Animals & Environment
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6 Sept 2026
Photo credit: Getty
Cats vs Dogs: Who Do You Think Is Smarter?
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) Dogs have more brain cells than cats.
b) Cats can drive small red cars.
c) Dogs like to fly in space.
Ask:
(1) Do you have a pet cat or dog?
(2) Which animal do you think is clever?
VOCABULARY
brain (/breɪn/, noun)
Meaning: The part inside your head that helps you think and feel.
Example: You use your brain when you read a book.
clever (/ˈklev.ər/, adjective)
Meaning: Quick to learn and understand things.
Example: The clever dog can open the garden door.
count (/kaʊnt/, verb)
Meaning: To find the total number of things.
Example: Can you count the apples on the tree?
cell (/sel/, noun)
Meaning: A tiny part of a living body.
Example: Our bodies have millions of tiny cells.
test (/test/, verb)
Meaning: To check how good or smart someone is.
Example: Scientists test how fast dogs can run.
friend (/frend/, noun)
Meaning: A person or animal you like and trust.
Example: My dog is my best friend.
Many people love pets. Some people like cats. Other people like dogs. People often ask one big question. Which pet is smarter? Scientists want to know the answer too.
Scientists look at the animal brain. They count tiny brain cells. These cells help animals think. Cats have 250 million brain cells. Dogs have 530 million brain cells. Dogs have more cells than cats. This helps dogs learn many trick games.
Does this mean dogs are always clever? Not really. Cats are clever in different ways. Cats are great hunters. They catch small mice easily. Dogs are good at helping people. They listen to instructions carefully.
Both animals are special. Cats and dogs use their brains for their own lives. They are both smart friends for us.
Listen
Some treats are easier to access than others, however intelligent your pet might be - Photo credit: Getty
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Do you prefer cats or dogs?
2. What tricks can dogs do?
3. What can cats do very well?
4. Why do scientists count brain cells?
5. How do pets help people every day?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: brain, cell, clever, count
Many people love pets. Some people like cats. Other people like dogs. People often ask one big question. Which pet is smarter? Scientists want to know the answer too.
Scientists look at the animal _______(1). They _______(2) tiny brain _______(3)s. These cells help animals think. Cats have 250 million brain cells. Dogs have 530 million brain cells. Dogs have more cells than cats. This helps dogs learn many trick games.
Does this mean dogs are always _______(4)? Not really. Cats are clever in different ways. Cats are great hunters. They catch small mice easily. Dogs are good at helping people. They listen to instructions carefully.
Both animals are special. Cats and dogs use their brains for their own lives. They are both smart friends for us.
Section 2: Main Idea
What is the main idea of the story?
a) Dogs eat more food than cats.
b) Scientists look at how cats and dogs use their brains.
c) Cats like to swim in cold water.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
1. Cats have 530 million brain cells. T/F
2. Dogs have more brain cells than cats. T/F
3. Cats are great at catching small mice. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put these sentences in order (1-3):
( ) Scientists count brain cells in animals.
( ) People ask which pet is smarter.
( ) We learn that both pets are special friends.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. Brain
2. Clever
3. Count
4. Cell
5. Friend
a) A tiny part of a body
b) The part in your head used for thinking
c) A person or animal you like
d) Smart and quick to learn
e) To find the number of things
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
1. A dog uses its _______ to learn tricks.
a) shoes
b) brain
c) hat
2. My cat is a good _______ because it plays nicely.
a) friend
b) car
c) pen
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
1. Unscramble: A) dogs B) have C) brain D) many E) cells
2. Unscramble: A) cats B) are C) clever D) hunting E) at
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up Answer: a) Dogs have more brain cells than cats.
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
1. brain
2. count
3. cell
4. clever
Section 2: Main Idea
b
Section 3: True or False
1. F
2. T
3. T
Section 4: Put Events in Order
2, 1, 3
Section 5: Vocab Match
1 - b
2 - d
3 - e
4 - a
5 - c
Section 6: Discussion Builder
1. b
2. a
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
1. A-B-D-C-E (Dogs have many brain cells)
2. A-B-C-E-D (Cats are clever at hunting)
Section 8: Discussion Questions
Student's own answers.
Thank you for your feedback!