pl-mt1-3 · Matura Practice Tests
Task three. You will hear an interview with Megan, a student who spent a year working at an animal shelter.
Today my guest is Megan Price, who spent last year as a volunteer at an animal shelter in Oregon. Megan, why did you decide to do this?
Well, after high school I wasn't sure what to study. My parents wanted me to go straight to college, but I felt I needed some time to think. I've always loved animals, and a friend of mine had volunteered at the same shelter, so I gave it a try.
What did a normal day look like?
It started at seven, which was hard for me, because I'm not a morning person. First we fed the animals and cleaned the cages. That took about three hours. Then we took the dogs for walks. The afternoons were for visitors, people who wanted to adopt a pet.
Was there anything you didn't expect?
Definitely. I thought I would spend most of my time with animals, but a big part of the job was talking to people. Some visitors wanted a cute puppy but had no idea how much work it is. I had to explain, politely, that a dog needs walks even when it's raining.
Do you remember a special animal?
Oh yes, Rocky. He was an old dog, nine years old, and nobody wanted him because he was a bit scary-looking. He stayed at the shelter for eight months. Then a retired teacher came in, and they just loved each other from the first minute. I cried when he left, but they were happy tears.
What was the most difficult part?
Not the physical work, actually. You get used to that. The hardest thing was when animals came in sick or hurt because someone had treated them badly. On those days it was hard to stay calm.
And what are your plans now?
I've applied to study veterinary medicine. A year ago I would have said I wanted to be a teacher, but the shelter changed my mind. And I still go there every Saturday, because I can't imagine my weekends without the dogs.
Today my guest is Megan Price, who spent last year as a volunteer at an animal shelter in Oregon. Megan, why did you decide to do this?
Well, after high school I wasn't sure what to study. My parents wanted me to go straight to college, but I felt I needed some time to think. I've always loved animals, and a friend of mine had volunteered at the same shelter, so I gave it a try.
What did a normal day look like?
It started at seven, which was hard for me, because I'm not a morning person. First we fed the animals and cleaned the cages. That took about three hours. Then we took the dogs for walks. The afternoons were for visitors, people who wanted to adopt a pet.
Was there anything you didn't expect?
Definitely. I thought I would spend most of my time with animals, but a big part of the job was talking to people. Some visitors wanted a cute puppy but had no idea how much work it is. I had to explain, politely, that a dog needs walks even when it's raining.
Do you remember a special animal?
Oh yes, Rocky. He was an old dog, nine years old, and nobody wanted him because he was a bit scary-looking. He stayed at the shelter for eight months. Then a retired teacher came in, and they just loved each other from the first minute. I cried when he left, but they were happy tears.
What was the most difficult part?
Not the physical work, actually. You get used to that. The hardest thing was when animals came in sick or hurt because someone had treated them badly. On those days it was hard to stay calm.
And what are your plans now?
I've applied to study veterinary medicine. A year ago I would have said I wanted to be a teacher, but the shelter changed my mind. And I still go there every Saturday, because I can't imagine my weekends without the dogs.
