Change a Life: Adopt an Animal B1
This is a free B1 intermediate level English reading lesson about animals. It includes the reading and reading comprehension exercises in 4 different formats together with the answer keys and explanations.
- True/False questions
- Multiple choice questions
- Short answer questions
- Multiple choice cloze exercise
Change a Life: Adopt an Animal
Table of Contents
Change a Life: Adopt an Animal
Once there was a young kid who loved animals with all his heart. It was a sunny Saturday when he and his family went to an animal shelter. The air was filled with different sounds: dogs barking joyfully, cats meowing softly, and birds chirping happily. This place was full of animals looking for a home.
The first animal he saw was a brown guinea pig munching on some hay. It had shiny eyes and looked very calm. Next to it, there was a playful ferret running in a clear tube. The kid giggled as it went round and round. Then he saw a group of cats playing together. They were jumping, running, and some were just lying in the sun.
There was a small room with kittens in it. Many of them were cuddled up together asleep. One kitten caught the kid’s eye. It had no tail but looked so brave and lovely. The animal shelter staff told the child that this kitten had been rescued from a busy road. There was something special about it, and the kid felt a strong bond.
The kid asked his parents if they could take this kitten home. After talking about it, they all agreed that it was a good idea. They decided to call her Lucky because she was a survivor. They knew she would need a litter box, some food, and toys to play with.
Before leaving, the staff explained how to care for Lucky. They said she should visit a veterinarian regularly to stay healthy. Lucky was an affectionate cat, purring and rubbing against their legs. It was clear she was happy to be part of a family now.
On the way home, the kid thought about all the adventures ahead. Lucky would have a safe home and lots of love every day. The experience at the animal shelter was unforgettable. It taught the kid about kindness and the joy of giving a rescue animal a new life. From that day, Lucky was more than just a cat; she became a beautiful part of their family.
CEFR Level Card
General Level: B1.3
Vocabulary: B1.4
Verb Forms: A2.5
Sentences: B1.0
Vocabulary
affectionate ADJ C1 x1
Definition (En):
- having or displaying warmth or affection
bark VERB B2 x1
Definition (En):
- tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
n. a noise resembling the bark of a dog
n. a sailing ship with 3 (or more) masts
n. the sound made by a dog
bond NOUN B2 x1
Definition (En):
- a certificate of debt (usually interest-bearing or discounted) that is issued by a government or corporation in order to raise money; the issuer is required to pay a fixed sum annually until maturity and then a fixed sum to repay the principal
n. a superior quality of strong durable white writing paper; originally made for printing documents
n. United States civil rights leader who was elected to the legislature in Georgia but was barred from taking his seat because he opposed the Vietnam War (born 1940)
n. British secret operative 007 in novels by Ian Fleming
chirp VERB C2 x1
Definition (En):
- a sharp sound made by small birds or insects
cuddle VERB C2 x1
Definition (En):
- a close and affectionate (and often prolonged) embrace
v. move or arrange oneself in a comfortable and cozy position
v. hold (a person or thing) close, as for affection, comfort, or warmth
ferret NOUN C2 x1
Definition (En):
- domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits
v. hound or harry relentlessly
v. hunt with ferrets
giggle VERB C2 x1
Definition (En):
- a foolish or nervous laugh
v. laugh nervously
guinea NOUN +∞ x1
Definition (En):
- a former British gold coin worth 21 shillings
n. a republic in western Africa on the Atlantic; formerly a French colony; achieved independence from France in 1958
hay NOUN C1 x1
Definition (En):
- grass mowed and cured for use as fodder
v. convert (plant material) into hay
joy NOUN B2 x1
Definition (En):
- the emotion of great happiness
n. something or someone that provides a source of happiness
joyfully ADV C1 x1
Definition (En):
r in a joyous and gleeful manner
litter NOUN B2 x1
Definition (En):
- the offspring at one birth of a multiparous mammal
n. rubbish carelessly dropped or left about (especially in public places)
n. conveyance consisting of a chair or bed carried on two poles by bearers
v. strew
munch VERB C1 x1
Definition (En):
- Norwegian painter (1863-1944)
n. a large bite
purr VERB C2 x1
Definition (En):
- a low vibrating sound typical of a contented cat
v. indicate pleasure by purring; characteristic of cats
rub VERB B2 x1
Definition (En):
- the act of rubbing or wiping
v. move over something with pressure
v. cause friction
v. scrape or rub as if to relieve itching
shelter NOUN B2 x3
Definition (En):
- a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
n. protective covering that provides protection from the weather
n. temporary housing for homeless or displaced persons
v. provide shelter for
survivor NOUN B2 x1
Definition (En):
- one who lives through affliction
n. one who outlives another
n. an animal that survives in spite of adversity
veterinarian NOUN C2 x1
Definition (En):
- a doctor who practices veterinary medicine
Phrases
PHRASE | COUNT | SENTENCES |
be full of | 1 |
|
care for (someone or something) | 1 |
|
cuddle up | 1 |
|
guinea pig | 1 |
|
in the sun | 1 |
|
lots of love | 1 |
|
on the way | 1 |
|
rescue from (someone or something) | 1 |
|
with all (one’s) heart | 1 |
|
Reading Comprehension Exercises
True / False / Not Given
- The child found the animal shelter unpleasant because of the noises.
