Animals & Environment
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23 Aug 2026
(Credit: Alamy)
The True Story of How Raccoons Came to Germany
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) Raccoons were brought to Germany from North America.
b) Raccoons flew to Germany on an aeroplane.
c) Raccoons were trained to work in German offices.
Ask:
(1) Have you ever seen a raccoon in real life or in a video?
(2) Why do you think raccoons are good at finding food?
VOCABULARY
Mask
/mɑːsk/
(noun)
Released
/rɪˈliːst/
(verb)
Wildlife
/ˈwaɪldlaɪf/
(noun)
Clever
/ˈklevə/
(adjective)
Dustbin
/ˈdʌstbɪn/
(noun)
Protect
/prəˈtekt/
(verb)
A covering for part or all of the face.
The raccoon has black fur around its eyes that looks like a mask.
Set free into the wild or a new area.
People released four raccoons into the German forest in 1934.
Animals and plants that live in natural conditions.
Forests in Germany have a lot of beautiful wildlife.
Quick at learning and understanding things.
The clever animal learned how to open the door.
A large container outside for rubbish.
The raccoons looked for food inside the garden dustbin.
To keep someone or something safe from harm.
Scientists want to protect rare birds in the forest.
Raccoons are small furry animals from North America. They have black fur around their eyes that looks like a mask. Today, many raccoons live in Germany.
In 1934, people brought four raccoons to a forest near Lake Edersee in Germany. The people released the animals into the wild. They wanted to add new wildlife to the forest. Later, other raccoons escaped from fur farms.
The raccoons liked their new home. Germany has many trees, fresh water, and plenty of food. Raccoons eat insects, fruit, eggs, and small fish. They are very clever and can open doors, boxes, and dustbins with their front paws.
Now, more than one million raccoons live across Germany. The city of Kassel has the most raccoons in Europe. Some local people think the animals are cute. However, other people do not like them because they climb into houses and make mess in gardens. Scientists are watching the raccoons carefully to protect other local animals.
Listen
Raccoons are not native to Europe, but now number in the millions (Credit: Getty Images)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Have you ever seen a raccoon in a book or a cartoon?
2. What do raccoons eat in the wild?
3. Why do some people in Germany like raccoons?
4. Why do other people dislike having raccoons near their homes?
5. How can people keep their outdoor rubbish safe from animals?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: clever, dustbins, released, wildlife
Raccoons are small furry animals from North America. They have black fur around their eyes that looks like a mask. Today, many raccoons live in Germany.
In 1934, people brought four raccoons to a forest near Lake Edersee in Germany. The people _______(1) the animals into the wild. They wanted to add new _______(2) to the forest. Later, other raccoons escaped from fur farms.
The raccoons liked their new home. Germany has many trees, fresh water, and plenty of food. Raccoons eat insects, fruit, eggs, and small fish. They are very _______(3) and can open doors, boxes, and _______(4) with their front paws.
Now, more than one million raccoons live across Germany. The city of Kassel has the most raccoons in Europe. Some local people think the animals are cute. However, other people do not like them because they climb into houses and make mess in gardens. Scientists are watching the raccoons carefully to protect other local animals.
Section 2: Main Idea
What is the main idea of this article?
a) Raccoons are dangerous animals that only live in North American zoos.
b) Raccoons came to Germany long ago and now live in many forests and towns.
c) Raccoons only eat fresh fruit and live in houses with human families.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
1. Raccoons originally came from North America. T/F
2. Four raccoons were released near Lake Edersee in 1934. T/F
3. Raccoons are not able to open boxes or dustbins. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put the following events in order from 1 to 3:
[ ] Other raccoons escaped from fur farms after World War II.
[ ] Four raccoons were released into the forest near Lake Edersee.
[ ] Kassel became known as the city with the most raccoons in Europe.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. Mask
2. Forest
3. Clever
4. Dustbin
5. Protect
a) To keep someone or something safe from harm.
b) Quick at learning and understanding things.
c) A large container outside for rubbish.
d) A covering for part or all of the face.
e) A large area of land covered with trees.
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
Fill in the gaps with the best option:
1. Raccoons are _______ animals that can open gates with their paws.
a) clever
b) slow
c) quiet
2. People put their rubbish inside a large _______ outside the house.
a) lake
b) dustbin
c) forest
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
Put the sentence parts in the correct order:
1. [A] are / [B] North America / [C] Raccoons / [D] from / [E] clever animals
2. [A] dustbins / [B] can open / [C] their paws/ [D] They / [E] with
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up Answer:
a) Raccoons were brought to Germany from North America.
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps Answers:
released
wildlife
clever
dustbins
Section 2: Main Idea Answer:
b) Raccoons came to Germany long ago and now live in many forests and towns.
Section 3: True or False Answers:
True
True
False
Section 4: Put Events in Order Answers:
[2] Other raccoons escaped from fur farms after World War II.
[1] Four raccoons were released into the forest near Lake Edersee.
[3] Kassel became known as the city with the most raccoons in Europe.
Section 5: Vocab Match Answers:
1 - d
2 - e
3 - b
4 - c
5 - a
Section 6: Discussion Builder Answers:
a) clever
b) dustbin
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble Answers:
(Raccoons are clever animals from North America.)
2. (They can open dustbins with their paws.)
Section 8: Discussion Questions Answers:
Answers will vary.
Thank you for your feedback!