Reading a dog's body language

Tests: 8 of 19 right · Exam: 1 of 4 right · Kind: plain · Understood: 13 of 23 · Run: 2026-10-18, commit f3c23ea72

Lesson 21 of the everyday course of Mova's primary school, as Mova's small model took its tests: it had read this lesson and the ones before it and learned from their exercises. Each test shows the options in the order the student saw them, its choice, the right answer, the score of every option and why it chose. The lesson itself, sentence by sentence with trees and pragmatics: the lesson in the corpora.

Every question of this lesson and each of its options parsed by Mova, with trees and pragmatics: the lesson's questions in the corpora.

Test 1 · right ✓

Max, a dog in Texas, is lying very still with his ears back and his tail tucked under. What is Max saying?

1. I am happy to see you — no support
2. I am scared, leave me alone — ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer · score 3
3. Please give me a big hug — no support
4. Come and play with me now — no support

Why: It took the question to ask what it is done to. It chose option 2 with score 3, the only option with support. Its support: lesson 21, line 6: «For example, a dog lying under a table with its ears back, licking its lips and showing the whites of its eyes is telling you: «Leave me alone.»», reached through the same lesson line as the sentence the question matched. What matched: the same action «leave» (+3); the same property (+1). Against it: a different thing acted on (counts against) (-1). · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 2 · wrong ✗

Which is true?

1. A dog's ears never show you how it is feeling — ← Mova's choice · no support
2. A wagging tail always means a friendly dog — no support
3. Only a growl can ever show a dog's feelings — no support
4. A dog can wag its tail and still be tense — ✓ the right answer · no support

Why: Nothing it remembers matched the question, so it guessed: it took the first option shown. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 3 · wrong ✗

A puppy drops its front legs to the floor, sticks its bottom up and wiggles. What does it want?

1. To jump up and bite you — ← Mova's choice · no support
2. To be left all alone — no support
3. To play with you — ✓ the right answer · no support
4. To go off to sleep — no support

Why: No option found support in what it remembers, so it guessed: it took the first option shown. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 4 · wrong ✗

A boy in Leeds hears his grandma's dog growl when he pulls its toy. What is the best thing to do?

1. Shout at the dog to be quiet — no support
2. Pull the toy harder so the dog knows you win — ← Mova's choice · score 4
3. Let go of the toy and move away calmly — ✓ the right answer · score 2
4. Hug the dog to say sorry — no support

Why: It took the question to ask what it is done to. It chose option 2 with score 4, against 2 for the next best. Its support: lesson 21, line 21: «Most dogs that bite children are dogs they know, at home or at a friend's house.», reached through the option's own match among the sentences about the question's things. What matched: the same action «know» (+2); the same doer «dogs» (+2). The right option, 3, scored 2. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 5 · wrong ✗

Which of these is a warning sign that a dog may bite?

1. Its body suddenly stiffens and goes still — ✓ the right answer · no support
2. Its body is loose and wiggly all over, like jelly — score 3
3. It rolls over to play — no support
4. It wags its tail with its whole bottom — ← Mova's choice · score 4

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 4 with score 4, against 3 for the next best. Its support: lesson 21, line 2: «A relaxed, friendly dog has a loose, wiggly body, a soft open mouth and a tail that wags in wide, easy sweeps.», reached through the option's own match among the sentences about the question's things. What matched: the same doer «relaxed friendly dog» (+2); the same thing acted on «loose wiggly body» (+2). The right option, 1, found no support in what it remembers. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 6 · wrong ✗

Two dogs meet in a park in Sydney. One has its tail held high and stiff, its body tense and its hair raised. How does it feel?

1. Calm and sleepy — ← Mova's choice · no support
2. Shy and wanting to hide — no support
3. Bored and uninterested — no support
4. Tense and ready for trouble — ✓ the right answer · no support

Why: No option found support in what it remembers, so it guessed: it took the first option shown. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 7 · right ✓

What can a dog do to show it is worried, apart from growling?

1. Wag its whole body and bounce about — no support
2. Lie on its back with a soft, relaxed and very happy face — score 7
3. Lick its lips, yawn or show the whites of its eyes — ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer · score 10
4. Run up with a loose, open mouth — no support

Why: It took the question to ask what is done. It chose option 3 with score 10, against 7 for the next best. Its support: lesson 21, line 6: «For example, a dog lying under a table with its ears back, licking its lips and showing the whites of its eyes is telling you: «Leave me alone.»», reached through the remembered sentence the question matched. What matched: it fills the role the question asks for (+5); the same thing acted on «whites» (+4); the same action «show» (+3). Against it: a different doer (counts against) (-2). · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 8 · wrong ✗

Why is it useful to watch a dog's whole body, not just its tail?

