Study Buddy (Explorer): ‘Naughty but adorable’ pet goat in China that eats everything becomes an internet sensation

[2] The goat’s owner, surnamed Huang, from Shaanxi province in northwestern China, allows the 25kg animal, named Kaochuan, free rein of his home. Kaochuan is a risk taker and tries to eat and play with everything he sees.

[3] In a viral video, Kaochuan is seen happily accompanying his owner, no matter where Huang goes or what he is doing. Huang was trying to weave a straw basket in his courtyard at home while Kaochuan jumped, ran around and bumped against Huang a few times. Huang tried to calm him down by kicking him away playfully, but Kaochuan did not give up.

[4] When this did not work, Huang stood up and tied Kaochuan to a wooden chair. When he restarted his weaving work, Kaochuan put out his tongue and started to lick Huang’s elbow.

[5] Kaochuan also showed a hungry curiosity about everything around him, including a hammer, screws, nails and even a cat, attempting to taste and play with each in turn. “Do you want to eat a screw too?” Huang asked Kaochuan. On hearing this, Kaochuan closed his mouth, raised his head and glanced at Huang, then gave him a nod. “OK, go try,” Huang said.

[6] Later, when they passed by some pieces of wood and nails scattered around, Kaochuan tried to eat these items as well, despite Huang trying to pull him away. In one scene of the video, the naughty goat is seen nibbling on his owner’s T-shirt, eating a big piece of the garment.

[7] Huang’s wife, who was not named, is also used to Kaochuan’s determination to not miss out on trying to eat everything. In another scene, as she was using some corn husks to light a fire for cooking a meal, Kaochuan raced up to the stove and began eating the husks. “When you are eating, you really forget who your mum is,” Huang’s wife joked in the video.

[8] The woman said Kaochuan was often very naughty around the house where he often annoyed their other pets by driving the cat out of its basket and headbutting the family dog.

[9] Kaochuan has gone viral on mainland Chinese social media, with many watching the video amused by the goat’s lively antics. One person joked: “It perfectly explains that the one who is loved has no fear.” Another said: “A naughty but adorable goat. Kaochuan definitely grows up in a family with lots of love.”
Source: South China Morning Post, October 16

1. In paragraph 1, the goat lives …
A. in the wild.
B. with a family.
C. in a zoo.
D. on social media.

2. Find a word in paragraph 3 that means “staying close to”.

3. In paragraph 3, what is Kaochuan preventing Huang from doing?

4. What does “this” in paragraph 4 refer to?

5. Decide whether the following statements about Kaochuan are True, False or the information is Not Given in paragraphs 5 and 6. Blacken ONE circle only for each statement. (4 marks)
(i) He seems to understand what Huang is saying.
(ii) He likes playing with small objects.
(iii) He tries to eat objects that are not edible.
(iv) He has damaged most of Huang’s clothes.

6. Find a phrase in paragraph 6 that is similar to “strewn everywhere”.

7. In paragraph 7, Huang’s wife is _____________ the goat’s antics.
A. amused by
B. offended by
C. upset with
D. worried by

8. According to paragraph 8, how might the couple’s other pets feel about Kaochuan, and why? (2 marks)

9. In paragraph 9, netizens …
A. think Huang and his wife are bad owners.
B. are worried about Kaochuan’s safety.
C. find Kaochuan’s behaviour endearing.
D. none of the above

1. B
2. accompanying
3. weaving a basket
4. Huang trying to calm Kaochuan down by kicking him away
5. (i) T; (ii) NG; (iii) T; (iv) NG
6. scattered around
7. A
8. They might feel annoyed with him because he bullies them. / They might feel annoyed with him because he drives the cat out of its basket and headbutts the family dog. (accept similar answers)
9. C