Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- If you were an animal trainer, what kind of animal would you want to work with? Why?
- What kind of emotions do you think animals can feel? Can you give an example?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- landlord /LAND-lawrd/
- misunderstanding /mis-uhn-der-STAN-ding/
- consultant /kuhn-SUHL-tnt/
- appealing /uh-PEE-ling/
- visual /VIZH-oo-uhl/
[noun] – a person who owns and rents out property to others
The landlord fixed the broken sink in the apartment.
[noun] – a situation where people do not understand each other correctly
A small misunderstanding caused an argument between two friends.
[noun] – a person who gives expert advice in a particular field
The company hired a marketing consultant to improve sales.
[adjective] – attractive or interesting
That meal looks appealing with all the colorful vegetables.
[noun] – something such as a picture, photograph, or piece of film used to give a particular effect or to explain something
The teacher used visuals to help students understand the lesson.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
In Los Angeles, illustrator Lili Chin began learning about dog behavior in 2008 after her Boston terrier bit their landlord. The incident led to a warning to get professional training, which started her journey into canine communication. Chin began speaking with animal behaviorists and gradually turned her interest into helpful illustrations and books. Her popular works, such as Doggie Language (2020) and Kitty Language (2023), explain animal emotions using clear and expressive drawings that show how pets communicate through their body language—like tail movement, ear position, and posture.
These books have been praised by trainers and pet experts for helping people better understand animals and avoid common misunderstandings. Her newest book, Dogs of the World, features over 600 dog breeds, including well-known ones and rare types like the Rajapalayam from India and the Thai Ridgeback. The book also shows dogs that live in communities without owners—such as street dogs in Moscow, “rez dogs” on tribal lands in the U.S., and the surviving dogs of Chernobyl. Chin worked with behavior consultant Emily Strong to ensure the information was both accurate and easy to understand. Strong praised Chin’s art for being educational and visually appealing. By blending science with charming visuals, Chin has become a trusted voice in explaining animal behavior to the public.
These books have been praised by trainers and pet experts for helping people better understand animals and avoid common misunderstandings. Her newest book, Dogs of the World, features over 600 dog breeds, including well-known ones and rare types like the Rajapalayam from India and the Thai Ridgeback. The book also shows dogs that live in communities without owners—such as street dogs in Moscow, “rez dogs” on tribal lands in the U.S., and the surviving dogs of Chernobyl. Chin worked with behavior consultant Emily Strong to ensure the information was both accurate and easy to understand. Strong praised Chin’s art for being educational and visually appealing. By blending science with charming visuals, Chin has become a trusted voice in explaining animal behavior to the public.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What happened that made Chin start studying dog behavior?
- Who did Chin talk to so she could learn more about dog communication?
- What did Chin begin to create after learning about dogs?
- What are some ways animals show their feelings, according to the books?
- What are some examples of dogs without owners mentioned in the book?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever had a pet that behaved in a surprising way? If so, what did it do? If not, what kind of pet would you like to have?
- Have you ever read a book or watched a video about how animals communicate? If so, what did you learn? If not, would you like to? Why or why not?
- Do you agree that pictures and drawings can help people understand difficult ideas more easily?
- Why do you think it’s useful to learn about how animals show their feelings?
- How can books like Doggie Language help both pet owners and people without pets?