The Reading / Listening - Cats - Level 6

For whatever reason, people assume dogs are more intelligent creatures than cats. This notion has been called into question by scientists in Japan, who have said that cats are as smart as dogs at certain memory tests. Cat lovers, of course, have always known this. Researchers at Kyoto University conducted tests on how well 49 cats could recall or relate to an event from the past – known as an episodic memory. The Japanese team got the felines to eat from one of two bowls. Fifteen minutes later, the cats were tested on their ability to remember which bowl they had eaten from and which remained untouched. The team found the cats could recall what they ate and where, suggesting they had episodic memory.

The scientists also said that cats were as good as dogs on a whole variety of mental tests, including responding to the gestures, facial expressions and emotions of humans. Researcher Saho Takagi told reporters that she believed cats think about past events similar to the way humans do. She said: " An interesting speculation is that they may enjoy actively recalling memories of their experience, like humans." She added: "Episodic memory is viewed as being related to an introspective function of the mind. Our study may imply a type of consciousness in cats." Ms Takagi said the research is good news for pet owners, saying: "Understanding cats more deeply helps to establish better cat-human relationships."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Cats - Level 4  or  Cats - Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-38665057
  • http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/25/cats-dogs-equally-intelligent-new-research/
  • https://uk.news.yahoo.com/miaow-it-turns-out-that-dogs-arent-smarter-than-cats-after-all-122140191.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. CATS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about cats. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

       reason / intelligent / creatures / memory tests / memory / felines / fifteen minutes /
       variety / gestures / facial expressions / emotions / consciousness / pet owners

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. INTELLIGENT: Students A strongly believe cats are more intelligent than dogs; Students B strongly believe the opposite.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. COMPARISON: Compare cats and dogs and how good they are at these things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Cats are better because…

Dogs are better because…

Hunting

 

 

Obeying humans

 

 

Working

 

 

Recognising people

 

 

Helping people

 

 

Being cute

 

 

MY e-BOOK
See a sample

5. DOG: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "dog". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. PETS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best pets at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • snake
  • spider
  • horse
  • dog
  • cat
  • parrot
  • hamster
  • goldfish

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. The article says people assume dogs are more intelligent than cats.     T / F
  2. Research into cat intelligence was done at a university in Japan.     T / F
  3. Cats ate from 15 bowls as part of a memory test.     T / F
  4. The cats could remember which bowl they ate from.     T / F
  5. Scientists said dogs were better at a whole variety of mental tests.     T / F
  6. Scientists said cats could not respond to facial gestures.     T / F
  7. A researcher said cats do not recall past memories like humans.     T / F
  8. The researcher said the research was good news for pet owners.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. creatures
  2. notion
  3. certain
  4. felines
  5. remained
  6. variety
  7. emotions
  8. speculation
  9. viewed
  10. establish
  1. assortment
  2. cats
  3. seen
  4. belief
  5. feelings
  6. start
  7. specific
  8. stayed
  9. conjecture
  10. animals

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. For whatever
  2. This notion has been called
  3. as smart as dogs at certain
  4. cat
  5. cats were tested on their ability
  6. a whole variety
  7. facial
  8. think about past events similar to the
  9. the research is good news
  10. establish better cat-
  1. way humans do
  2. to remember
  3. of mental tests
  4. into question
  5. for pet owners
  6. reason
  7. human relationships
  8. memory tests
  9. expressions
  10. lovers

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
notion
ability
episodic
relate
whatever
untouched
felines
certain

For (1) ____________ reason, people assume dogs are more intelligent creatures than cats. This (2) ____________ has been called into question by scientists in Japan, who have said that cats are as smart as dogs at (3) ____________ memory tests. Cat lovers, of course, have always known this. Researchers at Kyoto University conducted tests on how well 49 cats could recall or (4) ____________ to an event from the past – known as an episodic memory. The Japanese team got the (5) ____________ to eat from one of two bowls. Fifteen minutes later, the cats were tested on their (6) ____________ to remember which bowl they had eaten from and which remained (7) ____________. The team found the cats could recall what they ate and where, suggesting they had (8) ____________ memory.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
emotions
whole
news
related
including
relationships
similar
type

