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AI image: A man and a woman walk a small dog on a leash along a gravel path in a park – pets.
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Simmonds · live on simmonds.onlineA25 min · English

Pets in English: vocabulary, dialogue and conversation questions

Editorially responsible: James Simmondspublished 4 Nov 2026AI-generated text (learn more – how we use AI on these pages)

Live rounds with a trainer and a small group. To warm up: Theo asks, you answer.

Allow the microphone – Theo asks the first question.

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AI conversation partner, synthetic voice · your voice is processed live by Google Gemini, we store no audio and no transcript · max. 5 minAbout the AIWith headphones you can interrupt Theo. Without them, the microphone only listens once Theo has finished.

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Question of the day

What does Tom say about having a dog?

  1. It is easier than having a cat
  2. It costs a lot of money
  3. It is boring in the rain
Show the answer – Open the answer to the question of the day

Correct answer: It costs a lot of money

You can find the answer in the English introduction.

Listen to the introduction

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Transcript

Anna and Tom are friends. They are talking about animals. Anna wants to keep a pet – Jump to the vocabulary entry for keep a pet. She thinks a dog is good company – Jump to the vocabulary entry for good company. However, Tom warns her that dogs cost a lot of money – Jump to the vocabulary entry for cost a lot of money. Anna has to buy food and pay the vet. She also needs to take the dog for a walk – Jump to the vocabulary entry for take the dog for a walk every day, even when it rains. Anna says she could get a cat instead. She thinks it is easier to feed the cat – Jump to the vocabulary entry for feed the cat and look after – Jump to the vocabulary entry for look after it. Tom smiles and agrees. He has two cats at home and loves them very much.

Vocabulary

keep a pet/ˌkiːp ə ˈpet/
Meaning: To have an animal in your home and care for it.
Example: Many families keep a pet in their house.
good company/ɡʊd ˈkʌm.pə.ni/
Meaning: Pleasant to spend time with.
Example: My grandmother says her bird is good company.
cost a lot of money/kɒst ə lɒt əv ˈmʌn.i/
Meaning: To have a high price.
Example: Big cars cost a lot of money.
take the dog for a walk/ˌteɪk ðə dɒɡ fər ə ˈwɔːk/
Meaning: To go outside with your dog so it can exercise.
Example: I usually take the dog for a walk in the park.
feed the cat/ˌfiːd ðə ˈkæt/
Meaning: To give food to your cat.
Example: Please feed the cat before you go to bed.
look after/lʊk ˈɑːf.tə/
Meaning: To take care of someone or something.
Example: Can you look after my plants this weekend?

Dialogue

  1. SarahDo you keep a pet, Mark?
  2. MarkYes, I have a big dog. He is very good company.
  3. SarahThat sounds nice. But doesn't he cost a lot of money?
  4. MarkHe does. Food and vet bills are expensive.
  5. SarahWho looks after him when you are at work?
  6. MarkMy neighbour helps me. Then I take the dog for a walk in the evening.
  7. SarahI think I prefer cats. I could feed the cat before work.
  8. MarkCats need play and care every day too.

Questions for your conversation

Partner A

Easier: Do you have an animal at home? Why or why not?

Dog person or cat person?

More challenging: What are the main differences between owning a dog and a cat?

Partner B

Easier: Is it easy to look after an animal? Why or why not?

What is the best pet for a small flat?

More challenging: How can a pet change someone's daily routine?

Partner A

Easier: Do you like spending time with animals? Why or why not?

How much time does a pet need every day?

More challenging: Why do you think so many people choose to keep a pet despite the costs?

Useful phrases

  • I have a dog and a cat.
  • Who looks after your pet?
  • I take the dog for a walk twice a day.
  • Pets are good company.
  • Food and toys cost a lot of money.
  • I am definitely a cat person.

Topic quiz

Five quick questions check vocabulary and listening comprehension.

All conversations – Back to all English conversations

Questions

Who is Theo?

Theo is an AI conversation partner for warming up, not a teacher. The voice is synthetic. In the live rounds, a trainer talks with you.

Is my conversation stored?

We store neither audio nor a transcript. During the conversation, your voice is sent to Google (Gemini) for processing. The conversation ends after no more than five minutes.

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