Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- millennial / mɪlˈlɛn i əl / (n) – a person born between the 1980s and early 2000s
Example:Millennials are known to be a techy generation.
- equity / ˈɛk wɪ ti / (n) – a house’s value minus the amount of money used to pay for it
Example:You can build greater equity by buying several houses.
- inhumane / ˌɪn hyuˈmeɪn / (adj) – unkind
Example:Dog lovers find it inhumane to keep a dog in a cage.
- coop up / kup ʌp / (phrasal) – to keep in a place for a long time
Example:The dog was very happy to run in the park after being cooped up inside the house for a week.
- amenity / əˈmɛn ɪ ti / (n) – a facility or feature of a place that makes it convenient and comfortable
Example:Some places do not have basic amenities like running water or electricity.
Article
Read the text below.
US millennials are putting yard space for dogs as one of their top priorities for buying a home.
A survey reported that 33% of US millennials purchased a home to have better space or a yard for their dogs. It ranked as the third highest priority among millennial home buyers, with greater living space taking the top spot and equity building taking second. Marriage and birth of a child followed in fourth and fifth place, respectively.
The survey also found that 42% of millennials who have never bought a house said that they would consider getting a home because they have a dog or would like to get one.
For instance, a millennial couple traded their apartment for a house so that they could get a dog. They said that it would be inhumane to coop up a dog in an apartment all day without any space to run. As planned, the couple rescued a German Shepherd mix a month after getting their new home.
According to a marketing director of an American real estate development company, millennial clients are becoming more attracted to dog-related amenities. In fact, because of the demand, the company has already completed three dog parks so owners can live actively alongside their dogs.
In addition to dog parks, other facilities meant for dogs are also becoming in demand among pet lovers. Some owners even request special washing stations in their homes for their dogs. Meanwhile, others even spend thousands of dollars to give their dogs a separate and comfortable home. For instance, Hollywood star Paris Hilton had a 300-square-foot dog house made, which cost $325,000.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
• Among the reasons listed (i.e., greater living space, building equity, better space for dogs, marriage, birth of child), which would be the top priority among millennials in your country for buying a home? Why?
• If you had a huge yard space in your home, what would you use it for? Discuss.
Discussion B
• If you had a pet, how would you make its life as comfortable as possible? Discuss.
• Is it acceptable to spend a lot of money on pets? Why or why not?