Characters: Kelsey, Socrates K: Excuse me. S: Yes, may I help you?
K: Yes, I'm looking for my cat. Have you seen one around here?
S: I beg your pardon?
K: A cat. You see, my cat's gone and I don't know where she went. I think she came this way, though.
S: Ah, I see.
K: Her name's Tiger. She's quite small and only about nine months old. I'm quite worried about her. ...Oh, my name's Kelsey, by the way. S: I say, what is a cat exactly?
K: ...Pardon me?
S: A cat. What do you mean by 'cat'? K: Well...I suppose I mean a thing with four legs.
S: You mean like a table?
K: No, of course not. It isn't like a table. A cat's a living thing. It moves, you see. My cat is quite a fast cat, too.
S: Fast like a horse?
K: No, it's not like a horse at all! I told you, my cat is small. A horse is much too large. Anyway, have you seen her?
S: You're telling me this cat is small, fast like a horse and has four legs like a table. But it isn't as big as a horse, and it's a living thing, so it's not like a table. K: Yes! That's exactly what I'm telling you! S: But you still haven't answered my question. What is a cat?
If I cut off your cat's legs or stop it from moving, is it still a cat? K: Well...yes!
S: And if I do this to your cat, will its name still be "Tiger"? Will it still be your cat?
K: ...Yes. Yes, of course... S: So please tell me then. I'll ask one more time. What is a cat?
K: ...I don't know anymore. ...So, are you telling me you haven't seen her? S: Of course I've seen her. She went that way.
K: Ah...Thank you... Now listen to the questions. If you don't understand something, ask either Kelsey or your tutor for help. Send your answers to Kelsey in the Writing Section at LingQ or tell Kelsey your answers in a conversation with him in the Speaking Section. You don't have to answer all the questions. Good luck!
