English discussion questions: Animals

  • Which animals do you like? Why?

  • Are there any interesting wild animals in your country?

  • In your opinion, are zoos a good thing or a bad thing for animals? Why?

  • Do you think vets have a harder job than doctors? Why / Why not?

  • If you could learn one "animal ability" (e.g. flying, adaptive camouflage, hibernation), what would it be, and why?

English vocabulary:

Animals

Try using these words to express yourself naturally in English conversations about animals.

  • (Noun) Animals living in nature, not with humans.


    Example: Hokkaido is famous for its wildlife.

  • (Noun) The natural home of a plant or animal.


    Example: The forest is an important habitat for lots of animals.

  • (Noun) When animals are kept in a zoo or enclosure, not free in nature.


    Example: Some animals don’t like being kept in captivity.

  • (Noun) A doctor for animals. (vet = veterinarian)


    Example: Vets take care of sick and injured animals.

  • (Verb) To sleep through the winter to save energy.


    Example: Bears often hibernate in caves during the cold months.

English idioms: Animals

Try using these English idioms related to animals to make your spoken English more natural.

  • People who start early have an advantage.


    Example: Let’s get to the event early tomorrow. The early bird catches the worm!

  • The largest part of something.


    Example: Zoos spend the lion’s share of their budget on feeding big animals like elephants.

  • Eats a lot


    Example: My brother is always hungry. He eats like a horse.

  • Eats very little


    Example: My grandmother has tiny portions. She eats like a bird.

  • A clumsy person who breaks things by accident.


    Example: My baby is learning to walk and knocked everything off the table. He was like a bull in a china shop.