The scientists also said that cats were as good as dogs on a (9) ____________ variety of mental tests, (10) ____________ responding to the gestures, facial expressions and (11) ____________ of humans. Researcher Saho Takagi told reporters that she believed cats think about past events (12) ____________ to the way humans do. She said: "An interesting speculation is that they may enjoy actively recalling memories of their experience, like humans." She added: "Episodic memory is viewed as being (13) ____________ to an introspective function of the mind. Our study may imply a (14) ____________ of consciousness in cats." Ms Takagi said the research is good (15) ____________ for pet owners, saying: "Understanding cats more deeply helps to establish better cat-human (16) ____________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  For whatever reason, people assume dogs are more ______
     a.  intelligence creatures
     b.  intelligentsia creatures
     c.  intelligently creatures
     d.  intelligent creatures

2)  This notion has been called into ______ scientists
     a.  questioned by
     b.  question by
     c.  questions by
     d.  questioning by

3)  conducted tests on how well 49 cats could recall or relate to an event ______
     a.  from a past
     b.  from that past
     c.  from then past
     d.  from the past

4)  remember which bowl they had eaten from and which ______
     a.  remained untouched
     b.  remained non-touched
     c.  remained and touched
     d.  remained in touch

5)  cats could recall what they ate and where, suggesting they had ______
     a.  episodically memory
     b.  episodes memory
     c.  episode memory
     d.  episodic memory

6) scientists also said that cats were as good as dogs on a whole ______ tests
     a.  various of mental
     b.  varied of mental
     c.  variety of mental
     d.  varieties of mental

7)  responding to the gestures, facial expressions and ______ humans
     a.  emotions off
     b.  emotion of
     c.  emotionally off
     d.  emotions of

8)  An interesting speculation is that they may enjoy actively recalling memories ______
     a.  of their experiential
     b.  of their experience
     c.  of their experiences
     d.  of their experienced

9)  Episodic memory is viewed as being related to an introspective ______ mind
     a.  function of the
     b.  functioned of the
     c.  functions of the
     d.  functional of the

10)  Ms Takagi said the research is good news for ______
     a.  pets owners
     b.  pet owner
     c.  pets owner
     d.  pet owners

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

For (1) ___________________, people assume dogs are more intelligent creatures than cats. This notion has been (2) ___________________ by scientists in Japan, who have said that cats are as smart as dogs at certain memory tests. (3) ___________________ course, have always known this. Researchers at Kyoto University conducted tests on how well 49 cats could (4) ___________________ to an event from the past – known as an episodic memory. The Japanese team got (5) ___________________ from one of two bowls. Fifteen minutes later, the cats were tested on their ability to remember which bowl they had eaten from and which remained untouched. The team found the cats could recall what (6) ___________________, suggesting they had episodic memory.

The scientists also said that cats were as good as dogs (7) ___________________ of mental tests, including responding to the gestures, (8) ___________________ and emotions of humans. Researcher Saho Takagi told reporters that she believed cats think (9) ___________________ similar to the way humans do. She said: "An interesting speculation is that they (10) ___________________ recalling memories of their experience, like humans." She added: "Episodic memory (11) ___________________ being related to an introspective function of the mind. Our study may imply a type of consciousness in cats." Ms Takagi said the research (12) ___________________ pet owners, saying: "Understanding cats more deeply helps to establish better cat-human relationships."

Comprehension questions

  1. What was called into question by scientists?
  2. At which university was this research conducted?
  3. How many bowls could the cats choose to eat from?
  4. What was the interval between cats eating and then being tested?
  5. What did the research suggest cats had?
  6. What kind of expressions did scientists say cats respond to?
  7. What might cats think about in a similar way to humans?
  8. What might the study imply exists in cats?
  9. For whom did the article say the research was good news?
  10. What kind of improved relationships could the research establish?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What was called into question by scientists?
a) a potion
b) a notion
c) a motion
d) a lotion

2) At which university was this research conducted?
a) Kyushu
b) Tokyo
c) Tokai
d) Kyoto

3) How many bowls could the cats choose to eat from?
a) 128
b) 7
c) 2
d) 15

4) What was the interval between cats eating and then being tested?
a) 15 minutes
b) 16 minutes
c) 17 minutes
d) 18 minutes

5) What did the research suggest cats had?
a) food
b) an episodic memory
c) a big appetite
d) lots of fun

6) What kind of expressions did scientists say cats respond to?
a) facial expressions
b) fixed expressions
c) regular expressions
d) gene expressions

7) What might cats think about in a similar way to humans?
a) future plans
b) sleep
c) past events
d) dinner

8) What might the study imply exists in cats?
a) a type of consciousness
b) a big appetite
c) deep intelligence
d) a sense of humour

9) For whom did the article say the research was good news?
a) researchers
b) scientists
c) cats
d) pet owners

10) What kind of improved relationships could the research establish?
a) dog-researcher relationships
b) scientist-cat relationships
c) cat-human relationships
d) cat-dog relationships

Role play

Role A — Cats

You think cats make the best pets. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their pets. Also, tell the others which is the worst pet of these (and why): goldfish, dogs or horses.

