©(Skylar Young-Bayer via Associated Press)
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- How do you think a dog feels when it moves to a new place?
- What would you bring if you had to search for a lost pet?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- county /KOUN-tee/
- theme /theem/
- hibernation /hahy-ber-NEY-shuhn/
- moss /mos/
- tranquilizer /TRANG-kwuh-lahy-zer/
[noun] – a part of a country or state that has its own local government
Many people lost power during the snowstorm in the mountain county.
[noun] – the main subject of a talk, book, film, etc.
The film shows strong themes of courage and family.
[noun] – a deep sleep that some animals go into during winter
The bear came out of hibernation when the weather became warm.
[noun] – a small green plant that grows in wet places or on rocks and trees
The old stone wall was covered with moss after the rainy season.
[noun] – a drug used to make a person or animal calmer
Tranquilizers were used to safely move the zoo animals.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
In early January 2025, wildfires hit Los Angeles, leaving many animals homeless. Jackie, a stray dog, was rescued from a crowded shelter in Los Angeles County. With the shelter facing tough choices, Jackie was sent to Juneau, Alaska, through an animal adoption program run by volunteers. She arrived in mid-February, but on her first day in her new home, she ran away. She escaped into a thick forest near a busy road, and no one has been able to catch her since.
Jackie’s story has touched many people, combining the themes of survival and mystery. There is growing concern for her safety, especially now that black bears are waking up from hibernation in the area. Juneau Animal Rescue and local officers have tried many ways to find her. They have set up food traps and used infrared cameras at night. Officer Thom Young-Bayer said there has been some progress. Jackie, a German shepherd-husky mix, has been seen more often and does not run away right away anymore. She hides using moss and stays away from lights, making her hard to spot. Officials said they cannot use tranquilizers because they might lose track of her. The rescue team calls this a “battle of wills,” and volunteers remain dedicated to bringing Jackie home safely.
Jackie’s story has touched many people, combining the themes of survival and mystery. There is growing concern for her safety, especially now that black bears are waking up from hibernation in the area. Juneau Animal Rescue and local officers have tried many ways to find her. They have set up food traps and used infrared cameras at night. Officer Thom Young-Bayer said there has been some progress. Jackie, a German shepherd-husky mix, has been seen more often and does not run away right away anymore. She hides using moss and stays away from lights, making her hard to spot. Officials said they cannot use tranquilizers because they might lose track of her. The rescue team calls this a “battle of wills,” and volunteers remain dedicated to bringing Jackie home safely.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What happened in Los Angeles in January 2025?
- Where was Jackie rescued from?
- What did Jackie do on her first day in her new home?
- Why are people worried about Jackie now?
- What are rescue teams using to try and find Jackie?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever seen a stray dog or cat in your town? If so, what did you do? If not, what do you think you would do if you saw one?
- Have you ever been in a forest or mountain area? If yes, what did you see or hear there? If not, would you like to visit one? Why or why not?
- Do you agree that using food traps and cameras is a good way to find Jackie?
- Why do you think Jackie ran away from her new home on the first day?
- What can we learn from Jackie’s story about caring for animals?