Episode 237
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Hi, I'm Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com, and I'm back again to help you speak English fluently.
How to accumulate vocabulary, how to learn grammar, how to learn deeply and not forget, how to speak automatically, and how to stay motivated.]
Okay! Let's get started!
Nowadays, more and more people are adopting animals, and pet ownership in the States is on the rise.
I had a dog some time ago, which was a beautiful experience. The connection between a dog and its owner is always special, especially when you take them for a walk. A dog needs to go for long walks to be able to connect with you. Some assume you must give them their favorite treat to win them over. But that link happens when you take them out for a walk.
There are few things like the unconditional love of a dog. It's a unique feeling when you come home after a stressful day and know that your dog is waiting for you, always happy to welcome you.
In America, dogs are the favorite pet. Almost 40% of households have at least one dog as a pet.
However, before adopting one, you should keep in mind that it requires training, daily walks, etc.
In addition, owning a dog in the States is costly. Dog owners spend more than $1,000 yearly on vet check-ups, medications, and medical supplies.
But as I was saying, the relationship with a dog is rewarding. And if you haven't had a positive experience with your dog, it's probably due to a lack of understanding. The first time you adopt a dog, you learn on the fly how to handle it. In any case, I encourage you to try again. But if you are not yet ready for this, I totally understand. Although I have been fortunate with my dog because he was really sweet and obedient, I am not yet considering adopting another one.
Now you may wonder which is better: buying or adopting a dog? Although there is nothing wrong with either option, adopted animals seem to be very grateful.
And since I've never had a cat, I can't speak much from personal experience, but I have some friends who adopted a cat a few months ago, and they are delighted with the furry animal.
Besides, cats require much less maintenance because they are more independent. Even so, a cat is still a great companion.
In the States, cats are the second most preferred pet, and unlike dogs, cats don't need daily walks and are happy to entertain themselves.
Okay, now we know a little more about pets. And you, do you have a pet at home? You can send me a picture of your pet if you want.
Now, let’s practice.
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IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING
Mini-Story: Speaking Practice
Answer the questions aloud with short and quick responses. Repeat the Mini-Story several times to improve your speaking and listening.
Having a pet at home helps relieve stress.
Does having a pet help increase stress?
No, it does not help increase stress. It helps relieve and reduce stress.
What helps relieve a stressful life?
Having a pet at home. That helps relieve stress.
What do you need to have at home to feel calmer? A computer?
A pet. You need to have a pet at home.
Where do you need to have the pet?
At home. You need to have it at home.
Pets help reduce the feeling of loneliness because they keep us company.
What do pets help reduce?
The feeling of loneliness. They help reduce the feeling of loneliness because they keep us company.
What do pets do for us?
Companionship. They keep us company.
Who keeps us company?
Pets. Pets keep us company.
Why do pets help us to reduce the feeling of loneliness?
Because they keep us company. That's why they help us.
A dog at home helps us stay active since we have to walk it.
Does having a dog help us to lie on the couch all day?
No. No. It doesn't help us lie on the couch. It helps us stay active.
Does a dog help us get fitter?
Yes. It helps us get fitter. We have to walk it and so it helps us stay more active.
What do we have to do?
We have to walk the dog. We have to walk it.
Why does it help us stay active?
We stay active because we have to walk the dog.
A dog helps us have a better social life because we interact with other dog owners.
Does a dog help us talk to people more?
Yes. It helps us talk to people more because we interact with other dog owners.
Who do we interact with if we have a dog? Other dogs?
No, not with other dogs. We interact with other dog owners. That is, with people.
Do we have a worse social life when we have a dog?
No. No. We don’t have a worse social life. A dog helps us to have a better social life.
Caring for a pet increases the sense of responsibility in both children and adults.
What does a pet increase?
The sense of responsibility. Caring for a pet increases the sense of responsibility.
What increases the sense of responsibility?
Taking care of a pet.
Does it increase the sense of responsibility in children?
Yes. It increases the sense of responsibility in children.
And in adults?
Yes, also in adults. It increases the sense of responsibility. That is, we are more responsible thanks to caring for a pet.
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary
Review the most useful words and expressions before listening again.
pet
an animal kept for companionship.
adopt
take an animal into your home and care for it.
animal shelter
a place that cares for homeless animals.
breed
a particular type of animal with shared characteristics.
leash
a strap used to control a dog while walking.
veterinarian
a doctor who treats animals.
house-trained
trained not to make a mess inside a home.
companion
a person or animal that provides friendship.
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