What are some basic tips for caring for a dog or cat (e.g., feeding, grooming, house training, etc.)?

HELPFUL TIP: Think twice about buying a pet for a family member as a gift for a birthday or other occasion. Many times, such animals have to be returned because the child and the pet aren't compatible. Rather, give the family member a gift certificate for an animal, and he or she can pick out the pet on their own in person.

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II. Listening Exercises [Top]

Listen to the conversation by pressing the "Play Audio" button and answer the questions. Press the "Final Score" button to check your quiz.

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[ Other Audio Options: Play RealMedia | Play Window Media ]

1. What is one of Shawn's concern about the dog?
A. It can be somewhat aggressive.
B. It eats too much food at one time.
C. The dog might mess on his carpet.

2. What is Shawn supposed to do between 3:00-4:00 p.m. for the dog?
A. Take the dog for some exercise with a Frisbee.
B. Feed him an afternoon doggie treat for a snack.
C. Let the dog watch a program on television.

3. Which point is NOT true about the cat?
A. The cat becomes a little moody at times.
B. The cat enjoys listening to classical music.
C. The cat will run away if it gets outside the house.

4. What can we infer from the conversation on the snake's reaction to Shawn?
A. The snake appears to warm up to him.
B. The snake doesn't care for Shawn at all.
C. The snake is extremely shy of Shawn.

5. What is Shawn's final response to Norman?
A. Norman should seek someone who is well-trained with animals.
B. Norman should take his animals to the zoo for special care.
C. Norman agrees to watch them for a lot of extra money.

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Score =
Correct answers:

Listen to the conversation again as you read the Quiz Script.

III. Vocabulary Activities [Top]

Review the key vocabulary from the conversation:

[ Why do these? ]

• Multiple-Choice and Short-Answer Questions
• Mixed-Up Sentence
• Sentence and Vocabulary Matching
• Text Completion Quiz

IV. Post-Listening Exercises [Top]

What kinds of pets are popular in your area or country? Are there any specific reasons why some animals are more or less common? These reasons could include issues dealing with space, size of animals, housing restrictions, religion, or health. Share your ideas with a partner.

V. Online Investigations - [ What's This? ] [Top]

Imagine you want to raise an exotic pet. Choose one of the following animals and search for tips on how to care for your new pet: tarantula, monkey, llama, iguana, or snake. Consider food, shelter, and how difficult it is to handle the pet. Use the Internet to explore these ideas. Discuss your findings with a partner.

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[ What's This? ]

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