Pet Benefits

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Pet benefits Lesson code: MRGQ-4PKB-8CE7-H

INTERMEDIATE +

1 Warm-up Do you own a pet? Why/why not?

2 Key words Complete the definitions with the words below: confide recover

immune system self-esteem

1. A

isolation stroke

playmate well-being

is a friend who a child often plays with.

2. If you

a dog, you move your hand over its head.

3. If you have a feeling of 4. If you you have have high high abilities.

, you feel lonely. , you you have have conf confid iden ence ce in your yourse self lf and and beli believ evee in your your qual qualit itie iess and and

5. If you you sadness.

, you you beco become me heal health thyy or happ happyy agai againn afte afterr an illn illnes ess, s, inju injury ry,, or peri period od of

6. If you you else.

in some somebo body dy,, you you tell tell them them a secr secret et and and you you trus trustt that that they they won' won'tt tell tell anyo anyone ne

7. If you have have a stro trong

, your our body body is abl able to figh fightt aga agains inst dis diseas eases. es.

8. If some someth thin ingg is good good for for your your

, it make makess you you happ happy, y, heal health thyy and and comf comfor orta tabl ble. e.

3 Reading Read the article about the benefits of having a pet and find answers to the questions below. 1. How does does stroki stroking ng a pet pet relieve relieve stress? stress? 2. What evidence mentioned mentioned in the article suggests that pets can help people recover from serious illnesses? 3. Which group of of people people benefits benefits the most most from from pets? pets? 4. How do pets pets benefit benefit children children with with emotional emotional problem problems? s? 5. How can pets educate educate childr children? en? 6. How do pets pets prevent children children from from developing developing medical medical problem problems? s? 7. How can can animals animals be be dangerous dangerous to to our health health? ? E

You can review this worksheet online at www.linguahouse.com/ex Review your flashcards at least 3-5 times a week for 20 minutes to keep the material fresh in your memory. c Linguahouse.com 

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The health benefits of having a pet All age groups can benefit physically and psychologically, but children could have the greatest advantages. For many kids, the pet represents a source of security, as well as a playmate. 1 Scientific research on human-animal relationships supports the belief that animals offer us many benefits, including a wide range of physical and psychological health benefits. For example, the action of stroking a pet or watching fish swimming in an aquarium can relieve stress by temporarily lowering heart-rate and blood pressure. 2 Different studies have shown that pet owners are healthier than non-owners. In general, they make fewer trips to the doctors every year, and, when they become ill, they suffer from fewer serious illnesses. Owning a pet, especially a dog, can also increase our chances of recovering from serious health problems. Indeed, one American study found that dog owners were 8.6 times more likely to still be alive one year after a heart attack than people who didn't own a dog! 3 Psychologically, pets can reduce our feelings of isolation and depression, and increase feelings of self-esteem. 4 While all age-groups can benefit from owing a pet, children could have the greatest advantages. For many kids, a pet is a source of security and a channel for discussing their fears and worries. This may be helpful to children who are suffering emotionally because of family problems. 5 One recent study from Cambridge has found that these children actually confide more in their pets than their siblings and suggests that the relationship between young people and their pets may be more complex than we think. 6 Pets can also educate children, helping them learn about life and death and teaching them the important life skills of taking responsibility, time management and sharing. In addition, pet ownership may also play a role in character development. Some studies, for instance, have reported that children who grow up with pets are more caring as adults. 7 According to some medical studies, children who live with pets have a smaller chance of developing medical problems like asthma, ear infections and allergies. This is possibly a result of changes to the child's immune system. 8 However, it must be remembered that animals can be dangerous to human health. They spread disease, give people allergies, bite and can cause psychological trauma. Pets should certainly not be regarded as a perfect pill for treating health problems. But if they are used in the correct way and with the right people, animals can improve our well-being and quality of lives, particularly the lives of children.

Adapted from The Independent, 13 May 2015, by Deborah Wells

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4 Find the words Find a word or phrase in the text which means... 1. for a short, limited period of time (adverb, P1) 2. brothers or sisters (plural noun, P5) 3. showing kindness and concern for other people (adjective, P6) 4. become an adult (phrasal verb, P6) 5. an illness that makes it difficult to breathe (noun, P7)

5 Health collocations Complete the questions with the verbs below: improve

make

recover

1. What activities can help to

spread

stress?

2. Why do some people

more trips to the doctor than other people?

3. What can help people to 4. What can

relieve

from an illness such as the flu? people's well-being?

5. What situations can

disease?

In pairs, ask and answer the questions.

6 Talking point Discuss any of the questions below. 1. Do you agree with the article? 2. Is it popular to have a pet in your country? 3. Do you think it's ethical to have pets? 4. What kind of animals should not be kept as pets?

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7 Developing an argument The following underlined expressions from the text are used to develop an argument. Put them into the appropriate categories below the box.

In general, they make fewer trips to the doctors every year ... In addition, pet ownership may also play a role in character development. For example, the action of stroking a pet or watching fish swimming in an aquarium can ... Some studies, for instance, have reported that children who grow up with pets are more caring as adults. Owning a pet, especially a dog, can also increase our chances of recovering from serious health problems. Indeed, one American study found that ... However, it must be remembered that animals can be dangerous to human health. But if they are used in the correct way and with the right people, animals can ...

Talking in general: Giving an example: Making a contrast: Giving or adding another point: Giving a supporting point:

Indeed

Add the following expressions to the categories above:

On the whole,

Furthermore, (FORMAL)

On top of that, (INFORMAL)

On the other hand,

8 Discussion Discuss any of the topics below. You have one minute to make notes and 1-2 minutes to talk. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of ... 1. using social media websites 2. mobile phones/cellphones 3. drinking coffee 4. living in a large city 5. living in the countryside 6. using public transport Try to develop your arguments and connect your ideas. E


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2- Key words

1. playmate 5. recover

2. stroke 6. confide

3. isolation 7. immune system

4. self-esteem 8. well-being

3- Reading Go through the questions and check understanding of the vocabulary.

1. It lowers heart-rate and blood pressure. 2. A survey showed that dog owners were 8.6 times more likely to still be alive one year after a heart attack than people who didn't own a dog 3. children 4. Children can confide in their pets. 5. They learn about life and death, taking responsibility, time management and sharing. 6. Their immune system is changed. 7. They spread disease, give people allergies, bite and can cause psychological trauma. 4- Find the words

1. temporarily 2. siblings

3. caring

4. grow up

5. asthma

5- Health collocations

1. relieve

2. make

3. recover

4. improve

5. spread

6- Talking point Encourage a discussion on pets. Feel free to invent your own questions. 7- Developing an argument This exercise will prepare students to discuss any topic at length. Give further examples of the connectors and how they are used to develop an argument.

Talking in general: In general; On the whole Giving an example: for example; for instance Making a contrast: however; but; on the other hand; Giving or adding another point: in addition; furthermore; on top of that 8- Discussion Students take turns to discuss each topic. They have one minute to take notes but they should avoid writing full sentences. Encourage them to develop their arguments using expressions from this lesson and any other useful connecting words and phrases. Their partners can listen and ask further questions at the end. Alternatively you can set this exercise as a written activity for homework.

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