- The family went to the animal shelter on a weekend.
- The guinea pig the kid first saw had dark fur.
- The kid laughed when he saw the ferret moving through the tube.
- The shelter had no cats that day.
- The child decided to name the kitten Lucky because it didn’t have a tail.
- The staff at the shelter didn’t offer any advice on how to take care of the new kitten.
- Lucky showed happiness by making a loud noise.
- The child learned something about being nice from the trip to the shelter.
- Lucky was the only cat in the shelter without a tail.
Multiple Choice
1) What did the kid learn from the visit to the animal shelter?
A) Finding a pet is easy.
B) How to be kind and give a rescue animal a new life.
C) Kittens are very playful.
D) All animals in the shelter are noisy.
2) Why did the family decide to name the kitten ‘Lucky’?
A) Because she liked playing with toys.
B) Because they met her on a sunny Saturday.
C) Because the kitten was a survivor of a difficult situation.
D) Because she had no tail.
3) What made the guinea pig stand out to the kid?
A) It was making a lot of noise.
B) It had shiny eyes and looked very calm.
C) It was running in a clear tube.
D) It was playing with cats.
4) What did the family need to do to take care of Lucky at home?
A) Bring her to school.
B) Get her a tail.
C) Give her a litter box, some food, and toys.
D) Teach her tricks.
5) What was Lucky’s reaction to being adopted by the kid’s family?
A) She was very quiet.
B) She started barking.
C) She was purring and rubbing against their legs.
D) She went to sleep.
6) Why was the kid giggling when he saw the ferret?
A) The ferret was asleep.
B) The ferret was running in a clear tube.
C) The ferret was very calm and quiet.
D) The ferret was hiding.
7) Why could the kitten be considered ‘brave’?
A) It played with the other cats.
B) It had shiny eyes.
C) It had been rescued from a busy road.
D) It could run very fast.
8) What was the kid’s feeling toward the kitten without a tail?
A) He was scared of it.
B) He was angry at it.
C) He felt a strong bond with it.
D) He thought it was too noisy.
9) What should the kid’s family do regularly for Lucky’s health?
A) Take her swimming.
B) Visit a veterinarian regularly.
C) Buy her a new toy every week.
D) Teach her to meow softly.
10) What aspect of the animal shelter did the kid find most memorable?
A) It was very quiet.
B) It had many different types of animals.
C) The animals were all sleeping.
D) The experience of adopting a pet and the kindness involved.
Short Answer
- What did the young kid feel towards animals?
- What kind of place did the kid visit on Saturday?
- Which animal at the shelter caught the kid’s eye?
- Why did the kid and his parents decide to name the kitten Lucky?
- What did the animal shelter staff say Lucky should do regularly?
- What did the young kid learn from the animal shelter experience?
- What toy did the ferret play with at the shelter?
- What were the group of cats doing at the shelter?
- What did Lucky do to show she was happy?
- How did Lucky become a part of the family?
Multiple Choice Cloze
Once there was a young kid who loved animals with all his heart. It was a sunny Saturday when he and his family went to an animal shelter. The air was filled with different sounds: dogs barking ___1___, cats meowing softly, and birds chirping happily. This place was full of animals looking for a home.
The first animal he saw was a brown guinea pig munching on some hay. It had shiny eyes and looked very ___2___. Next to it, there was a playful ferret running in a clear tube. The kid giggled as it went round and round. Then he saw a group of cats playing together. They were jumping, running, and some were just lying in the sun.
