kangaroo

Everyday

1. A kangaroo is a large Australian animal that hops on strong back legs, has a long thick tail, and carries its baby in a pouch. tree →
2. A kangaroo court is an unfair, unofficial trial. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons kangaroos are marsupials (mammals with pouches); a baby is called a joey. In geography they are a symbol of Australia. Phrases: «a baby kangaroo», «a mob of kangaroos», «kangaroo pouch».

Examples

• A kangaroo can hop very fast. tree →
• The baby kangaroo, or joey, lives in its mother's pouch. tree →
• We saw kangaroos in the bush in Australia. tree →
• Kangaroos use their tails for balance. tree →
• A group of kangaroos is called a mob. tree →
• Kangaroos cannot walk backwards easily. tree →
• The kangaroo is on Australia's coat of arms. tree →

Note

Countable; plural kangaroos. Stress on the end: kang-guh-ROO. Myth: the story that «kangaroo» means «I don't understand» is not true; it comes from a local Aboriginal word for the animal. Safety: big kangaroos can kick hard; keep away from wild ones.