Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- bodega / boʊˈdeɪ gə / (n.) – a small store that sells food and other items, especially in Spanish-speaking communities
Example:She bought her late-night snacks and drinks from the local bodega because it’s quick and convenient.
- precarious / prɪˈkɛər i əs / (adj.) – in a dangerous condition that could easily become worse
Example:The workers were in a precarious situation after the factory announced it might close.
- advocate / ˈæd vəˌkeɪt / (v.) – to publicly support, recommend, or promote an effort, policy, etc.
Example:The organization has always advocated for more support for small businesses.
- corrective / kəˈrɛk tɪv / (adj.) – relating to something that is intended to improve or make something right
Example:The manager suggested a corrective plan to solve the project’s issue.
- rapport / ræˈpɔr / (n.) – a friendly or positive relationship or connection with someone
Example:He builds rapport easily when meeting new people because he has a good sense of humor.
Article
Read the text below.
New York City’s “bodega cats” are beloved fixtures in the Big Apple—but they’re on the wrong side of the law. The convenience store cats that live at many of the city’s bodegas and delis look innocent enough, spending their days lounging in sun-soaked storefronts or slinking between shelves of snack foods as they collect friendly pets from customers.
Officially, though, state law bars most animals from stores that sell food, with bodega owners potentially facing fines if their tabby is caught curling up near the tins of tuna and toilet paper.
The pets’ precarious legal position recently came into the spotlight again when a petition circulated online that advocated for the city to shield bodega cat owners from fines, racking up more than 10,000 signatures.
But inspecting bodegas is a state responsibility. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets said in a statement that its goal is to ensure compliance with food safety laws and regulations, though it noted that inspectors aim to offer “educational resources and corrective action timelines and options” before looking at fines.
Many fans argue that the cats actually help keep the stores clean by deterring other ubiquitous New York City creatures, like rodents and cockroaches.
However, some shopkeepers say the felines’ most important job is bringing in customers.
At one bodega in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, a fluffy gray and white cat named Mimi has become even more of a star attraction after a customer posted a video of her to TikTok that was viewed over 9 million times.
Sydney Miller, the customer who shared the video, said the experience has helped her build a lasting rapport with Mimi’s caretaker, Asam Mohammad, a Yemeni immigrant who has only been in the U.S. for a few years. “Ultimately, the cats are a symbol of community building and the special, unique type of connection that happens in a city like New York,” said Miller, a poet and digital content producer.
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- Some shop owners in New York are told to remove their cats because of food safety laws, but many customers love the cats and want them to stay. In your country, would it be okay for a shop to have a cat or dog inside where food is sold? Why or why not? Would it bother you if you were in a shop and saw a cat or another animal near the food items? Why or why not? Discuss.
- If you were a shop owner, would you follow the law or keep the cat? Why? How should businesses and the government handle a situation where many people support something that breaks the law? Discuss.
Discussion B
- A video of a cat in a bodega was shared online and watched by millions of people. This helped the bodega become more popular. Do you think social media has the same effect on small businesses in your country? Why or why not? Would you ever visit a place because of a popular post or video you discovered online? Discuss.
- What are the advantages and disadvantages for small businesses that become popular because of social media? Discuss.
