In a recent incident, the president of Moldova’s dog bit the hand of the visiting president of Austria. This happened when President Maia Sandu and President Alexander Van der Bellen were walking together in the grounds of the presidential residence in Chisinau. President Van der Bellen tried to pet President Sandu’s dog, named Codrut, but the dog got scared because there were a lot of people around and ended up biting the Austrian president’s hand. President Van der Bellen was later seen with a bandaged hand and told everyone that he loves dogs.

The incident was caught on video and has been widely shared. It reminds us that even in formal situations, we should be careful when approaching animals and respect their boundaries. President Sandu explained that her dog was just scared and reacted without thinking. This incident shows us that pet owners need to be aware of their pets’ behavior and make sure they feel comfortable in social situations.

President Van der Bellen’s reaction to the incident shows that he understands and cares about animals. Even though he got bitten, he still loves dogs and doesn’t hold any grudges against President Sandu or her dog. This incident reminds us that accidents can happen, even with well-behaved pets, so it’s important to be cautious and respectful when dealing with animals.

Original news source: Moldovan president’s dog bites hand of visiting Austrian president (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Reporter Role-play
Instructions: Students pair up and take on the roles of a Moldovan reporter and an Austrian reporter covering the incident involving the presidents’ dog. They should create a short news report, including key details from the article and conducting a mock interview with witnesses or the presidents themselves. Afterwards, pairs can present their news reports to the class.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Students think individually about the incident and write down their thoughts on how to approach animals in unfamiliar situations. They pair up to share their ideas and discuss the appropriate behavior around pets, especially in formal or crowded environments. After the discussion, each pair shares their conclusions with the class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary from the article (e.g., “bit,” “bandaged,” “scared,” “boundaries,” “grudges,” “cautious”) on slips of paper. Students take turns drawing the words for their team to guess, without speaking or writing any part of the word.

– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Create a line in the classroom representing a spectrum of opinions from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” Read out statements related to the article, such as “It’s always safe to approach a pet during formal events,” or “Pet owners should always be in control of their pets in public.” Students position themselves along the line according to their opinion and discuss their reasons with nearby classmates.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Students work in small groups to discuss and predict future protocols for diplomatic visits involving pets, based on the incident. They should consider what measures might be taken to prevent similar situations and how to balance the comfort of pets with formalities of state visits. Each group presents their predictions and justifications to the class.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What event took place involving the presidents of Moldova and Austria?
2. Where did the incident with the dog occur?
3. What is the name of President Sandu’s dog?
4. Why did the dog bite the Austrian president?
5. How was President Van der Bellen’s injury treated?
6. What was President Van der Bellen’s attitude towards dogs after the incident?
7. What lesson does this incident teach us about interacting with animals?
8. How did President Sandu describe her dog’s behavior during the incident?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a recent incident, the president of Moldova’s dog bit the hand of the visiting president of Austria. This (1)______ when President Maia (2)______ and President Alexander Van der Bellen were walking together in the grounds of the presidential (3)______ in Chisinau. President Van der Bellen tried to pet President Sandu’s dog, (4)______ Codrut, but the dog got scared because there were a lot of people around and (5)______ up biting the Austrian president’s hand. President Van der (6)______ was later seen with a (7)______ hand and told everyone that he loves dogs.

The (8)______ was caught on video and has been widely shared. It reminds us that even in formal situations, we should be (9)______ when approaching animals and respect their boundaries. (10)______ Sandu explained that her dog was just scared and reacted without thinking. This incident shows us that pet owners need to be aware of their pets’ (11)______ and make sure they feel comfortable in (12)______ situations.

