A TikTok video with guinea pigs living in a fancy shed has become super popular, getting over 140 million views. The shed is called “the Ritz” and has more than 140 guinea pigs living in it. It has air conditioning and room service. The videos, made by Sophie and Mark Mason, who are known as Masons’ Cavies, show the guinea pigs eating big plates of veggies and chilling in special beds. Each guinea pig has its own name and personality.

Lots of people are really interested in animals living in comfy and fancy places, and that’s why these videos are so popular on TikTok. The guinea pigs’ fancy home has caught the attention and love of people on TikTok. The Masons’ Cavies have done a great job of showing off their cute and spoiled guinea pigs on the internet.

The Masons’ Cavies have become really famous on TikTok, with millions of people watching their videos of the guinea pigs’ fancy life. These videos show how powerful social media is for spreading happiness and fun. People from all over the world are obsessed with these cute animals and their fancy homes.

The Masons’ Cavies have found a special place on TikTok where people who love animals can watch cute and well-taken-care-of pets. These videos let people escape for a little while and enjoy the world of these spoiled guinea pigs. The success of the Masons’ Cavies on TikTok reminds us that social media has all kinds of cool stuff to watch and that we can find joy in unexpected places.

In the end, the guinea pig videos on TikTok going viral show how much people like animals living in fancy places. The Masons’ Cavies have made a fun and unique online presence, and they’ve won over millions of people with their cute and well-taken-care-of guinea pigs. These videos remind us that even our furry friends can find happiness in the simple things in life.

Original news source: Guinea pigs in luxury shed become TikTok hit (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Assign each group to summarize the article in their own words. They should focus on the main points and key details. After a few minutes, have each group share their summaries with the rest of the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Ask the students to form pairs or small groups. Have them discuss and share their opinions on the topic of animals living in fancy places. They can discuss whether they think it is ethical or not, and whether they would like to have a fancy home for their own pets. After the discussion, conduct a poll by having each group share their opinions and tallying the results on the board.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Select a few key vocabulary words from the article, such as “guinea pig,” “fancy,” and “spoiled.” Divide the class into teams and give each team a whiteboard or a piece of paper. One student from each team will come to the front of the class and draw a picture representing one of the vocabulary words. The rest of the team must guess the word based on the drawing. The team that guesses correctly gets a point.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Assign each group to discuss the pros and cons of animals living in fancy places, as shown in the article. They should consider the benefits and drawbacks of such a lifestyle for the animals. After the discussion, have each group present their findings to the rest of the class and facilitate a class discussion on the topic.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask the students to imagine the future of social media and animal content. In pairs or small groups, have them brainstorm and discuss how they think social media platforms like TikTok will continue to influence the popularity of animal-related content. They can also predict how animals might be showcased in the future. After the discussion, invite volunteers to share their predictions with the class.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the name of the shed where the guinea pigs live?
2. How many guinea pigs live in “the Ritz” shed?
3. What are some of the things the guinea pigs do in the videos?
4. Why are these videos so popular on TikTok?
5. What has happened to the Masons’ Cavies on TikTok?
6. What do these videos show about the power of social media?
7. What kind of people enjoy watching the Masons’ Cavies’ videos?
8. What do the viral guinea pig videos on TikTok remind us about?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A TikTok (1)______ with guinea pigs living in a fancy shed has become super popular, getting over 140 million (2)______. The shed is called “the Ritz” and has more than 140 guinea pigs living in it. It has air conditioning and room service. The (3)______, made by Sophie and Mark Mason, who are known as Masons’ Cavies, show the guinea pigs eating big plates of veggies and chilling in special beds. Each guinea pig has its own name and (4)______.

Lots of people are really interested in animals living in comfy and (5)______ places, and that’s why these videos are so (6)______ on TikTok. The guinea pigs’ fancy home has caught the attention and love of people on TikTok. The Masons’ (7)______ have done a (8)______ job of showing off their cute and spoiled guinea pigs on the internet.

The Masons’ Cavies have become really famous on TikTok, with millions of people watching their videos of the guinea pigs’ fancy life. These videos show how powerful social media is for spreading happiness and fun. People from all over the (9)______ are obsessed with these cute animals and their fancy (10)______.

The Masons’ Cavies have found a special place on TikTok where people who love animals can watch cute and well-taken-care-of pets. These videos let people escape for a little while and (11)______ the world of these spoiled guinea pigs. The success of the Masons’ Cavies on TikTok (12)______ us that social media has all kinds of cool (13)______ to watch and that we can find joy in (14)______ places.