Role B — Goldfish

You think goldfish make the best pets. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their pets. Also, tell the others which is the worst pet of these (and why): cats, dogs or horses.

Role C — Dogs

You think dogs make the best pets. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their pets. Also, tell the others which is the worst pet of these (and why): goldfish, cats or horses.

Role D — Horses

You think horses make the best pets. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their pets. Also, tell the others which is the worst pet of these (and why): goldfish, dogs or cats.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'cat'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'dog'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • whole
    • facial
    • actively
    • mind
    • good
    • establish
    • whatever
    • question
    • lovers
    • event
    • felines
    • team

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Cats are just as clever as dogs, says study

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What springs to mind when you hear the word 'cat'?
    3. What do you think of cats?
    4. What do you think about what you read?
    5. Do you think cats are as intelligent as dogs?
    6. In what way are cats intelligent?
    7. Why are cats so popular as pets?
    8. What is your memory like?
    9. What can you do to improve your memory?
    10. What is the best name for a cat, and why?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'intelligence'?
    3. What do you think of dogs?
    4. In what way are dogs intelligent?
    5. What things can you remember very well? Why?
    6. How good are you at doing mental tests?
    7. What past events do you like recalling?
    8. What is the best name for a dog, and why?
    9. How are relationships with cats different to those with dogs?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    For (1) ____ reason, people assume dogs are more intelligent creatures than cats. This (2) ____ has been called into question by scientists in Japan, who have said that cats are as smart as dogs at (3) ____ memory tests. Cat lovers, of course, have always known this. Researchers at Kyoto University conducted tests on how well 49 cats could (4) ____ or relate to an event from the past – known as an episodic memory. The Japanese team got the felines to eat from one of two bowls. Fifteen minutes later, the cats were tested (5) ____ their ability to remember which bowl they had eaten from and which remained untouched. The team found the cats could recall what they ate and where, (6) ____ they had episodic memory.

    The scientists also said that cats were as good as dogs on a (7) ____ variety of mental tests, including responding to the gestures, facial expressions and (8) ____ of humans. Researcher Saho Takagi told reporters that she believed cats think about past events (9) ____ to the way humans do. She said: "An interesting speculation is that they may enjoy actively (10) ____ memories of their experience, like humans." She added: "Episodic memory is viewed as being related to an introspective function (11) ____ the mind. Our study may imply a type of consciousness (12) ____ cats." Ms Takagi said the research is good news for pet owners, saying: "Understanding cats more deeply helps to establish better cat-human relationships."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     whatever     (b)     whoever     (c)     whomever     (d)     however    
    2. (a)     nation     (b)     motion     (c)     notion     (d)     lotion    
    3. (a)     curtain     (b)     certainly     (c)     certain     (d)     creating    
    4. (a)     calculate     (b)     calling     (c)     call     (d)     recall    
    5. (a)     as     (b)     at     (c)     on     (d)     to    
    6. (a)     suggests     (b)     suggesting     (c)     suggested     (d)     suggest    
    7. (a)     entire     (b)     whole     (c)     all     (d)     every    
    8. (a)     emotive     (b)     emotions     (c)     emoticons     (d)     emotional    
    9. (a)     same     (b)     similarity     (c)     similar     (d)     similes    
    10. (a)     recalls     (b)     recalled     (c)     recall     (d)     recalling    
    11. (a)     as     (b)     of     (c)     by     (d)     at    
    12. (a)     at     (b)     by     (c)     on     (d)     in

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. people aeumss dogs are more
    2. intelligent racuseert
    3. arencit memory tests
    4. decudtnco tests
    5. got the nleeifs to eat
    6. suggesting they had eisodpic memory.

    Paragraph 2

    1. a whole aivyetr of mental tests
    2. responding to the geusrste
    3. lafaci expressions
    4. interesting teasonpcilu
    5. related to an itpisneotrecv function
    6. a type of noeisuosccnss in cats

    Put the text back together

    (  1  )     For whatever reason, people assume dogs are more intelligent creatures than cats. This notion has been called

    (    )     is that they may enjoy actively recalling memories of their experience, like

    (    )     humans." She added: "Episodic memory is viewed as being related to an introspective function of

    (    )     what they ate and where, suggesting they had episodic memory.

