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 26, 2026 (Vocabulary Building)

Words & Phrases

• To enter the grotto, visitors must lie flat on the bottom of a small four-person rowboat.

• In various museums I (saw / looked at) a lot of famous and culturally important paintings. I also enjoyed watching all the different people move around the space. (See grammar below)

• The signal on the boat was weak, so I had a little trouble with the video call last week. (The opposite of “weak” is “strong”)

Grammar

"Look at" vs. "See" vs. "Watch"

• See: Used when something enters your field of vision (often unplanned).

  • “I saw a famous painting while walking through the hall.”

• Look at: Used when you focus your attention on something still. This is the most common verb for art.

  • “I spent ten minutes looking at the Mona Lisa.”

• Watch: Used when you focus your attention on something moving or changing over time.

  • “I watched the crowds of tourists take photos.”

Animals & Insects

8.2

• 10 Monkey ( ˈmʌŋki / MUNG-kee ) / Frog ( frɒɡ / FROG )

8.3

• 5 “… they are now endangered animals.”

8.4

• Shed

  • Noun = A small, simple building used for storing things or as a workshop

    • I spent the weekend cleaning out the shed so I could finally fit my bike inside.

  • Verb (for animals) = To lose hair, skin, or feathers naturally

    • Our cat is shedding so much hair right now that I have to vacuum every day.

  • Verb (for plants) = To let something fall off or drop away.

    • Most trees shed their leaves in the autumn.

Next Lesson

June 2, 2026

• Lesson 15 - Animals - page 5 8.5 #2