Family Album USA 7 — Man’s best friend

Walkman: a small radio and tape player with earphones.

so: very. So is more emotional than very.

thoughtful: kind

such a nice family: a very nice family. Such a is more emotional than a very. Use such a before an adjective and a singular noun.

I can tell. = I can see.

What’s up? = What’s happening? This is a very popular expression.

silly: ridiculous

cheer you up: to make you feel happier

if we go: To refer to a future possibility after if, use a present verb form (go, not will go).

or else: if not. Here, this phrase means «if I don’t turn off the lights.»

get: to become. Get often has this meaning before an adjective or an adverb describing an adjective.

barking: the loud sounds that a dog makes

springer spaniel: a type of dog

cute: pretty or attractive, like a child

I’ve always wanted . . . = I have always wanted . . . Have wanted is in the present perfect verb tense. This tense (have/has + past participle) refers to a time before now or until now, with a focus on the present. In other words, the present perfect always connects the past to the present.

no longer in service: not working anymore

You’ve lost. . . = You have lost… Here, Alexandra uses the present perfect verb tense because losing the family is before now, but Alexandra is thinking of the dog’s present lonely condition.

Activities

«SO» AND «SUCH»

We use so or such instead of very to add more emotion

Use so before an adjective or an adverb.     EXAMPLES: The dog is so cute.  The Molinas treat Alexandra so nicely.

Use such before an adjective and a plural noun.     EXAMPLE: Springer spaniels are such cute dogs.

Use such a before an adjective and a singular noun.      EXAMPLE: Gemma is such a cute dog.

Complete Robbie’s sentences correctly. Write so, such, or such a in each blank.

1. Alexandra and I are _____  good friends.
2. Alexandra was_____  unhappy, and I didn’t understand why at first.
3. I asked her, «Why are you _____ sad?»
4. We always have _____ good time when we go out together.
5. Gemma looked _____ lonely . . . with _____ sad face.

A DIFFERENT «SO»

We can also use the word so in a completely different way—to mean «for that reason» or «therefore.»

EXAMPLE: Alexandra received a letter from her family, so she began to miss her family more.

Draw a line from the beginning part of each sentence to the correct ending at the right. The first answer is given.

1. Robbie got a new Walkman, so  ___ (right sentense — c)
2. Alexandra missed her family, so ___
3. The Molinas are kind to Alexandra, so ___
4. Robbie wanted to cheer up Alexandra, so ___
5. Alexandra just wanted to have fun, so ___
6. They heard something at the door, so ___
7. There was a phone number on the dog tag, so ___
a. she likes them very much.
b. she asked Robbie not to complain about math.
c. he wanted Alexandra to hear it.
d. Robbie went to open it.
e. Robbie dialed the number.
f. he suggested going out for some food.
g. she cried.

paw: the foot of an animal with four feet

well trained: taught to follow directions correctly

shelter: a temporary home or place for protection

How late are you open? = Until what time are you open?

over;  by: to that place

adopt: to take into one’s family

hard to resist: very attractive; difficult not to like

affection: a gentle, caring feeling

get: to take

poochie: dog This is an informal word. Pooch is more usual than poochie.

Atta girl! = That’s a good girl!  Atta girl! and Atta boy! are very informal expressions. You use these expressions with animals or children to show that they are doing something well.

We’re off. = We’re going; we’re on our way.

will do: will be enough

collar: a leather band for a dog’s neck

ID: identification. ID is the abbreviation, or short form, for identification.

claim: to say that one owns something

do: can or should. You can use do in this way to ask for instructions.

U.S. LIFE

The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) began in New York in 1866. This group works to protect animals. In the United States, there are laws against treating animals badly. The ASPCA investigates cases against people who are cruel to animals to be sure that these people are punished. The ASPCA has its own animal shelters and animal hospitals. It also inspects places where many animals are kept to be sure that these animals are cared for. The United States has about 600 societies like the ASPCA.

YOUR TURN

• Are there groups similar to the ASPCA in your country?
• Do you think a government should make laws to protect the rights of animals? Why, or why not?
• Do you agree that people who are cruel to animals should be punished?

Activities

PRONUNCIATION
There are two pronunciations of the word the. You hear «the» [thə] before a consonant sound and «thee» [the] (with a long e sound) before a vowel sound. Remember that the pronunciation of the depends on the sound that follows it.

Read the following sentences. Connect the word the to the following vowel sound every time it needs a long e sound. Use a line( _ ). The first answer is given.

1. The director at the _ ASPCA is very helpful.
2. The problem is they need to find the owner of the dog.
3. The hour is very late, but the animal shelter is open till nine.
4. Robbie has the idea to adopt Gemma if the owners (the Levinsons) don’t call the office.

CROSSWORD

Fill in this crossword puzzle.

ACROSS
2. Robbie lives in _____ , New York.
4. Gemma is a _____.
7. Robbie would like to _____ Gemma.
9. The Levinsons are Gemma’s  _____.
12. _____ is Robbie’s friend.
13. Gemma misses her _____ , and Alexandra misses hers, too.

DOWN
1. Alexandra is from _____.
3. _____ has a new Walkman.
5. Linda Aborn’s office is _____ until nine o’clock.
6. Gemma has an ID tag on her _____.
7. The _____ helps animals.
8. Linda Aborn will try to _____  the Levinsons.
10. Robbie remembered when a ______  was caught in the branches of a tree.
11. If no one comes to _____  Gemma in forty-eight hours, Robbie might keep her.

fill out: to complete

family background: family history and information

Is that it? = Is that all?

ever: at any time

unfortunately: I’m sorry to say

cuddle: to hold in a gentle, loving way

pet: an animal that one usually keeps at home

pal: a close friend

man’s best friend: This phrase means that a dog can be a person’s closest companion.

adult: a person twenty-one years of age or older

be back: to return

folks: people. This is a friendly, informal word.

chef’s salad: a large salad, usually with lettuce, tomato, turkey, ham, and cheese

medium rare: a way to order a hamburger or a steak

raw: not cooked

Stewart residence: the home of the Stewarts. This is a formal way to answer the telephone.

This is he. = This is Robbie Stewart. This is he or This is she is a frequent response when a caller asks to speak to the person who answers the telephone.

U.S. LIFE

Dogs, cats, birds, and fish are common pets in American homes. Americans often think of a pet as one of the family. Many people believe that taking care of a pet helps children learn responsibility. For this reason, many classrooms have small pets, such as rabbits or frogs.

YOUR TURN

• Which pets are common in your country?
• Do you have a pet? If not, would you like to own one?
• What kinds of animals do you like? Are there any animals that you don’t like?

Activities

PETS IN THE U.S.A
How many of these pets can you name? Try to find the correct name in the box. Then write the name of the pet on the line below each picture.

Bird / Cat / Rabbit / Fish / Dog

DIFFERENT REFERENCES

What is the reference for the underlined pronoun in each of the following lines from this episode? Circle a or b.

1. In Act I, Robbie says, «Richard and Marilyn bought U for me for my birthday.»
a. the Walkman            b. the dog

2. In Act I, Robbie says, «Did they write some bad news?»
a. Robbie’s parents           b. Alexandra’s parents

3. In Act II, Robbie says, «We once found a cat.»
a. Robbie and Alexandra       b. the Stewart family

4. In Act II, Robbie says, «I’m sure they’ll find the owner.»
a. the ASPCA           b. the Levinsons

5. In Act II, Alexandra says,»She found us.»
a. Linda Aborn           b. Gemma

6. In Act III, Linda says, «And the Levinsons thank you for bringing their dog to us.»
a. Robbie and Alexandra        b. the ASPCA