President Van der Bellen’s reaction to the incident (13)______ that he understands and cares about (14)______. Even though he got bitten, he still loves dogs and doesn’t hold any grudges against President Sandu or her dog. This incident (15)______ us that accidents can happen, even with well-behaved pets, so it’s important to be cautious and (16)______ when dealing with animals.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite kind of pet, and why do you like it?
2. How would you feel if a dog bit you while you were trying to be friendly?
3. Do you think it’s important to train pets well? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever been scared by an animal? What happened?
5. Do you like to approach animals you don’t know? Why or why not?
6. How do you think you would react if your pet bit someone?
7. Do you think people should always ask before they pet someone else’s animal? Why?
8. What do you think is the best way to make an animal feel comfortable around lots of people?
9. Have you ever had to deal with a pet’s bad behavior in public? What did you do?
10. Do you think President Van der Bellen responded well after being bitten? Why or why not?
11. Do you believe that someone can still love animals even after a bad experience with one?
12. What is your opinion on holding grudges against animals for their actions?
13. How important do you think it is to respect an animal’s personal space?
14. Have you ever witnessed an accident involving a pet? What happened and how was it handled?
15. Do you think that pet owners should be held responsible for their pets’ actions in public? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. incident
2. president
3. dog
4. hand
5. scared
6. bit
7. video
8. shared

Meanings:
(a) The part of the body at the end of the arm
(b) To distribute or make something available to others
(c) The leader of a country
(d) A recording of moving images
(e) A domesticated animal that is often kept as a pet
(f) To use the teeth to cut or pierce something
(g) An event or occurrence that happened recently
(h) Feeling afraid or frightened
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What happened when President Maia Sandu and President Alexander Van der Bellen were walking together?
(a) President Van der Bellen’s hand got scratched by President Sandu’s dog
(b) President Van der Bellen’s hand got licked by President Sandu’s dog
(c) President Van der Bellen’s hand got bitten by President Sandu’s dog
(d) President Van der Bellen’s hand got petted by President Sandu’s dog

2. Why did President Sandu’s dog bite President Van der Bellen’s hand?
(a) The dog got scared because there were a lot of people around
(b) The dog didn’t like President Van der Bellen
(c) The dog was hungry and mistook President Van der Bellen’s hand for food
(d) The dog was playing and accidentally bit President Van der Bellen’s hand

3. What did President Van der Bellen say about the incident?
(a) He loves dogs
(b) He hates dogs
(c) He wants President Sandu to apologize
(d) He wants President Sandu’s dog to be put down

4. What can we learn from this incident?
(a) We should never approach animals in formal situations
(b) We should always carry treats to give to dogs we meet
(c) We should avoid walking with dogs in public places
(d) We should be careful when approaching animals and respect their boundaries

5. How did President Van der Bellen react to getting bitten?
(a) He is now afraid of dogs and wants to ban them from the presidential residence
(b) He wants President Sandu to pay for his medical expenses
(c) He wants President Sandu’s dog to be taken away from her
(d) He still loves dogs and doesn’t hold any grudges

6. What does this incident remind us about accidents with pets?
(a) Accidents only happen with aggressive pets
(b) Accidents can be avoided if pets are kept on a leash at all times
(c) Accidents can happen, even with well-behaved pets
(d) Accidents are always the owner’s fault

7. What does President Sandu say about her dog’s behavior?
(a) Her dog is always aggressive towards strangers
(b) Her dog was just scared and reacted without thinking
(c) Her dog is well-trained and would never bite anyone
(d) Her dog was hungry and mistook President Van der Bellen’s hand for food

8. What should pet owners be aware of in social situations?
(a) Their pets’ favorite toys and treats
(b) Their pets’ behavior and make sure they feel comfortable
(c) Their pets’ grooming needs
(d) Their pets’ exercise routine