    (    )     lovers, of course, have always known this. Researchers at Kyoto University conducted tests on how well 49 cats could

    (    )     the mind. Our study may imply a type of consciousness in cats." Ms Takagi said the research is good news for pet

    (    )     believed cats think about past events similar to the way humans do. She said: "An interesting speculation

    (    )     one of two bowls. Fifteen minutes later, the cats were tested on their ability to remember

    (    )     which bowl they had eaten from and which remained untouched. The team found the cats could recall

    (    )     into question by scientists in Japan, who have said that cats are as smart as dogs at certain memory tests. Cat

    (    )     to the gestures, facial expressions and emotions of humans. Researcher Saho Takagi told reporters that she

    (    )     owners, saying: "Understanding cats more deeply helps to establish better cat-human relationships."

    (    )     recall or relate to an event from the past – known as an episodic memory. The Japanese team got the felines to eat from

    (    )     The scientists also said that cats were as good as dogs on a whole variety of mental tests, including responding

    Put the words in the right order

    1. dogs   than   are  cats   more   People  intelligent   assume  creatures   .
    2. into   notion   question   has   by   been   scientists   called   This   .
    3. course   always   Cat   of   have   this   ,   ,   known   lovers   .
    4. to   tested   remember   on   The   their   cats   ability   were   .
    5. cats   what   The   the   recall   ate   found   could   they   team   .
    6. tests   As   on   mental   a   good   whole   as   variety   dogs   of   .
    7. the   similar  think  way   about  humans   past  do   events  Cats   to   .
    8. of   function   introspective   an   to   Related   mind   the   .
    9. may   type   in   study   a   consciousness   Our   imply   of   cats   .
    10. establish   to   Helps   relationships   human   -   cat   better   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    For whatever / however reason, people resume / assume dogs are more intelligent creatures than cats. This motion / notion has been called into question by scientists in Japan, who have said that cats are as smart as dogs at certain / certainly memory tests. Cat loves / lovers, of course, have always known this. Researchers at Kyoto University conducted tests on how well 49 cats could recall or relate to an event from the / a past – known as an episodic memory. The Japanese team got the canines / felines to eat from one of two bowls. Fifteen minutes later, the cats were tested on their ability / able to remember which bowl they had eaten from and which remaining / remained untouched. The team found the cats could recall what they ate and where, suggests / suggesting they had episodic memory.

    The scientists also said that cats were as good as dogs on a whole / entire variety of mental tests, including response / responding to the gestures, facial expressions and emoticons / emotions of humans. Researcher Saho Takagi told reporters that she believed / belief cats think about past events similar to the way humans do. She said: "An interesting speculation / speculating is that they may enjoy actively / active recalling memories of their experience / experiential, like humans." She added: "Episodic memory is viewed as being rated / related to an introspective function of the mind. Our study may imply / comply a type of consciousness in cats." Ms Takagi said the research is good news for pet owners, saying: "Understanding cats more deeply helps to establish / establishment better cat-human relationships."

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    F_r wh_t_v_r r__s_n, p__pl_ _ss_m_ d_gs _r_ m_r_ _nt_ll_g_nt cr__t_r_s th_n c_ts. Th_s n_t__n h_s b__n c_ll_d _nt_ q__st__n by sc__nt_sts _n J_p_n, wh_ h_v_ s__d th_t c_ts _r_ _s sm_rt _s d_gs _t c_rt__n m_m_ry t_sts. C_t l_v_rs, _f c__rs_, h_v_ _lw_ys kn_wn th_s. R_s__rch_rs _t Ky_t_ _n_v_rs_ty c_nd_ct_d t_sts _n h_w w_ll 49 c_ts c__ld r_c_ll _r r_l_t_ t_ _n _v_nt fr_m th_ p_st – kn_wn _s _n _p_s_d_c m_m_ry. Th_ J_p_n_s_ t__m g_t th_ f_l_n_s t_ __t fr_m _n_ _f tw_ b_wls. F_ft__n m_n_t_s l_t_r, th_ c_ts w_r_ t_st_d _n th__r _b_l_ty t_ r_m_mb_r wh_ch b_wl th_y h_d __t_n fr_m _nd wh_ch r_m__n_d _nt__ch_d. Th_ t__m f__nd th_ c_ts c__ld r_c_ll wh_t th_y _t_ _nd wh_r_, s_gg_st_ng th_y h_d _p_s_d_c m_m_ry.

