C2 Speaking evolution of dogs

C2 speaking and vocabulary

The Evolution of Dogs

Explore how wolves and humans may have changed one another—and build an evidence-based answer about survival, society and cooperation.

Dogs among flowers from the original lesson background
LevelC2 proficiency
FocusEvolution and society
Output2–3 minute monologue
Language20 target terms

1 · Opening position 4 minutes

Who changed whom?

Respond in 30 seconds: Did humans domesticate wolves, or did the relationship transform both species? Give one reason, then compare your answer with a partner.

2 · Vocabulary preparation 12–15 minutes

Organise the language by idea

Check each meaning, then choose ten terms that you could use naturally in the final task.

Origins and partnership

  • unprecedented — never previously known or experienced.
  • apex predator — a predator at the top of a food chain.
  • mutual evolution / co-evolved — two species evolving while influencing each other.
  • cross-species bond — a deep connection between different species.
  • self-selecting — naturally choosing a niche without deliberate external selection.
  • scavenger / scavenge — an animal that feeds, or the act of feeding, on leftovers.

Biological change

  • domestication syndrome — linked physical and behavioural traits common in domesticated animals.
  • neural crest cells — embryonic cells associated with several domestication traits.
  • cascading changes — a chain reaction affecting several systems.
  • oxytocin — a hormone associated with social bonding.
  • hardwired — innate or biologically built in rather than learned.

Survival advantage

  • persistence hunting — pursuing prey over distance until it is exhausted.
  • metabolic cost — the energy or physiological burden of an activity.
  • alarm bark — a warning vocalisation signalling danger.
  • ecological dominance — controlling resources or outperforming competitors within an environment.
  • outcompete — to surpass a rival in obtaining resources or surviving.

Human society

  • food surplus — food beyond immediate survival needs.
  • specialisation / specialised crafts — concentrating on a particular skilled role.
  • long-distance trade networks — systems of exchange extending across large areas.
  • large-scale cooperation — coordinated action among large groups or societies.
3 · Evidence planning 10 minutes

Build the argument in four stages

Video evidence: note one example for each stage. The original activity refers to a video; use the lesson video supplied by your teacher.
1 · First contactHow might bold, self-selecting wolves scavenging near camps have begun the process of domestication?
2 · SurvivalHow could hunting assistance and alarm barks have helped humans reduce risk and outcompete rivals?
3 · Social changeHow might food surplus have encouraged specialisation, crafts and wider trade?
4 · CooperationCould the oxytocin response connected with human–dog eye contact have strengthened empathy and large-scale cooperation?

4 · C2 speaking task 2–3 minutes

Was the human–wolf bond decisive?

Discuss whether the unprecedented cross-species bond between early humans and wolves, developed through mutual evolution, was decisive in making modern humans the sole surviving apex predator.

  • Use evidence from all four stages above.
  • Use at least ten target terms accurately and naturally.
  • Support your view with examples from the lesson video.
  • Include one qualification or counterargument before your conclusion.
Vocabulary: 10+ terms used accurately
Evidence: specific examples included
Structure: clear progression of ideas
Judgement: a balanced final position