Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What do you already know or think about Bengal cats?
- What do you believe are some of the benefits and responsibilities associated with having a pet cat?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- breed /breed/
- household /HOUS-hohld/
- ban /ban/
- distinguish /dih-STING-gwish/
- ancestor /AN-ses-ter/
[noun] – a particular type of animal or plant
The Labrador Retriever is a popular breed of dog known for its friendly nature.
[noun] – homes or living environments of people
Many households in the neighborhood have adopted Shiba Inu dogs for their friendly demeanor, intelligence, and charming appearance.
[verb] – to forbid (refuse to allow) something, especially officially
The government decided to ban smoking in all public places.
[verb] – to notice or understand the difference between two things, or to make one person or thing seem different from another
He could easily distinguish between the two identical-looking twins.
[noun] – a biological predecessor or forebear from an earlier generation
Many people are curious about their ancestors and their family’s history.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Bengal cats are highly prized for their stunning appearance and lively demeanor, making them a favored breed among cat lovers. Their striking resemblance to leopards and their active nature make them a distinctive choice for households. The widespread use of the hashtag #Bengalcat on platforms like TikTok, with nearly 100 million views, attests to their popularity in the online community.
Bengal cats, though popular, face legal restrictions in some U.S. states due to their unique ancestry. They are a mix of a domestic cat and an Asian Leopard Cat, which raises legal complexities. Many states explicitly ban owning wild animals like Asian Leopard Cats as pets. This makes it hard to distinguish if Bengal cats can be kept legally. For instance, in New York State, they must be at least five generations away from their wild ancestor, and they need official registration. The rules vary in different places. In Seattle, owning Bengal cats is forbidden, but outside the city, it depends on local laws. In Hawai’i, they are completely prohibited, while states like Connecticut allow them with specific conditions. Potential Bengal cat owners should thoroughly research and understand local laws before bringing one home.
Bengal cats, though popular, face legal restrictions in some U.S. states due to their unique ancestry. They are a mix of a domestic cat and an Asian Leopard Cat, which raises legal complexities. Many states explicitly ban owning wild animals like Asian Leopard Cats as pets. This makes it hard to distinguish if Bengal cats can be kept legally. For instance, in New York State, they must be at least five generations away from their wild ancestor, and they need official registration. The rules vary in different places. In Seattle, owning Bengal cats is forbidden, but outside the city, it depends on local laws. In Hawai’i, they are completely prohibited, while states like Connecticut allow them with specific conditions. Potential Bengal cat owners should thoroughly research and understand local laws before bringing one home.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What makes Bengal cats popular among cat lovers?
- What is their unique ancestry that leads to legal restrictions in some U.S. states?
- Why do Bengal cats face legal complexities in certain places?
- What is the requirement for Bengal cats in New York State to be considered legal pets?
- What advice is given to potential Bengal cat owners in the article?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever thought about having a Bengal cat as a pet? If so, what do you like about how they look or behave? If not, is there a reason you haven’t thought about it?
- Do you know about the rules for owning pets where you live? Have you ever had to follow any specific rules for having certain types of animals? If so, can you share what those rules were? If not, have you ever thought about checking out these rules?
- Were you aware of the legal restrictions surrounding Bengal cats in some U.S. states?
- How do you think the laws about Bengal cats relate to bigger issues about taking care of pets and protecting wildlife? What are some ideas for solving these problems?
- What factors do you think are important when deciding if a certain type of animal can be a pet in a house? How can these factors balance what pet owners want and taking care of wildlife?