Английский язык: Экспресс-репетитор для подготовки к ЕГЭ, «Говорение».
Урок 5: «Окружающая среда. Диалоги. Задание 1».

Task 1

Your classmate Ann is having a birthday party next Saturday and she has always wanted to have a pet. You and your friend are discussing what pet you could give her as a birthday present. Discuss the following options and choose the one you both like most of all:
• a puppy    • a goldfish
• a kitten     • a parrot

’Do you remember that Ann is having a birthday party? She has always wanted to have a pet. I think it’s a good idea to give her a pet as a birthday present, isn’t it?’

’Of course it is. But what pet shall we buy? Any ideas?’

’I think we could buy a puppy. Dogs are good friends and they are very clever. She’ll never feel lonely with her new friend. And if we buy a sheepdog, it will always guard her.’

’I don’t think it’s a good idea. First of all, Ann’s flat is too small for a big dog. Besides, she’ll have to take her for a walk in the morning and in the evening. Ann lives far from school so she’ll have to get up very early not to be late for classes. What’s more, we don’t know what kind of dogs she likes. What if she doesn’t like our present?’

’Well, I can agree with you. Then we’d better give her a kitten. Small kittens are really lovely and funny and they are very amusing to play with. She’ll never feel bored! In addition, she won’t have to take it for a walk. What do you think of it?’

’But she’ll have to clean the litter tray after her kitten several times a day! And there is usually an awful smell in the flat!’

’Not at all! Nowadays there are lots of different cat-box filler products, which are easy to change and there’s usually absolutely no smell. Besides, there is also lots of special food for kittens, for example, Whiskas so it will be really easy for her to take care of her pet.’

’You are right but cats can be very wicked. They are believed to be witches in disguise. Besides, her mother is allergic to animals’ hair so we can buy neither a puppy nor a kitten. "What can we buy then?"’

’Why don’t we give her a goldfish in a special aquarium? It’s easy to take care of it, there is lots of special fish food and the aquarium in the room looks very beautiful. She could buy some more different fishes and she’ll have a piece of underwater world in her room.’

’As for me, I don’t like fish. I’d rather not call them pets. In my opinion, it’s very boring to have a goldfish as a pet: you can’t play or talk with your pet. Besides, she’ll have to change water in the aquarium and it’s very difficult. If she does it in a wrong way, her fish may die and she’ll be very upset. What about a parrot? They are very beautiful and fascinating to watch. Besides, she could teach her pet to speak and it will be very funny.’

’Really? Great idea! We could also buy a beautiful cage for her pet so that she could put it on her table. And I know that there is a lot of special food for birds so it won’t be difficult for her to take care of it.’

’What is more, she won’t have to take it for a walk and there is usually no smell from parrots.’

‘I completely agree with you. Let’s give her a parrot as a birthday present. I’m sure she’ll like it.’