Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- resistance / rɪˈzɪs təns / (n) – the ability to fight against something
Example:Those who take vitamins regularly usually show a strong resistance to illnesses.
- take (something) at face value / teɪk æt feɪs ˈvæl yu / (idiom) – to accept an idea without confirming
Example:As students, we are always told to be critical and not take everything at face value.
- loophole / ˈlupˌhoʊl / (n) – an uncertainty or vagueness
Example:The plot had a lot of loopholes; the ending did not make sense.
- inclined / ɪnˈklaɪnd / (adj) – having a tendency toward something
Example:Those who live alone were found to be more inclined to buy pets because they seek company.
- infer / ɪnˈfɜr / (v) – to conclude based on evidence
Example:I found it difficult to infer because the data was very limited.
Article
Read the text below.
Owning a dog helps reduce risk of death resulting from cardiovascular disease, according to a new Swedish study.
A 12-year study conducted by Uppsala University examined the hospital records of 3.4 million Swedes aged 40 to 80 to determine if dog ownership is correlated to diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. Results revealed that dog owners had a 23% lower risk of death from heart failure, heart attack, or stroke as opposed to non-dog owners.
Dog ownership was also found to boost physical activity and the immune system. Those who own hunting breeds like terriers and retrievers had the highest resistance to heart diseases. Regular contact with dogs also entails transmission of the bacteria they naturally carry; exposure to a variety of bacteria and viruses can help boost people’s immune systems.
However, experts cautioned that not all findings should be taken at face value. Dr. Rachel Bond of the Women’s Heart Health at the Lenox Hill Hospital pointed out some loopholes in the study. She said that hunting breed owners might be inclined to do more physical activity as these dogs are more active than smaller ones. Because the study also excluded individuals with existing heart conditions, Bond said that it might only mean that people with good heart health in the first place are just more likely to be dog owners.
Aside from dog ownership, cat ownership and its health implications were explored by another study. The researchers claimed that owning a cat manages stress and anxiety, which are associated with heart diseases, by reducing blood pressure and heart rate. Lead researcher Adnan Qureshi inferred that stroking a pet cat can lower stress-related hormones in the blood.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
• What benefits of dog ownership do you like best? Are these reasons sufficient for you to want a dog?
• What do you think are some reasons why people in your country decide to get a pet dog? Discuss.
Discussion B
• Would you rather have a cat or a dog? Why?
• Aside from dogs and cats, what other animals have health benefits to their owners? Explain.