A: THE BENEFITS OF PETS
Lue teksti. Valitse oikea vaihtoehto kohdissa 1–8 ja suomenna tekstistä poimittu lause (kohta 9)

Do you have a dog? Or perhaps you’ve always wanted a cat, or some slightly more exotic pet, such as a ferret? Pets have been shown to benefit their owners and even other people in diverse and numerous ways. Studies show that pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without a pet. These animals make sure you’re never lonely and that you always have someone to talk to. They also make wonderful conversation starters, so you might make an acquaintance or two with their help!

For children, the benefits of pets are many. Pets give children support and comfort, no matter what their own mood is. Pets also help to create positive relationships, which in turn might help children to develop trusting relationships with other people. A good relationship with a pet can also help a child in developing non-verbal communication, compassion, and empathy.

It has also been proven that pets help children to learn. Having a non-judgemental companion when practicing reading has improved children’s confidence in their reading skills. There has been wide discussion about using animals in educational institutions, but this is still quite uncommon due to various issues that need to be addressed, for example everyone’s safety.

There are also physical health benefits related to pets – for example, it has been shown that people with pets have lower blood pressure in stressful situations compared to people with no pets, and that heart attack patients with pets survive longer than those without one. If you want to enjoy the benefits a pet brings, you are not limited to simply cats and dogs. The more unusual animals, such as snakes and lizards, do the job just as well. Even watching fish swim in an aquarium can help lower your heart rate and reduce muscle tension!

1 Do pet owners experience more depression than other people?
a) Yes, but it doesn’t bother them too much.
b) No, people without pets have more depression.
c) There is no difference between pet owners and people with no pets.

2 How can pets help you to meet new people?
a) They are a good topic for discussion.
b) You meet new people when you are out with pets.
c) People will like pictures of your pets on social media.

3 Why are pets good for children?
a) They help in doing household chores.
b) They teach children to form beneficial ties with people.
c) They develop a kid’s ability to wait for his or her turn.

4 Why is ‘non-verbal communication’ mentioned in the text?
a) Pets aid children in improving their non-verbal communication.
b) Children start to use less non-verbal communication when they have pets.
c) Non-verbal communication is the only way a child interacts with pets.

5 How do pets affect learning?
a) They disturb children when they are trying to study.
b) They keep other people away when a child is doing his or her (/ their) homework.
c) They promote a child’s self-esteem and encourage learning.

6 Are pets used in schools?
a) Yes, but only dogs, because other animals might be dangerous.
b) The matter has been contemplated, but this is still out of the ordinary.
c) A wide variety of pets are utilized in elementary schools.

7 What is said about heart attacks?
a) People without pets die sooner after a heart attack.
b) Pets cause heart attacks because they scare people.
c) Pets lower blood pressure, which causes fewer heart attacks.

8 Do all pets offer the same perks?
a) No, only cats and dogs are good choices.
b) Yes, you can choose whatever animal suits you the best.
c) Yes, except for reptiles.

9 Suomenna tekstistä poimittu lause.
Pets give children support and comfort, no matter what their own mood is.