There was a small room with kittens in it. Many of them were cuddled up together ___3___. One kitten caught the kid’s eye. It had no tail but looked so brave and ___4___. The animal shelter staff told the child that this kitten had been rescued from a busy road. There was something special about it, and the kid felt a strong ___5___.
The kid asked his parents if they could take this kitten home. After ___6___ about it, they all agreed that it was a good idea. They decided to call her Lucky because she was a survivor. They knew she would need a litter box, some food, and toys to ___7___ with.
Before leaving, the staff explained how to care for Lucky. They said she should visit a ___8___ regularly to stay healthy. Lucky was an affectionate cat, ___9___ and rubbing against their legs. It was clear she was happy to be part of a family now.
On the way home, the kid thought about all the ___10___ ahead. Lucky would have a safe home and lots of love every day. The experience at the animal shelter was unforgettable. It taught the kid about kindness and the joy of giving a rescue animal a new ___11___. From that day, Lucky was more than just a cat; she became a beautiful part of their ___12___.
1) A. joyfully B. sadly C. angrily D. loudly
2) A. calm B. scary C. rude D. hard
3) A. running B. asleep C. drinking D. hunting
4) A. angry B. lovely C. furious D. mean
5) A. bond B. fight C. argument D. dance
6) A. laughing B. dancing C. talking D. writing
7) A. eat B. play C. work D. sing
8) A. teacher B. veterinarian C. mechanic D. chef
9) A. purring B. shouting C. screaming D. whistling
10) A. challenges B. stories C. sports D. adventures
11) A. house B. life C. party D. shelter
12) A. school B. team C. family D. church
Exercise Answers
True / False / Not Given Answers
- False
Explanation: The text describes the sounds at the shelter as joyful, soft, and happy, which suggests the environment was not unpleasant.
(“The air was filled with different sounds: dogs barking joyfully, cats meowing softly, and birds chirping happily.”)
- True
Explanation: The text explicitly states it was a sunny Saturday, which is part of the weekend.
(“It was a sunny Saturday when he and his family went to an animal shelter.”)
- True
Explanation: The text mentions the guinea pig was brown, which means it had dark fur.
(“The first animal he saw was a brown guinea pig munching on some hay.”)
- True
Explanation: The text states that the kid giggled, which is another word for laughed, when he saw the ferret.
(“The kid giggled as it went round and round.”)
- False
Explanation: The text mentions a group of cats playing together, which means there were cats at the shelter.
(“Then he saw a group of cats playing together.”)
- False
Explanation: The reason given for the name ‘Lucky’ was that the kitten was a survivor, not because it had no tail.
(“They decided to call her Lucky because she was a survivor.”)
- False
Explanation: The text shows that the staff did explain how to care for the kitten.
(“Before leaving, the staff explained how to care for Lucky.”)
- False
Explanation: Purring is a quiet sound that cats make when happy, not a loud noise.
(“Lucky was an affectionate cat, purring and rubbing against their legs.”)
- True
Explanation: The text states that the experience taught the kid about kindness.
(“It taught the kid about kindness and the joy of giving a rescue animal a new life.”)
- Not Given
Explanation: The text does not provide information about whether Lucky was the only tailless cat in the shelter.
(“N/A”)
Multiple Choice Answers
- B
Explanation: The text states that the experience taught the kid about kindness and the joy of providing a rescue animal with a new life, which is what the kid learned as mentioned towards the end.
(“It taught the kid about kindness and the joy of giving a rescue animal a new life.”)
- C
Explanation: The text explains that they named the kitten ‘Lucky’ because she had survived being rescued from a busy road, making her a survivor.
(“They decided to call her Lucky because she was a survivor.”)
- B
Explanation: The text specifically describes the guinea pig as having shiny eyes and looking very calm, distinguishing it from the other animals mentioned.
(“The first animal he saw was a brown guinea pig munching on some hay. It had shiny eyes and looked very calm.”)
- C
Explanation: The text lists the items the family knew they would need for Lucky, which are a litter box, food, and toys.
(“They knew she would need a litter box, some food, and toys to play with.”)
- C
Explanation: The text describes Lucky as being affectionate by purring and rubbing against their legs, showing happiness.
