Everyday English (Vocabulary Building)

Topic: Animals & Insects

We will learn and practise vocabulary related to various types of wild and domesticated animals.

Lesson Notes May 19, 2026 (Vocabulary Building)

Words & Phrases

• I’m afraid that horses do not like the summer heat.

  • There is also a large fan on the ceiling.

  • Each type of horse has different feeds, such as oats, hay, pellets.

  • Do you need to check or inspect the horses every day? (= “You” is general)

    • Yes, we need to check them every day for various conditions. (= “We” is general)

•   The city office set up a humane trap to catch a raccoon that is in the area.

  • Once a civet cat, or hakubishin, made a nest in the attic of my mother’s house.

Animals & Insects

• Raccoons sounds commonly used in English are chittering (a rapid bird-like chatter), purring (when content), hissing, growling, snarling, and loud, high-pitched screaming.

• Cats use their paws to wash their faces.

• A "bug" is any small, crawling, or flying insect (like beetles, ants, or spiders).

• Doves and pigeons are basically the same bird. In common English, pigeons tend to be bigger, while doves are smaller and often white.

• Cows typically “moo”, sheep go “baa” and horses “neigh”