English Language Listening Library Online
Mixer #138 | Intermediate B1

Would you like to have an exotic pet?

The Mixer crew discusses if they would like to have some kind of exotic pet.

Mak / Croatia
speakerNo, I would like to have, you know, pets, like dogs ... well, yeah, dogs. No, not cats. Dogs, because they're just I think friendlier, and I'm used to them since I have two dogs, and they call them German Schnauzers.

Sarah / England
speakerI don't know if you count it as exotic, but I've always wanted a chameleon. I love the way that they walk. They're quite a funny pet and they seem to have a of character as an animal, so I would love to have a chameleon.

Paul / England
speakerIf I was to have an exotic pet, I would choose a nightingale, so in the evenings, this bird would sing its tune. I think it would be very nice to have such a bird, but I would be very reluctant to keep the bird in a cage, so perhaps I would just allow it to come and go as it pleased.

Kat / Germany
speakerI don't think I'd like to have an exotic pet. When I think about exotic pets, I think of spiders and snakes and iguanas, and I don't really like any of those. They scare me, so I don't think I want an exotic pet.

Warren / Canada
speakerI don't think I would like to have an exotic pet. I love animals and I'm definitely fascinated in animals from around the world, but I don't think it would be fair for me to have one as a pet. For one, I don't know how to take care of it properly. And I think they should be in the wild, and if it's exotic, that means this is not the natural environment for them.

Adria / United States
speakerThat's kind of a difficult question also because I feel like maybe it's not proper to have a pet that you've pulled from the wild. But I really do like birds, and I would probably have a bird. I don't know if you consider a parakeet an exotic pet, but I have had two parakeets when I was a child.

Learn Vocabulary from the Lesson!

reluctant

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would be very reluctant to keep the bird in a cage.

If you are reluctant to do something, that means you do not want to do it, even though you likely will. Notice the following:

  1. Teachers are reluctant to give students power in the classroom.
  2. He was reluctant to tell her that he loved her.

come and go as it pleased

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I would just allow it to come and go as it pleased.

If you come and go and you please, that means you come and go without permission. Notice the following:

  1. While I am away, please come and go as you please.
  2. As a child, all my friends would come and go to my house as they pleased.

fascinated

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I'm definitely fascinated in animals from around the world.

If you are fascinated by something, you are very interested in it. Notice the following:

  1. She is fascinated by the ocean.
  2. The audience was fascinated by the man's story of heroism.

properly

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For one, I don't know how to take care of it properly.

When something is done properly, it is done correctly or according to standards. Notice the following:

  1. I am not sure how to tie a necktie properly.
  2. You need to properly insert the key before opening the door.

pull from

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It's not proper to have a pet that you've pulled from the wild.

Here, 'pull from' means 'remove'. Notice the following:

  1. What book did you pull from the shelf?
  2. This TV clip was pulled from my favorite show. You should watch it.

 

Vocabulary Quiz

reluctant • come and go • fascinated
properly • pulled from
  1. The book was the library because it was obscene.
  2. She is to sell her car. She just loves it.
  3. Please fasten the door or the dog will get out.
  4. Feel free to as you please.
  5. He is with ancient history.
Answer the following questions about the interview.

One Minute English Video

Speakers
Mixer Video 138
Have you ever raised an animal?

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