Cats 101: Toyger

One look, and it’s clear where the Toyger gets its name. It looks, as the name suggests,
like a toy tiger.

clear = duidelijk

to suggest = suggereren, voorstellen

-- a suggestion = een suggestive

a toy = een stuk speelgoed

-- toys = speelgoed

It’s almost “Sinterklaas” time, which means that thousands of children will be asking for
(and getting) toys. Can you correctly connect these English and Dutch toys?

1. gezelschapsspel 1. chemistry set

2. spelcomputer (Playstation, Wii, etc.) 2. board game

3. speelgoedpop 3. building set

4. videospel 4. stuffed animal

5. actiefiguur (G.I. Joe, Thundercats, etc.) 5. card game

6. scheikundeset 6. alarm clock

7. blokkendoos 7. bouncer, bouncy

8. pluchen dier 8. video game

9. kaartspel 9. action figure

10. springkasteel 10. doll

11. schommel 11. swing set

12. wekker 12. game console

What are your favorite toys? Can you remember some of the toys you got from
“Sinterklaas”?
As a result of its unusual appearance, this dynamic cat has grabbed some serious
attention. It’s even been on the cover of various magazines. But fame comes with a
price: purchasing a pure-bred Toyger can cost as much as $5,000!

unusual = ongewoon, uitzonderlijk

-- usual(ly)= gewoon(lijk)

dynamic = dynamisch, energiek

to grab = (vast)pakken, grijpen, bemachtigen

serious = serieus

attention = aandacht

-- attentive = aandachtig

-- inattentive = onaandachtig

-- to pay attention to = aandacht besteden aan

the cover = de voorpagina (van een magazine of boek)

-- don’t judge a book by its cover = iemand of iets niet op zijn uiterlijk beoordelen

various = verschillende

-- a variety = een variëteit, een reeks

-- to vary (between) = verschillen (tussen)

fame = bekendheid

-- famous = beroemd

-- infamous = berucht

a price = een prijs

to purchase = kopen

pure = puur, zuiver

-- impure = onzuiver
$5,000 is a lot of money. Can you correctly pronounce and write down these other
numbers?
0=

½
=

⅓=

¼=

⅔=

¾=

⅕=

⅗=

1st =

2nd =

3rd =

4th =

19 =

57 =

90 =

200 =

301 =

598 =

4,621 =

17,367=

387,547 =

3,321,098 =

45,546,098 =

876,543,657 =
The cost of the Toyger has less to do with the demand than it does with a related
cause. Many Toyger breeders donate a portion of the proceeds of kitten sales to
charities for tiger conservation.

a demand = een vraag

-- a supply = een aanbod

The price of something depends on the supply of it and the demand for it. When the
demand for something is high and the supply remains the same, the price will go
up/down*. When the demand is low and the supply remains the same, the price will go
up/down*.

*Cross out what is incorrect.

related = gerelateerd, verbonden

a cause = een oorzaak, een goed doel

to donate = doneren, schenken

-- a donation = een donatie, een schenking

a portion = een portie, een deel

the proceeds = the profit = de winst, de opbrengst

-- the loss = het verlies

a sale = een verkoop

-- a purchase = een aankoop

a charity = een goed doel

conservation = conservatie, behoud

-- to conserve = behouden

The Toyger was specifically designed to have as many features of the tiger as possible.
Its coat with vertical stripes in one of those features, its short legs that keep its body
situated lower to the ground is another.

specifically = specifiek, special

to design = ontwerpen

-- a design = een ontwerp

-- a designer = een ontwerper

a feature = een kenmerk, een trek

to situate = situeren, plaatsen

-- a situation = een situatie

The Toyger’s eyes can reflect light with incredible intensity. This is an integral part of
the cat’s ability to have night vision. In dark environments, light that enters the cat’s
eyes is bounced back by a membrane at the back of the eye. This means that the Toyger
and other cats can process what they see with twice the effectiveness!

intensity = intensiteit

-- intense = intens

an ability = een vermogen, een eigenschap

a membrane = een membraan

to process = verwerken

-- a process = een process

effectiveness = effectiviteit

-- effective = effectief

-- ineffective = oneffectief

Just like last week, read this last part aloud and summarize what is says in your own
words:

The Toyger is really a very friendly cat. It can be left on its own, but it really likes to be
with people. The Toyger is a fairly healthy breed, but it can suffer from a few health
problems, mostly involving the heart and eyes. The Toyger needs to be brushed often,
and it’s best to start brushing these cats when they are young, because it is a great way
to bond with your cat. A lot of cats see grooming as a form of attention or reward. The
Toyger is a great cat for almost anybody who loves cats.