Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- containment / kənˈteɪn mənt / (n.) – the act of keeping something harmful or dangerous under control or within limits
Example:Health officials recommended containment measures to stop the spread of the virus.
- spawn / spɔn / (v.) – to cause something to happen; to make something
Example:The president’s order banning personal cellphone use during office hours spawned discussions and disagreements among government employees.
- madcap / ˈmædˌkæp / (adj.) – relating to something crazy, funny, and unlikely to succeed
Example:She always suggests madcap vacation ideas, such as camping on a remote island, but they can be surprisingly enjoyable.
- credential / krɪˈdɛn ʃəl / (n.) – a set of qualities, achievements, general background, or past actions that show someone or something is trustworthy and skilled
Example:The construction company’s strong safety credentials are the reason it is trusted with many construction projects.
- draconian / drəˈkoʊ ni ən / (adj.) – relating to laws, government actions, etc. that are strict, cruel, or go beyond what is appropriate or required
Example:The employees were unhappy with the company’s draconian work policies, which included significantly reducing their lunch breaks.
Article
Read the text below.
The Scottish government wants everyone to know it does not plan to ban cats.
First Minister John Swinney was forced to issue the statement after a report by independent experts branded felines a threat to Scotland’s wildlife and suggested “containment” measures be considered to reduce the damage.
The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission said cats kill at least 700 million birds and other animals each year in the U.K. It advised the government to consider a range of measures, including keeping domestic cats indoors or on leashes, to protect endangered species such as Scottish wildcats.
The report said “cat containment” measures could also include “restrictions on introducing cats to households in vulnerable areas”—interpreted by some as effectively a ban.
The Scottish government said it would “fully consider” the recommendations.
In a nation of animal lovers, the suggestions spawned alarming headlines. The Daily Mail reported: “Fury as households in Scotland could be banned from getting a pet cat.” The Scottish Daily Express branded the idea a “madcap scheme.”
Swinney, who heads Scotland’s semi-autonomous Edinburgh-based government, spoke to journalists to defend the administration’s pro-feline credentials.
“Let me just clear this up today,” he said. “The government’s not going to be banning cats or restricting cats. We’ve no intention of doing so and we will not be doing it.”
Cats Protection, the U.K.’s biggest cat charity, gave the idea of draconian containment measures short shrift, saying, “Pragmatic solutions like keeping cats indoors at dawn and dusk can balance the needs of domestic cats and wild animals.”
“Scotland is a nation of cat lovers,” said Alice Palombo, the charity’s advocacy and government relations officer for Scotland, with almost a quarter of households owning a feline pet.
“Cats are great pets for all sorts of reasons, whether it’s providing companionship for elderly people or those living alone, comfort for people with health conditions or helping children learn important lessons in caring for others,” she said. “We believe everyone who is able to care for a cat should be able to enjoy these benefits.”
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- Experts in Scotland have suggested “cat containment” measures to protect local wildlife. Do you think it’s fair that cats be put in containment to protect wildlife? Why or why not? Discuss.
- If you were a policymaker, would you support containment measures for cats? Why or why not? What factors would influence your decision the most—science, public opinion, or animal welfare groups? How would you address concerns from both wildlife conservationists and cat owners in your policy? Discuss.
Discussion B
- Alice Palombo said, “Scotland is a nation of cat lovers.” In your country, are cats generally seen as beloved pets, or do people have mixed opinions about them? Why do you say so? What are some cultural beliefs about cats in your country? How do these cultural beliefs and opinions about cats influence their treatment and care in your country? Discuss.
- Why do you think the idea of “cat containment” caused such an uproar in Scotland? How do cultural attitudes toward pets shape public reactions to regulations? Would the public reaction have been different if the policy targeted a less popular animal? Discuss.