1. The tail alone can fool you about its mood — ✓ the right answer · no support
2. The body never changes when a dog feels scared — no support
3. Only the tail ever shows a dog's mood — no support
4. Dogs keep their tails still when they are angry — ← Mova's choice · score 5

Why: It took the question to ask why something happens (its cause). It chose option 4 with score 5, the only option with support. Its support: lesson 21, line 2: «A relaxed, friendly dog has a loose, wiggly body, a soft open mouth and a tail that wags in wide, easy sweeps.», reached through the option's own match among the sentences about the question's things. What matched: the same doer «relaxed friendly dog» (+3); the same thing acted on «loose wiggly body» (+2). The right option, 1, found no support in what it remembers. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 9 · right ✓

A girl in Ohio thinks: «Our dog knows me, so it will never bite me.» What is wrong with her idea?

1. Family dogs cannot feel scared or annoyed — score 1
2. Dogs never bite anyone they have met before, only strangers — score 1
3. Only very large dogs ever bite people — score 4
4. Most bites come from dogs children already know — ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer · score 12

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 4 with score 12, against 4 for the next best. Its support: lesson 21, line 19: «Most dog bites happen with dogs the child already knows, often their own family dog; even a friendly dog may bite when it is scared, hurt or annoyed.», reached through the same lesson line as the sentence the question matched. What matched: the same thing acted on «dogs» (+5); the same doer «child» (+4); the same action «know» (+3). · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 10 · wrong ✗

dog's wagging, so he's friendly yeah?

1. Yes, unless it's barking its head off — no support
2. Yes, as long as the tail is held high — no support
3. Yes, wagging always means it's friendly — ← Mova's choice · score -1
4. Not always, look at the whole body — ✓ the right answer · no support

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 3 with score -1, the only option with support. Its support: lesson 21, line 4: «A wagging tail does not always mean a happy dog; a stiff, high tail that flicks fast can mean the dog is tense and ready to act.», reached through the option's own match among the sentences about the question's things. What matched: the same action «mean» (+2); the same property (+1). Against it: a different doer (counts against) (-1); one says «not», the other does not (counts against) (-3). The right option, 4, found no support in what it remembers. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 11 · right ✓

dog went all stiff n froze when i got near

1. Run off quickly — no support
2. Hug it, it is scared — no support
3. Back away, a bite may come next — ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer · score 9
4. Pat it gently to calm it down — no support

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 3 with score 9, the only option with support. Its support: lesson 21, line 11: «A stiff body that suddenly freezes is a warning sign that a bite may come next.», reached through the same lesson line as the sentence the question matched. What matched: the same doer «bite» (+4); the same action «come» (+3); the same property (+2). · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 12 · wrong ✗

dog did that bum in the air front legs down thing

1. It is about to bite — ← Mova's choice · no support
2. It is very tired out — no support
3. It is hurt somewhere — no support
4. It wants to play — ✓ the right answer · no support

Why: No option found support in what it remembers, so it guessed: it took the first option shown. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 13 · right ✓

our own dog won't bite me tho

1. Most bites come from dogs kids know — ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer · score 7
2. Family dogs never bite — score 1
3. Only big dogs bite — score 4
4. Only strange dogs bite, never your own — score 4

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 1 with score 7, against 4 for the next best. Its support: lesson 21, line 19: «Most dog bites happen with dogs the child already knows, often their own family dog; even a friendly dog may bite when it is scared, hurt or annoyed.», reached through the same lesson line as the sentence the question matched. What matched: the same doer «most dog bites» (+4); the same circumstance (+2); a different action (counts against) (+1). · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 14 · wrong ✗

dog's gone stiff and is showing the whites of its eyes, still wanna pat him

1. Pat him faster to calm him — ← Mova's choice · no support
2. Look straight in his eyes — no support
3. Hug him so he feels safe — no support
4. Stop and step back slowly, he may bite — ✓ the right answer · no support

Why: No option found support in what it remembers, so it guessed: it took the first option shown. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 15 · wrong ✗

grandma's dog bit my cousin, but he's always been nice??

