WASHING THE DOG

BACKGROUND
I've heard about people washing their pets in the bath.

I've even heard stories about people trying to wash their pets in washing machines.

However, until today, I'd never heard of anyone trying to wash their pet in the toilet...

DISCUSS
1. Do you know any funny stories about children and animals?

LISTENING COMPREHENSION
1. Why did the little boy put the dog in the toilet?
2. How was the dog rescued?
3. Why is the puppy named "dyno"
4. At the end, why does the reporter compare the puppy to a cat?

WATCH THE VIDEO

LANGUAGE
newborn = a child or animal that has just been born
cage = a kind of wire box in which animals can be kept
flush = you do this to the toilet to make the water go down
drains = pipes that carry waste water away
ending up = arriving somewhere you didn't plan to be
"cue" = something you say when sth is about to happen
plumber = a person whose job is to repair water pipes, toilets, etc
manhole = a covered hole in the road used to access underground pipes, cables, etc
monitor (n) = a kind of display (like a TV or computer screen)
fire crews = teams of firefighters
sewage pipe = a pipe that carries away waste water (like a drain)
astonishing, incredible = extremely surprising; amazing
mild = not too serious
hypothermia = a dangerous physical condition caused by extreme cold
scratch = a mark, like a line, made by a sharp object
not a scratch on him = not hurt at all
good intentions = meaning to do good things

What the plumber says...

"My boss phoned me up telling me there's a dog stuck down a drain ... it's been flushed down the toilet by a toddler. I didn't believe him at first; I thought he was winding me up"

"He was a bit distressed, obviously. No-one would like to get prodded with a camera"

toddler = a very young child
winding sb up = playing a joke on sb
distressed = very upset
prodded = quickly pushed (with something like a finger or pointed object)

RSPCA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) - a well-known charity in the UK that protects animals from cruel treatment. There is a similar organization in the USA called the ASPCA

Characters in the story:

Daniel = the little boy
Will = the plumber
Dyno = the puppy

FEAR OF FLYING

BACKGROUND
On Monday there was another plane crash. An Air France plane flying from Brazil to France went down somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. 228 people lost their lives.

No wonder many people are afraid of flying.

Personally, I'm not really afraid of flying. In fact, I still quite enjoy flying, even though I have now flown many, many times.

However, there are some people who are terrified of flying. So, what can they do to overcome their fear?

Watch the video below to find out.

terrified = very, very scared

DISCUSS
1. Are you scared of flying? If yes, why?
2. Have you ever had a scary experience when flying?

QUESTIONS
1. What advice does the man in the story give to people who are afraid of flying?
2. What advice does the woman give?
3. How did Tim Lloyd used to feel about flying? How does he feel about flying now?

WATCH THE VIDEO


LANGUAGE
tackle = deal with; cope with
at some point = at some time
sweating = an uncomfortable wet feeling when you are hot or scared
palpitations = your heart beating fast and irregularly
nausea = feeling sick and wanting to throw up
aerophobia = fear of flying
commercial pressure = pressure from work
commit to = promise to definitely do sth
stricter = increasingly demanding that people follow rules
attitude = opinions and feelings about sth
session = period of time used for an activity
bumps = feeling of hitting against things
turbulence = strong and sudden movements of air
perspective = a way of looking or thinking about sth
fearful of = scared of
G-forces = pressures our bodies feel when moving very fast
perception = the way you think about sth
react = respond
coping in the air = feeling OK while you are flying
anxiety = a feeling of extreme tension and nervousness
kicks in = begins to happen
build up = the time leading up to some event
boarding = getting on the plane
replaying = remembering; going over sth (in your head)
psychologist = a person who studies the mind
in accordance with = based on; following some rules
the long-term = learning to do sth over a period of time
"7-11 technique"= a special breathing method
to the count of = counting (1... 2... 3... etc)
do one's utmost = do the best you can
an ordeal = a terrible or painful experience
panic / panicky / panic attack = sudden strong feelings of fear
uncertainty = not sure; doubtful
sensation of = feeling about sth
by-products = unplanned, additional things
an accumulation of = an increasing, growing or building-up
stress = extreme worry (lasting for a period of time)
a combination of = a mix of
claustrophobia = fear of small spaces
agoraphobia = fear of crowds and open spaces
pilot's license = an document that allows you to legally fly planes
magnificent = wonderful, great, amazing
completely the other way = totally the opposite

Also:
"Aviatours" = an organization to help people cure their fear of flying