托福访谈题：与宠物共同生活

I looked after my cousin's cat for a weekend while she travelled. I expected to give it food and change the water, but I also had to notice whether it was using the litter tray normally. My cousin left clear instructions, so I checked them each morning. The cat was shy and hid when I arrived. I learned to sit quietly instead of trying to play immediately. Taking care of an animal needed more patience and attention than I had imagined.

• instead of trying to play immediately · 说先不急着逗它玩，照顾到宠物的反应
• more patience and attention than I had imagined · 说照看宠物更费耐心，写出想法前后的变化

I looked after my cousin's cat for a weekend and discovered that feeding was only a small part of the job. I initially wanted to make it comfortable by playing with it, but it stayed under a chair whenever I approached. After checking the instructions, I sat quietly nearby and let it decide when to come out. By the second evening, it was willing to sit beside me. The unexpected responsibility was paying attention without constantly intervening. I had to follow a routine and notice changes, rather than assume that being enthusiastic about animals meant I already knew what they needed.

• let it decide when to come out · 说等它自己出来，照顾宠物的做法更清楚
• paying attention without constantly intervening · 说留心观察又不过多干预，解释怎么照看

I would prefer helping a friend for now. I like animals, but my timetable changes during exams and internships. If I had my own pet, I would need to arrange care whenever I travelled home. Looking after my cousin's cat for a weekend was enjoyable because I could prepare for those two days. I do not want to make a long commitment before I know where I will live after graduation. Helping occasionally feels more suitable for my present life.

• for now · 用 for now 说明只是目前这样想
• a long commitment · 说养宠物要长期负责，解释顾虑在哪

At this stage, I'd rather help a friend occasionally. Enjoying animals isn't the same as being able to provide a stable home for years. My next two summers may involve internships in different places, and I don't yet know where I'll live after graduation. For my cousin's cat, I could clear one weekend and follow her routine. Owning a pet would mean planning every trip and housing decision around another living creature's needs. I might welcome that responsibility later. For now, helping someone I trust gives me contact with animals without making a promise my current circumstances may not support.

• provide a stable home for years · 补上要照顾很多年，让养宠物的责任更好懂
• a promise my current circumstances may not support · 说眼下条件可能不允许，解释为什么暂时不养

I do not think it happens automatically. A pet creates responsibilities, but a person still needs time and willingness to meet them. My cousin planned feeding times and found someone to help before she travelled. That showed responsibility. Another student could simply leave the work to a roommate. I think students should understand the daily tasks before getting an animal. A pet can help someone build a routine, but it should not be used as an experiment to fix poor habits.

• creates responsibilities · 说养宠物会多出责任，没说人自然就会负责
• leave the work to a roommate · 举出把活推给室友，说明养宠物未必教人负责

I'd question the word automatically. Caring for an animal can encourage routines, but simply bringing one home doesn't guarantee that those routines will be followed. My cousin is careful about feeding, cleaning, and arranging care before a trip. The responsibility shows in those repeated choices, not in the fact that she owns a cat. I'd want someone to understand the commitment before deciding, perhaps by helping an experienced owner first. A pet is a living creature with continuing needs, so I wouldn't treat getting one as a convenient method for teaching myself habits I haven't yet learned to maintain.

• The responsibility shows in those repeated choices · 用反复做的选择说明负不负责要看行动
• perhaps by helping an experienced owner first · 建议先帮有经验的人照顾宠物，给出准备办法

I would support a small number of pet-friendly residences, but students should know the arrangement before moving in. Some people have allergies or are afraid of animals. They should still have suitable rooms elsewhere. The rules would need to explain cleaning, noise, and who is responsible if an owner travels. I would also want staff to check whether the rooms are suitable for the animals. Allowing pets should involve more than simply adding an extra fee to the housing bill.

• before moving in · 说搬进去前就要知道规则，时间点很清楚
• who is responsible if an owner travels · 补上主人出门后谁来照顾，让规则更周全

I'd be open to a carefully managed option in selected residences. It could help pet owners, but shouldn't disadvantage residents with allergies, fears, or a need for quiet. Students would need clear information before choosing a room, and there should be suitable alternatives. I'd also want rules that address the animal's needs, not just complaints from neighbours: space, exercise, cleaning, and arrangements when the owner is away all matter. Charging an extra fee wouldn't solve those issues by itself. I would start small, involve housing staff in setting workable conditions, and review actual problems before extending the policy to more buildings.

• a carefully managed option · 说支持的是管得好的尝试，给赞同加上条件
• arrangements when the owner is away · 举出主人不在的情况，提醒提前安排照顾