1. He must be a bad dog now — ← Mova's choice · score 10
2. Even friendly dogs bite when scared or hurt — ✓ the right answer · score 4
3. Dogs only bite people they do not know — score 4
4. He was only trying to play — no support

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 1 with score 10, against 4 for the next best. Its support: lesson 21, line 21: «Most dogs that bite children are dogs they know, at home or at a friend's house.», reached through the same lesson line as the sentence the question matched. What matched: the same thing acted on «dogs» (+5); the same doer «most dogs» (+4); the same light verb (be, have, do, get, go) (+1). The right option, 2, scored 4. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 16 · right ✓

dog growled when i went near his food, whats that mean

1. He wants you to share it — no support
2. He is saying hello — score 4
3. He is hungry and wants you to give him more food — no support
4. Leave him alone, he is warning you to back off — ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer · score 7

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 4 with score 7, against 4 for the next best. Its support: lesson 12, line 14: «A dog that growls, shows its teeth or goes stiff is warning you to stay away.», reached through the same lesson line as the sentence the question matched. What matched: the same doer «dog» (+4); the same action «warn» (+3). · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 17 · wrong ✗

did u hear the Smiths' dog bit a kid even tho it was wagging its tail the whole time, mental

1. It means only the dog's face shows its feelings — score 3
2. Real lesson: dogs that wag never bite, so the story is false — score 1
3. Real lesson: a stiff, high wagging tail can mean tension, so read the whole body — ✓ the right answer · no support
4. It proves every dog with a tail bites — ← Mova's choice · score 4

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 4 with score 4, against 3 for the next best. Its support: lesson 21, line 9: «Dogs show their feelings with their whole body, not only with their tail.», reached through the option's own match among the sentences about the question's things. What matched: the same action «show» (+2); the same doer «dogs» (+2). The right option, 3, found no support in what it remembers. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 18 · right ✓

my mate says if a dog yawns it's just bored and u can cuddle it

1. Not quite; a yawn when not tired can mean the dog is worried, so give it space — ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer · no support
2. He is right, a yawning dog wants a cuddle — no support
3. He is right, yawning dogs are always sleepy — no support
4. He is right, yawning means it is about to play and wants you to join in the game — no support

Why: No option found support in what it remembers, so it guessed: it took the first option shown. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 19 · right ✓

they're saying the new kid's dog is vicious and he trains it to attack, pass it round

1. Do not pass it round; it is likely a rumour and could hurt him and his family — ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer · no support
2. Pass it round, and say the dog has bitten before — no support
3. Pass it round, so nobody goes near his house — no support
4. Pass it round, because dogs are always dangerous — no support

Why: No option found support in what it remembers, so it guessed: it took the first option shown. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Exam question 1 · formal language · wrong ✗

Which of the following statements most accurately characterises the significance of a dog's body becoming stiff and suddenly motionless?

1. It signifies that the dog is about to sleep — ← Mova's choice · no support
2. It signifies an invitation to play — no support
3. It indicates that the dog wishes to be stroked at once — no support
4. It constitutes a warning that a bite may follow — ✓ the right answer · no support

Why: No option found support in what it remembers, so it guessed: it took the first option shown. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Exam question 2 · formal language · right ✓

Identify the meaning ordinarily conveyed by a tail held tucked between the hind legs.

1. That the dog is about to fetch a ball — no support
2. That the dog is hungry — no support
3. That the dog is relaxed and friendly — no support
4. That the dog is frightened — ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer · score 8

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 4 with score 8, the only option with support. Its support: lesson 21, line 12: «A tail tucked between the back legs usually means the dog is frightened.», reached through the same lesson line as the sentence the question matched. What matched: the same thing acted on «dog» (+5); the same action «frighten» (+3). · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Exam question 3 · formal language · wrong ✗

Select the response that is consistent with the established facts concerning the play bow.

1. The dog lies flat upon its back as a sign of anger — ← Mova's choice · no support
2. The dog shows the whites of its eyes as a greeting — no support
3. The dog raises its tail stiffly as a warning — no support
4. The front legs are lowered and the hindquarters raised, constituting an invitation to play — ✓ the right answer · no support

Why: Nothing it remembers matched the question, so it guessed: it took the first option shown. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Exam question 4 · formal language · wrong ✗

It is given that a dog's hair stands erect along its back. Determine the most probable meaning thereof.

1. That the dog is entirely calm and contented — ← Mova's choice · no support
2. That the dog is upset, frightened or highly excited — ✓ the right answer · no support
3. That the dog wishes to be fed immediately — no support
4. That the dog is cold and requires a blanket at once — no support

Why: No option found support in what it remembers, so it guessed: it took the first option shown. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

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