In the end, the guinea pig videos on TikTok going viral show how much people like animals living in fancy places. The Masons’ Cavies have made a fun and (15)______ online presence, and they’ve won over millions of people with their cute and well-taken-care-of guinea pigs. These videos remind us that even our furry (16)______ can find happiness in the simple things in life.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. Have you ever heard of TikTok? What do you think about it?
2. Do you like guinea pigs? Why or why not?
3. How would you feel if you had a fancy shed like “the Ritz” for your pets?
4. What do you think makes these guinea pig videos so popular on TikTok?
5. Have you ever seen any videos of animals living in fancy places before? What did you think?
6. Do you think social media is a good way to spread happiness and fun? Why or why not?
7. Have you ever had a pet with its own name and personality? How did you choose the name?
8. Why do you think people from all over the world are obsessed with these cute animals and their fancy homes?
9. What kind of videos do you like to watch on social media? Why?
10. Do you think it’s important to take good care of pets? Why or why not?
11. How do you think the Masons’ Cavies have become so famous on TikTok?
12. Have you ever had a pet that made you feel happy and relaxed? What did it do?
13. Do you think it’s possible for animals to find happiness in the simple things in life? Why or why not?
14. What other animals do you think would be fun to watch on TikTok? Why?
15. How do you think the Masons’ Cavies have made a unique online presence?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. viral
2. obsessed
3. unique
4. presence
5. spoiled
6. comfy
7. powerful
8. escape
9. reminds
10. unexpected
11. joy
12. fancy
13. personality
14. success
15. furry

Meanings:
(A) Very comfortable and cozy
(B) A feeling of great happiness or pleasure
(C) Covered with a thick, soft coat of hair
(D) Causes someone to remember or think about something
(E) Becoming extremely popular very quickly on the internet
(F) Given too many things easily, without needing to work for them
(G) The achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted
(H) Very elaborate and luxurious; very nice in a way that shows wealth
(I) The state of being somewhere, often felt by others even if not seen
(J) Unable to stop thinking about something; very interested or concerned
(K) Not expected or predicted; surprising
(L) Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else
(M) The unique characteristics and qualities that make someone or something different from others
(N) Getting away from a place or situation that feels confining or stressful
(O) Having a lot of strength or force; very influential
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. How many views has the TikTok video of the guinea pigs’ fancy shed received?
(a) Over 100 million
(b) Over 50 million
(c) Over 140 million
(d) Over 200 million

2. What is the name of the shed where the guinea pigs live?
(a) The Palace
(b) The Manor
(c) The Mansion
(d) The Ritz

3. What do the guinea pigs eat in the videos?
(a) Pizza and burgers
(b) Ice cream and cake
(c) Big plates of veggies
(d) Fish and chips

4. What is the main reason why the videos are popular on TikTok?
(a) People are interested in animals living in comfy and fancy places
(b) The videos have catchy music
(c) The guinea pigs can do tricks
(d) The videos are filmed in exotic locations

5. What is the name of the TikTok account that makes the guinea pig videos?
(a) Guinea Pig Paradise
(b) Masons’ Cavies
(c) Fancy Pets Forever
(d) The Ritz Rodents

6. What is the main message of the article?
(a) Social media can spread happiness and fun
(b) TikTok is the best platform for pet videos
(c) Fancy homes make animals happy
(d) The Masons’ Cavies are the most famous TikTokers

7. What do the guinea pig videos on TikTok remind us of?
(a) That guinea pigs are the best pets
(b) That animals should live in fancy homes
(c) That TikTok is the most popular app
(d) That social media has cool stuff to watch

8. What do the guinea pig videos show about the Masons’ Cavies?
(a) They have millions of followers on TikTok
(b) They have a fun and unique online presence
(c) They take good care of their guinea pigs
(d) All of the above

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. These videos demonstrate the power of social media in spreading sadness and boredom, as people from all over the world are uninterested in the cute and spoiled guinea pigs.
2. The shed, called “the Ritz,” is home to less than 140 guinea pigs and lacks amenities like air conditioning and room service.
3. The failure of the Masons’ Cavies on TikTok serves as a reminder that social media can offer expected sources of joy, and even animals can find happiness in the complex things in life.
4. The videos have become incredibly popular on TikTok because many people are fascinated by animals living in comfortable and fancy environments.
5. Each guinea pig in the shed has its own name and unique personality.
6. The Masons’ Cavies, who created the videos, have gained a lot of fame on TikTok with millions of people watching their content.
7. The guinea pigs in the video are shown eating large plates of vegetables and relaxing in special beds.
8. A TikTok video featuring guinea pigs living in a modest shed has gained over 140 million views.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the name of the shed where the guinea pigs live?
2. How many guinea pigs live in “the Ritz” shed?
3. What are some of the things the guinea pigs do in the videos?
4. Why are the videos of the guinea pigs so popular on TikTok?
5. What does the success of the Masons’ Cavies on TikTok remind us about social media?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the name of the shed where the guinea pigs live?
The shed is called “the Ritz.”