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. President Van der Bellen no longer loves dogs and holds grudges against President Sandu and her dog.
2. President Van der Bellen was seen with a bandaged hand after the incident.
3. The cat got scared because there were only a few people around and ended up scratching the Austrian president’s hand.
4. The incident occurred while the two presidents were running separately in the grounds of the presidential residence in Chisinau.
5. President Van der Bellen tried to pet President Sandu’s dog, named Codrut.
6. President Sandu explained that her dog reacted without thinking because it was scared.
7. The incident was not caught on video and has not been widely shared.
8. The president of Moldova’s dog bit the hand of the visiting president of Austria.
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 happened between the presidents of Moldova and Austria during their walk in the presidential residence?
2. Why did President Sandu’s dog, Codrut, bite President Van der Bellen?
3. How did President Van der Bellen react after being bitten by the dog?
4. What lesson can we learn from this incident regarding how to behave around animals?
5. Despite being bitten, what did President Van der Bellen say about his feelings towards dogs?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What event took place involving the presidents of Moldova and Austria?
The president of Moldova’s dog bit the president of Austria’s hand.

2. Where did the incident with the dog occur?
The incident occurred in the grounds of the presidential residence in Chisinau.

3. What is the name of President Sandu’s dog?
President Sandu’s dog is named Codrut.

4. Why did the dog bite the Austrian president?
The dog got scared because there were a lot of people around and ended up biting the Austrian president’s hand.

5. How was President Van der Bellen’s injury treated?
President Van der Bellen was later seen with a bandaged hand.

6. What was President Van der Bellen’s attitude towards dogs after the incident?
President Van der Bellen still loves dogs and doesn’t hold any grudges against President Sandu or her dog.

7. What lesson does this incident teach us about interacting with animals?
This incident teaches us to be careful when approaching animals and to respect their boundaries.

8. How did President Sandu describe her dog’s behavior during the incident?
President Sandu explained that her dog was just scared and reacted without thinking.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) happened
(2) Sandu
(3) residence
(4) named
(5) ended
(6) Bellen
(7) bandaged
(8) incident
(9) careful
(10) President
(11) behavior
(12) social
(13) shows
(14) animals
(15) reminds
(16) respectful
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. incident
Answer: (g) An event or occurrence that happened recently

2. president
Answer: (c) The leader of a country

3. dog
Answer: (e) A domesticated animal that is often kept as a pet

4. hand
Answer: (a) The part of the body at the end of the arm

5. scared
Answer: (h) Feeling afraid or frightened

6. bit
Answer: (f) To use the teeth to cut or pierce something

7. video
Answer: (d) A recording of moving images

8. shared
Answer: (b) To distribute or make something available to others
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What happened when President Maia Sandu and President Alexander Van der Bellen were walking together?
Answer: (c) President Van der Bellen’s hand got bitten by President Sandu’s dog

2. Why did President Sandu’s dog bite President Van der Bellen’s hand?
Answer: (a) The dog got scared because there were a lot of people around

3. What did President Van der Bellen say about the incident?
Answer: (a) He loves dogs

4. What can we learn from this incident?
Answer: (d) We should be careful when approaching animals and respect their boundaries

5. How did President Van der Bellen react to getting bitten?
Answer: (d) He still loves dogs and doesn’t hold any grudges

6. What does this incident remind us about accidents with pets?
Answer: (c) Accidents can happen, even with well-behaved pets

7. What does President Sandu say about her dog’s behavior?
Answer: (b) Her dog was just scared and reacted without thinking

8. What should pet owners be aware of in social situations?
Answer: (b) Their pets’ behavior and make sure they feel comfortable
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. President Van der Bellen no longer loves dogs and holds grudges against President Sandu and her dog. (Answer: False)
2. President Van der Bellen was seen with a bandaged hand after the incident. (Answer: True)
3. The cat got scared because there were only a few people around and ended up scratching the Austrian president’s hand. (Answer: False)
4. The incident occurred while the two presidents were running separately in the grounds of the presidential residence in Chisinau. (Answer: False)
5. President Van der Bellen tried to pet President Sandu’s dog, named Codrut. (Answer: True)
6. President Sandu explained that her dog reacted without thinking because it was scared. (Answer: True)
7. The incident was not caught on video and has not been widely shared. (Answer: False)
8. The president of Moldova’s dog bit the hand of the visiting president of Austria. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