Question 1
He stroked his cat's silky fur and the cat _____ contentedly.
When a cat is happy, it makes a soft, low sound: it purrs. Dogs growl when they are angry, and lions roar.
Question 2
This _____ of dog is very useful for hunting.
A breed is a type of dog, cat or other animal, e.g. A poodle is a breed of dog. Clan and tribe are used for groups of people.
Question 3
A cat _____ its paw before it washes its face.
To lick means to move your tongue over something. A cat licks its paw and then uses it to clean its face. Not laps: a cat laps milk, which means it drinks it with its tongue.
Question 4
It's dangerous to go near that building site as it is _____ by a fierce dog.
A place is guarded by a dog or a person who watches it and keeps people away. Not defended: we usually defend something against an attack, for example a country.
Question 5
Don't take any _____ of that dog. It is only playing.
Take no notice of / don't take any notice of means "ignore" or "don't pay attention to". The dog is only playing, so you don't need to worry about it.
Question 6
My dog always _____ when it sees the postman.
The loud, short sound a dog makes is called barking: The dog barks at strangers. Cats purr.
Question 7
The noise was caused by a dog _____ a cat through the garden.
To chase means to run after someone or something to catch it. Not running: you run after a cat, not "run a cat".
Question 8
If your cat often has to stay indoors, then a _____ tray must be provided.
A litter tray is a box filled with special material that an indoor cat uses as a toilet. The other words are not used in this fixed phrase.
Question 9
You should take notice of warnings which state that guard dogs are on _____.
On patrol means moving around an area to guard it. Warning signs often say Guard dogs on patrol. Not alert: on alert or on the alert means ready for danger, but the fixed phrase used in these warnings is on patrol.
Question 10
The dog felt very _____ when his owners left the house, dressed for a walk.
Disappointed means sad because something you hoped for did not happen. The dog hoped to go for a walk too, but it was left at home. Deceptive describes something that gives a false idea, not a feeling.
Question 11
In big cities animals should be kept under _____.
Keep something under control means to stop it from causing problems. Keep your dog under control is a common phrase. Not check: we say keep something in check, not "under check".
Question 12
The poor cat was _____ at the top of the tree.
Stuck means unable to move or get away from a place. The cat climbed up the tree and could not get down. Climbed is a verb in the wrong form here: "was climbed" makes no sense.
Question 13
Don't touch the cat, he may _____ you.
A cat can scratch you with its sharp claws. Not kick: cats don't usually hurt people by kicking.
Question 14
Dogs have a habit of _____ bones in the garden.
To bury something means to put it in a hole in the ground and cover it. Not digging: dogs dig a hole or dig up bones, but they "bury" bones to hide them.
Question 15
Both kindness and firmness are needed to _____ domestic animals successfully.
To train an animal means to teach it to behave in a certain way or to obey. We educate or tutor people, not animals.
Question 16
It is difficult to _____ a dog if you live in a flat.
We keep a pet when we have it at home and look after it: It is hard to keep a dog in a flat. Not grow: we grow plants, not animals.
Question 17
A dog can be a very pleasant _____ on long country walks.
A companion is someone, or an animal, that goes somewhere or spends time with you. Not company: in this meaning it is uncountable, so we can't say "a pleasant company".
Question 18
They put the bird in a cage to _____ it flying away.
Stop something (from) doing something means prevent it: The cage stops the bird flying away. Not avoid: you avoid something yourself; you don't "avoid it flying".
Question 19
A cat purrs when it is pleased, but a dog _____ its tail.
A happy dog wags its tail, which means it moves it quickly from side to side. Not waves: we wave a hand or a flag.
Question 20
I was badly scratched by my cat's _____.
Cats have sharp, curved claws on their feet. Not nails: people have nails; for cats and many other animals we say claws.
Question 21
When my wife comes home, our dog always jumps up and _____ her face.
A dog shows love by licking your face with its tongue. Not kisses: people kiss; dogs lick.
Question 22
When the cat is angry, its _____ stands up on end.
Fur is the soft, thick hair on a cat or dog. When a cat is angry or scared, its fur stands on end. Birds have feathers, and hide is the thick skin of an animal like a cow.
Question 23
His dog has done everything he told it to do; it is a most _____ animal.
Obedient means doing what you are told. The clue is "done everything he told it to do". Orderly means tidy or well organised, not obeying orders.
Question 24
Dogs in city streets should be kept on a _____.
In British English, a lead is the strap you attach to a dog's collar to control it. In American English it is a leash. Rope and string are not the usual words.
Print this test
Free worksheets for class or home