(“Lucky was an affectionate cat, purring and rubbing against their legs. It was clear she was happy to be part of a family now.”)
- B
Explanation: The child giggled at the sight of the playful ferret running in a clear tube, finding its actions amusing.
(“Next to it, there was a playful ferret running in a clear tube. The kid giggled as it went round and round.”)
- C
Explanation: The text indicates the kitten’s bravery by mentioning that it had been rescued from a busy road, suggesting it endured a tough situation.
(“One kitten caught the kid’s eye. It had no tail but looked so brave and lovely. The animal shelter staff told the child that this kitten had been rescued from a busy road.”)
- C
Explanation: The text says there was something special about the tailless kitten that made the kid feel a strong bond with it.
(“There was something special about it, and the kid felt a strong bond.”)
- B
Explanation: According to the shelter staff’s advice mentioned in the text, Lucky should regularly visit a veterinarian to maintain her health.
(“They said she should visit a veterinarian regularly to stay healthy.”)
- D
Explanation: The text closes by stating that the experience at the animal shelter was unforgettable, particularly teaching about kindness and giving a rescue animal a new life.
(“The experience at the animal shelter was unforgettable. It taught the kid about kindness and the joy of giving a rescue animal a new life.”)
Short Answer Answers
- He loved animals with all his heart.
Explanation: The text says he ‘loved animals with all his heart,’ which shows his feelings towards animals.
(“Once there was a young kid who loved animals with all his heart.”)
- An animal shelter.
Explanation: The text specifies that the place visited was ‘an animal shelter.’
(“It was a sunny Saturday when he and his family went to an animal shelter.”)
- A kitten with no tail.
Explanation: The text mentions that ‘One kitten caught the kid’s eye. It had no tail…’
(“One kitten caught the kid’s eye. It had no tail but looked so brave and lovely.”)
- Because she was a survivor.
Explanation: The text explains that they named her Lucky ‘because she was a survivor.’
(“They decided to call her Lucky because she was a survivor.”)
- Visit a veterinarian.
Explanation: The text instructs that Lucky ‘should visit a veterinarian regularly to stay healthy.’
(“They said she should visit a veterinarian regularly to stay healthy.”)
- Kindness and the joy of giving a rescue animal a new life.
Explanation: The text specifies that the experience taught the kid ‘kindness and the joy of giving a rescue animal a new life.’
(“It taught the kid about kindness and the joy of giving a rescue animal a new life.”)
- A clear tube.
Explanation: The ferret was described as ‘running in a clear tube,’ which answers what it played with.
(“Next to it, there was a playful ferret running in a clear tube.”)
- Playing together.
Explanation: The text says, ‘Then he saw a group of cats playing together.’
(“Then he saw a group of cats playing together.”)
- Purring and rubbing against their legs.
Explanation: The text describes Lucky showing happiness by ‘purring and rubbing against their legs.’
(“Lucky was an affectionate cat, purring and rubbing against their legs.”)
- She was adopted and went home with them.
Explanation: Lucky becoming a part of the family is implied by the text saying, ‘she was happy to be part of a family now’ after they decided to take her home.
(“It was clear she was happy to be part of a family now.”)
Multiple Choice Cloze Answers
- A
Explanation: ‘Joyfully’ is the correct word; the other choices do not fit the context of happy sounds.
- A
Explanation: ‘Calm’ fits the description of the guinea pig; the other adjectives do not.
- B
Explanation: ‘Asleep’ is what kittens do when they rest together; the other choices do not fit.
- B
Explanation: ‘Lovely’ is used to describe something that is beautiful and appealing.
- A
Explanation: ‘Bond’ signifies a connection; the other choices don’t imply a positive relationship.
- C
Explanation: ‘Talking’ is the act of having a discussion; the other choices are actions that do not fit.
- B
Explanation: ‘Play’ is associated with toys; the other verbs do not fit the usage of toys.
- B
Explanation: ‘Veterinarian’ is an animal doctor; the other professions are irrelevant.
- A
Explanation: ‘Purring’ is a sound cats make; the other noises are not cat-related.
- D
Explanation: ‘Adventures’ suggests exciting experiences; the other choices are less specific.
- B
Explanation: ‘Life’ refers to the new start for the animal; the other choices don’t imply a new beginning.
- C
Explanation: ‘Family’ is the correct term for the group Lucky joined; the other choices do not signify familial connections.
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