    Th_ sc__nt_sts _ls_ s__d th_t c_ts w_r_ _s g__d _s d_gs _n _ wh_l_ v_r__ty _f m_nt_l t_sts, _ncl_d_ng r_sp_nd_ng t_ th_ g_st_r_s, f_c__l _xpr_ss__ns _nd _m_t__ns _f h_m_ns. R_s__rch_r S_h_ T_k_g_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs th_t sh_ b_l__v_d c_ts th_nk _b__t p_st _v_nts s_m_l_r t_ th_ w_y h_m_ns d_. Sh_ s__d: "_n _nt_r_st_ng sp_c_l_t__n _s th_t th_y m_y _nj_y _ct_v_ly r_c_ll_ng m_m_r__s _f th__r _xp_r__nc_, l_k_ h_m_ns." Sh_ _dd_d: "_p_s_d_c m_m_ry _s v__w_d _s b__ng r_l_t_d t_ _n _ntr_sp_ct_v_ f_nct__n _f th_ m_nd. __r st_dy m_y _mply _ typ_ _f c_nsc___sn_ss _n c_ts." Ms T_k_g_ s__d th_ r_s__rch _s g__d n_ws f_r p_t _wn_rs, s_y_ng: "_nd_rst_nd_ng c_ts m_r_ d__ply h_lps t_ _st_bl_sh b_tt_r c_t-h_m_n r_l_t__nsh_ps."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    for whatever reason people assume dogs are more intelligent creatures than cats this notion has been called into question by scientists in japan who have said that cats are as smart as dogs at certain memory tests cat lovers of course have always known this researchers at kyoto university conducted tests on how well 49 cats could recall or relate to an event from the past – known as an episodic memory the japanese team got the felines to eat from one of two bowls fifteen minutes later the cats were tested on their ability to remember which bowl they had eaten from and which remained untouched the team found the cats could recall what they ate and where suggesting they had episodic memory

    the scientists also said that cats were as good as dogs on a whole variety of mental tests including responding to the gestures facial expressions and emotions of humans researcher saho takagi told reporters that she believed cats think about past events similar to the way humans do she said "an interesting speculation is that they may enjoy actively recalling memories of their experience like humans" she added "episodic memory is viewed as being related to an introspective function of the mind our study may imply a type of consciousness in cats" ms takagi said the research is good news for pet owners saying "understanding cats more deeply helps to establish better cat-human relationships"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Forwhateverreason,peopleassumedogsaremoreintelligentcreature
    sthancats.ThisnotionhasbeencalledintoquestionbyscientistsinJapan
    ,whohavesaidthatcatsareassmartasdogsatcertainmemorytests.Cat
    lovers,ofcourse,havealwaysknownthis.ResearchersatKyotoUniversi
    tyconductedtestsonhowwell49catscouldrecallorrelatetoaneventfro
    mthepast–knownasanepisodicmemory.TheJapaneseteamgotthefel
    inestoeatfromoneoftwobowls.Fifteenminuteslater,thecatsweretest
    edontheirabilitytorememberwhichbowltheyhadeatenfromandwhich
    remaineduntouched.Theteamfoundthecatscouldrecallwhattheyate
    andwhere,suggestingtheyhadepisodicmemory.Thescientistsalsosai
    dthatcatswereasgoodasdogsonawholevarietyofmentaltests,include
    ngrespondingtothegestures,facialexpressionsandemotionsofhuma
    ns.ResearcherSahoTakagitoldreportersthatshebelievedcatsthinkab
    outpasteventssimilartothewayhumansdo.Shesaid:"Aninterestingsp
    eculationisthattheymayenjoyactivelyrecallingmemoriesoftheirexpe
    rience,likehumans."Sheadded:"Episodicmemoryisviewedasbeingre
    latedtoanintrospectivefunctionofthemind.Ourstudymayimplyatype
    ofconsciousnessincats."MsTakagisaidtheresearchisgoodnewsforpet
    owners,saying:"Understandingcatsmoredeeplyhelpstoestablishbet
    tercat-humanrelationships."

    Free writing

    Write about cats for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    Cats are more intelligent than dogs. Discuss.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. CATS: Make a poster about cats and intelligence. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. CATS AND DOGS: Write a magazine article about cats being more intelligent than dogs. Include imaginary interviews with people who agree and disagree.

    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on cats. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three examples showing that cats are more intelligent than dogs. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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