Animals & Environment
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15 Sept 2026
Fascinating Cat Facts Backed by Science
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) Cats can jump very high.
b) Cats talk with short words.
c) Cats swim across big oceans.
Ask:
(1) Do you have a pet cat at home?
(2) Why do you think cats make a purr sound?
VOCABULARY
whisker (/ˈwɪs.kə/, noun)
Meaning: A long thick hair growing near the mouth of a cat.
Example: The black cat touched the wall with its soft whisker.
purr (/pɜː/, verb)
Meaning: To make a low continuous sound when happy.
Example: Cats purr when you stroke their soft fur.
nap (/næp/, noun)
Meaning: A short sleep during the day.
Example: The little kitten takes a long nap in the sun.
pounce (/paʊns/, verb)
Meaning: To jump quickly to catch something.
Example: Playful cats pounce on small red balls.
clever (/ˈklev.ə/, adjective)
Meaning: Quick to learn and understand things.
Example: My clever cat can open the kitchen door.
silent (/ˈsaɪ.lənt/, adjective)
Meaning: Making no sound at all.
Example: The cat is silent when walking on the rug.
Cats are fantastic pets. Scientists study cats to learn about their cool bodies. Many cats spend sixteen hours sleeping every day. They love taking a quick nap in sunny spots. Cats have special eyes for the dark. They see very well at night. A long whisker on their face helps them feel space.
Cats walk in a silent way. Their soft paws do not make loud noises. This helps them move near small toys. When cats are happy, they purr softly. People like this calm sound. Young kittens pounce on wool toys to play. It shows that cats are very clever animals.
Cats slow blink back at their owners © Getty Images
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(1) Do you think cats are good pets?
(2) Why do cats sleep for many hours?
(3) How do whiskers help a little cat?
(4) What games do happy kittens play?
(5) Do you prefer quiet cats or noisy dogs?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: nap, pounce, purr, whisker
Cats are fantastic pets. Scientists study cats to learn about their cool bodies. Many cats spend sixteen hours sleeping every day. They love taking a quick _______(1) in sunny spots. Cats have special eyes for the dark. They see very well at night. A long _______(2) on their face helps them feel space. Cats walk in a silent way. Their soft paws do not make loud noises. This helps them move near small toys. When cats are happy, they _______(3) softly. People like this calm sound. Young kittens _______(4) on wool toys to play. It shows that cats are very clever animals.
Section 2: Main Idea
What is the main idea of this article?
a) Cats spend all day swimming in deep water.
b) Science shows that cats have interesting bodies and habits.
c) Cats only eat food in the dark night.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
(1) Cats sleep for sixteen hours every day. T/F
(2) Cats cannot see very well at night. T/F
(3) Kittens pounce on toys when they play. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put these events in order from 1 to 3:
( ) A cat feels happy and purrs softly.
( ) A cat takes a short nap in the sun.
( ) A kitten pounces on a wool toy.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
(1) whisker
(2) purr
(3) nap
(4) pounce
(5) silent
a) making no noise
b) a short sleep
c) long hair on a face
d) jump quickly to catch
e) make a low happy sound
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
(1) My cat likes to _______ in the warm sunshine.
a) nap
b) cry
c) swim
(2) The kitten will _______ on the paper ball.
a) pounce
b) sleep
c) read
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
(1) Unscramble: A / soft / makes / purr / cat / happy / .
(2) Unscramble: Whiskers / space / cats / feel / help / .
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up Answer: a
Section 1: (1) nap, (2) whisker, (3) purr, (4) pounce
Section 2: b
Section 3: (1) T, (2) F, (3) T
Section 4: 2, 1, 3
Section 5: (1)-c, (2)-e, (3)-b, (4)-d, (5)-a
Section 6: (1) a, (2) a
Section 7: (1) A happy cat makes a soft purr. (A-B-C-D-E), (2) Whiskers help cats feel space. (A-B-C-D-E)
Section 8: Student's own responses.
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