2. How many guinea pigs live in “the Ritz” shed?
There are more than 140 guinea pigs living in “the Ritz” shed.

3. What are some of the things the guinea pigs do in the videos?
The guinea pigs are shown eating big plates of veggies and chilling in special beds.

4. Why are these videos so popular on TikTok?
Lots of people are interested in animals living in comfy and fancy places, which is why these videos are popular. The guinea pigs’ fancy home has caught the attention and love of people on TikTok.

5. What has happened to the Masons’ Cavies on TikTok?
The Masons’ Cavies have become really famous on TikTok, with millions of people watching their videos of the guinea pigs’ fancy life.

6. What do these videos show about the power of social media?
These videos show how powerful social media is for spreading happiness and fun. They remind us that social media has all kinds of cool stuff to watch and that we can find joy in unexpected places.

7. What kind of people enjoy watching the Masons’ Cavies’ videos?
People from all over the world who love animals enjoy watching the Masons’ Cavies’ videos.

8. What do the viral guinea pig videos on TikTok remind us about?
The viral guinea pig videos on TikTok remind us that animals can find happiness in the simple things in life.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) video
(2) views
(3) videos
(4) personality
(5) fancy
(6) popular
(7) Cavies
(8) great
(9) world
(10) homes
(11) enjoy
(12) reminds
(13) stuff
(14) unexpected
(15) unique
(16) friends
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. viral
Answer: (E) Becoming extremely popular very quickly on the internet

2. obsessed
Answer: (J) Unable to stop thinking about something; very interested or concerned

3. unique
Answer: (L) Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else

4. presence
Answer: (I) The state of being somewhere, often felt by others even if not seen

5. spoiled
Answer: (F) Given too many things easily, without needing to work for them

6. comfy
Answer: (A) Very comfortable and cozy

7. powerful
Answer: (O) Having a lot of strength or force; very influential

8. escape
Answer: (N) Getting away from a place or situation that feels confining or stressful

9. reminds
Answer: (D) Causes someone to remember or think about something

10. unexpected
Answer: (K) Not expected or predicted; surprising

11. joy
Answer: (B) A feeling of great happiness or pleasure

12. fancy
Answer: (H) Very elaborate and luxurious; very nice in a way that shows wealth

13. personality
Answer: (M) The unique characteristics and qualities that make someone or something different from others

14. success
Answer: (G) The achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted

15. furry
Answer: (C) Covered with a thick, soft coat of hair
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. How many views has the TikTok video of the guinea pigs’ fancy shed received?
Answer: (c) Over 140 million

2. What is the name of the shed where the guinea pigs live?
Answer: (d) The Ritz

3. What do the guinea pigs eat in the videos?
Answer: (c) Big plates of veggies

4. What is the main reason why the videos are popular on TikTok?
Answer: (a) People are interested in animals living in comfy and fancy places

5. What is the name of the TikTok account that makes the guinea pig videos?
Answer: (b) Masons’ Cavies

6. What is the main message of the article?
Answer: (a) Social media can spread happiness and fun

7. What do the guinea pig videos on TikTok remind us of?
Answer: (d) That social media has cool stuff to watch

8. What do the guinea pig videos show about the Masons’ Cavies?
Answer: (b) They have a fun and unique online presence
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. These videos demonstrate the power of social media in spreading sadness and boredom, as people from all over the world are uninterested in the cute and spoiled guinea pigs. (Answer: False)
2. The shed, called “the Ritz,” is home to less than 140 guinea pigs and lacks amenities like air conditioning and room service. (Answer: False)
3. The failure of the Masons’ Cavies on TikTok serves as a reminder that social media can offer expected sources of joy, and even animals can find happiness in the complex things in life. (Answer: False)
4. The videos have become incredibly popular on TikTok because many people are fascinated by animals living in comfortable and fancy environments. (Answer: True)
5. Each guinea pig in the shed has its own name and unique personality. (Answer: True)
6. The Masons’ Cavies, who created the videos, have gained a lot of fame on TikTok with millions of people watching their content. (Answer: True)
7. The guinea pigs in the video are shown eating large plates of vegetables and relaxing in special beds. (Answer: True)
8. A TikTok video featuring guinea pigs living in a modest shed has gained over 140 million views. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