ESL Pets Conversation

Many people love animals and want to have ESL pets conversations, as this is something that they can talk to someone about when they have first met them. The example conversations on this page will show how people would talk naturally with each other about their pets.

For each conversation you can read the script and then watch a cartoon of the conversation. If you need any help with the vocabulary used you can look at the ESL pets vocabulary page.

There are also three exercises on this page that will give you the chance to practice ESL pets conversations. They are as follows:

• Fill in the blanks in a conversation.
• Write your own conversation.
• Use conversation topics to speak with someone else.

Conversation 1

Situation: Tui meets Andrew walking his dog in the park.

Tui: Hi Andrew. How are you?
Andrew: Hi. I’m fine.
Tui: Is this your dog?
Andrew: Yes. His name is Buster.
Tui: He looks very big.
Andrew: Yes he’s big but very friendly. Do you want to stroke him?
Tui: Yes as long as he won’t bite me.
Andrew: No he won’t. He likes meeting new people.
Tui: He is lovely and his fur is so soft.
Andrew: Do you have any pets?
Tui: No. My mother has a cat. Your dog is well trained.
Andrew: A bit. If I did not have him on a lead he would chase the ducks.
Tui: How long have you had him?
Andrew: I have had him since he was a puppy and he is four years old now.
Tui: Does he eat a lot?
Andrew: Yes, all the time. I need to go to the pet shop now to buy him more food. Would you like to come? They have lots of animals to see.
Tui: Yes that would be interesting. Let’s go.

Conversation 2 

Situation: Andrew and Tui visit the pet shop.

Andrew: Here is the pet shop. Let’s go and have a look inside.
Tui: What will you do with Buster? Can he come in?
Andrew: He has to stay outside. I can tie him up here. The shop leaves out water for dogs to drink.
Tui: Wow, look at all the animals.
Andrew: Yes there are a lot of different types. I like to see them all when I come.
Tui: I don’t even know the names of some of them.
Andrew: The shop has reptiles such as snakes, lizards and geckos over there.
Tui: I can hear a lot of birds somewhere.
Andrew: Yes they have canaries and other birds, even a parrot.
Tui: They are all good but I like soft and fluffy animals the best.
Andrew: They also have lots of mice, hamsters and other small animals over there, as well as some rabbits.
Tui: The rabbits are so cute.
Andrew: I need to buy some food for Buster and then go home.
Tui: Ok.
Andrew: You can stay and look more if you want to.
Tui: Yes I will do that. Bye.
Andrew: Bye.

ESL Pets Conversation Exercises

The following three exercises will give you a chance to practice using the pets vocabulary.

Exercise 1 - Fill in the Blanks

Look at the following ESL pets conversation and choose the correct option (A-D) to fill the blanks in the five questions in this exercise.

Situation: Jane visits a pet shop to get a new pet.

Shop owner: Good morning, how can I help you? 
Jane: Hi, _________(1)_________. 
Shop owner: What sort would you like?
Jane: I’m not sure. I live in a flat and do not have much space.
Shop owner: Ok. __________(2)__________. Would you like to have a cat or kitten?
Jane: I would but can’t __________(3)___________.
Shop owner: Would you like a snake or spider? Some people love pets like that.
Jane: No. Nothing like that.
Shop owner: Ok. What about a small animal ___________(4)___________?
Jane: I’m not sure. Can you suggest anything else?
Shop owner: The only other things I have are some goldfish. Would you like those?
Jane: Yes. __________(5)___________. I’ll take them. Thank you very much.
Shop owner: You’re welcome.

ESL Pets Conversation

Choose the best option (A-D) in the following five questions to fill in the blanks in the Pets conversation given above.

1) Which option is the best to fill in the first blank?

    A) I would like to sell my pet
    B) I would like to get a new pet
    C) I would like to borrow a pet
    D) I would like a job

2) Which option is the best to fill in the second blank?

    A) A flat with no garden is not good for a dog
    B) A house with a garden is just right for a dog
    C) A dog does not need much space so a flat is perfect
    D) You should get two dogs if you have a flat

3) Which option is the best to fill in the third blank?

    A) as I already have a dog
    B) as I do not like cats
    C) as my boyfriend is allergic to cats
    D) as do not have time to take it for walks

4) Which option is the best to fill in the fourth blank?

    A) like a horse or donkey
    B) like a pig
    C) like a dog or cat
    D) like a mouse, rat or gerbil

5) Which option is the best to fill in the fifth blank?

    A) No I don’t like fish
    B) A couple of fish would be perfect
    C) I already have some fish
    D) No I want something I can take for walks

Score =

Correct answers:

Exercise 2 – Write a Conversation

In this exercise you should write a conversation that takes place between two or more people when they talk about pets. You should set the scene and explain where it happens, and then write the words that each person would use in the ESL pets conversation.

Exercise 3 – Conversation Topics

For this exercise you should have a conversation with someone else about pets. There are two groups of five question, each person takes one set of questions and ask their partner to answer them. Try to speak in full sentences and to say as much as possible. The more you speak, the better you will get. Once you have finished you can swap the sets of questions and start again.

The questions have also been made into some conversation cards for you to download by clicking the picture.

Do you want to practice speaking more? Then download my ‘80 ESL Conversation Cards’ ebook that has many more conversation questions.

Question set A

• What is your favourite type of pet?
• Do you have any pets?
• Why do some people like pets and others do not like them?
• Do you know anyone who does not have a pet?
• What is the strangest pet you have ever seen?

Question set B

• What was your first pet?
• What type of animal makes the best pet?
• What do you think about people who have lots and lots of pets?
• If you could have any type of pet what would it be and why?
• Is it good or bad for people who live in big cities to have pets?

ESL 4u home › Conversation › Pets