Animals & Environment
Wild Black Bear Caught in Japanese City
16 Jun 2026
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Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Think Ahead:
Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) A bear climbs up a tall city tree
b) A bear walks around a Japanese city
c) A bear runs into a busy toy shop
Ask:
(1) Do you like wild animals?
(2) What should you do if you see a big animal on the street?
VOCABULARY
bear (n)
city (n)
close (v)
safe (adj)
street (n)
school (n)
a large wild animal with thick fur
a very large town where many people live
to stop opening or operating something
not in danger or likely to be hurt
a road in a town or city with houses on it
a place where children go to learn
A wild black bear walked around a large city in Japan. For four days, local people saw the big animal in many places. It walked near family houses, green parks, and quiet streets. City leaders wanted to keep everyone safe from danger. Because of this, they decided to close all ninety-four primary and middle schools. Children stayed at home with their parents. Many police officers and local hunters searched for the animal.
Finally, they found the black bear at a private house. A special doctor used a tranquiliser gun to make the bear sleep safely. Then, the team put the heavy animal into a large cage on a truck. Local families are now very happy and relieved. The streets are safe again, and children can go back to school tomorrow. The dangerous bear adventure is finished.
Listen
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. How would you feel if a wild bear walked on your street?
2. Do you think it was a good idea to close the schools?
3. What is your favourite wild animal?
4. Would you like to work as a helper who protects wild animals?
5. Why do you think the bear came into the big city?
6. How can people stay safe from large animals?
FILL IN THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: bear, city, close, streets
A wild black _______(1) walked around a large _______(2) in Japan. For four days, local people saw the big animal in many places. It walked near family houses, green parks, and quiet _______(4). City leaders wanted to keep everyone safe from danger. Because of this, they decided to _______(3) all ninety-four primary and middle schools. Children stayed at home with their parents. Many police officers and local hunters searched for the animal.
Finally, they found the black bear at a private house. A special doctor used a tranquiliser gun to make the bear sleep safely. Then, the team put the heavy animal into a large cage on a truck. Local families are now very happy and relieved. The streets are safe again, and children can go back to school tomorrow. The dangerous bear adventure is finished.
Section 2: Main Idea
Choose the best summary of the story.
a) A black bear is caught in a Japanese city after causing school closures.
b) Children in Japan learn how to track wild animals in the forest.
c) A local zoo buys a new black bear for its animal exhibit.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
1. The black bear was seen in Japan for ten days. T/F
2. All ninety-four primary and middle schools were closed. T/F
3. The bear was caught at a private house. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put the following events in the correct order from 1 to 3.
a) A doctor used a tranquiliser gun to make the bear sleep.
b) The black bear walked around the city streets for four days.
c) City leaders closed ninety-four primary and middle schools.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. bear
2. city
3. close
4. safe
a) a large wild animal with thick fur
b) a very large town where many people live
c) to stop opening or operating something
d) not in danger or likely to be hurt
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
Choose the correct word to complete the conversation.
1. Ben: Did you see the wild _______ on the street yesterday? Amy: Yes, it was very big and scary!
a) bird b) bear c) fish
2. Amy: The city leaders decided to _______ our school for safety. Ben: I know, we had to stay home all day.
a) close b) open c) paint
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
Put the words in the correct order to make a sentence.
1. A) bear B) wild C) walked D) the E) around
2. A) schools B) closed C) they D) the E) municipal
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up
Answer: b
Section 1:
1. bear,
2. city,
3. close,
4. streets
Section 2:
Answer: a
Section 3:
1. False,
2. True,
3. True
Section 4:
1. b, 2. c, 3. a
Section 5:
1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d
Section 6:
1. b, 2. a
Section 7:
1. D-B-A-C-E,
2. C-B-D-E-A
Section 8:
Student's own answers.