
1. left and never returned to something or someone (verb -ed, P2)
2. look after themselves without help (phrase, P6)
3. dry material that is spread in a container and used as a toilet by animals (especially cats) while they
are indoors (noun, P7)
4. go to the toilet (about an animal) (phrase, P8)
5. farm animals (noun, P8)
6. a cage for birds such as chickens (P8, noun)
7. laws made by a local government (P8, plural noun)
8. appearing suddenly (phrasal verb -ing, P8)
Now choose four of the words/phrases and make your own sentence for each one.

5 Talking point
Discuss any of the questions below.
1. Do you keep a pet? If not, why not?
2. Are pets popular in your country? Why/why not?
3. Do you think people should keep exotic animals as pets?

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4. What are the benefits and drawbacks of keeping a pet?

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lingua house

Keeping pets - Key

A

TM

Innovation in Learning

GENERAL ISSUES

1- Key words
Students can work individually and check in pairs. Go through the answers.

1. d

2. a

3. c

4. e

5. b

2- Find the information

Students can work individually and check in pairs. Go through the answers.

1. a

2. a

3. a

4. c

5. c

3- Checking understanding
Students can work individually and check in pairs. Go through the answers and clear up any misunderstandings.

1.
2.
3.
4.

get fit, lower blood pressure, social support

They need to be house trained and they also need play time including socialisation with other dogs.
Dogs have different sizes and eat different amounts.
legal restrictions

4- Key words
Students can work individually and check in pairs.

4. do its business
8. springing up

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Review your flashcards at least 3-5 times a week for 20 minutes to keep the material fresh in your memory.
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2. fend for themselves 3. litter

6. a coop
7. bylaws

AB

1. abandoned
5. livestock

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