The Brown Head of a Dog

Shady Abuyusuf

Mon, 09 Jun 2025

650

I was out boating on the lake when I saw the brown head of a dog in the middle of the lake. I couldn't believe it; I could barely even see the shore from where I was. Who would have dumped their dog into the middle of the lake to drown? I sped up my boat, heading straight towards the dog, intent on bringing it into my boat before it could drown. I got closer, and it turned its head and roared at me. I promptly changed my mind and decided that the small brown bear was perfectly capable of swimming to shore on its own power.

Vocabulary Items:

1. Boat on
• Meaning: To travel or move in a boat on a body of water.
• Pronunciation: /boʊt ɒn/
• Form: Verb phrase.
• Usage: "I was out boating on the lake."

2. Dump into
• Meaning: To throw or dispose of something carelessly or abruptly into a place.
• Pronunciation: /dʌmp ˈɪntu/
• Form: Phrasal verb.
• Usage: "Who would have dumped their dog into the middle of the lake?"

3. Speed up
• Meaning: To increase speed or go faster.
• Pronunciation: /spid ʌp/
• Form: Phrasal verb.
• Usage: "I sped up my boat."

4. Head towards
• Meaning: To move in the direction of something.
• Pronunciation: /hɛd təˈwɔrdz/
• Form: Phrasal verb.
• Usage: "Heading straight towards the dog."

5. Roar at
• Meaning: To make a loud, deep sound as a sign of anger or excitement, usually by an animal.
• Pronunciation: /rɔr æt/
• Form: Verb phrase.
• Usage: "It turned its head and roared at me."

6. Promptly
• Meaning: Immediately or without delay.
• Pronunciation: /ˈprɒmptli/
• Form: Adverb.
• Usage: "I promptly changed my mind."

7. On one's own power
• Meaning: Using one's own strength or ability without assistance.
• Pronunciation: /ɒn wʌnz oʊn ˈpaʊər/
• Form: Phrase.

Usage: "Capable of swimming to shore on its own power."