Bolder brown bears roam freely in Sapporo’s urban areas

admin 2023年11月22日

Beginner

Japan News, japan news - beginner

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。

Have you seen bears in person?
Have you ever witnessed wildlife in its natural habitat?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。

bold /bohld/

[adjective] – displaying a willingness to take risks or to be more daring; showing a lack of fear or hesitation
The deer in the neighborhood used to be timid, but now they’re displaying bolder behavior, approaching houses and gardens without much hesitation.

increase /IN-krees/

[noun] – a rise or growth in quantity, size, or degree
The increase in demand for renewable energy sources has led to a surge in investments in solar and wind power technologies.

wildlife /WAHYLD-lahyf/

[noun] – all the animals living in their natural environment, including both vertebrates and invertebrates, plants, fungi, and other organisms
Conservation efforts aim to protect a diverse range of wildlife species and their habitats around the world.

behave /bih-HEYV/

[verb] – to conduct oneself in a particular manner; to act or function in a specified way
The zookeepers observed how the animals behaved in their new enclosure to ensure they were comfortable and content.

require /ri-KWAHYUHR/

[verb] – to need something because it is essential or necessary; to demand or necessitate
Completing this project will require a team effort and careful coordination among all departments involved.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。

In Sapporo, Japan, brown bears are acting in a concerning way by coming closer to the city. They used to be more careful around people, but now they’re showing bolder behavior. In the last decade, there have been more and more reports of bears in different parts of Sapporo. This change in their behavior is because there are fewer farmers and hunters and more older people in the area. This is making bears move nearer to where people live, which is a big problem for the city and is worrying for both humans and bears.

Until the end of July 2023, there were 113 bear sightings in Sapporo, the highest in ten years for such a short time. This increase shows the need for more awareness and possible actions to help both humans and bears live together safely. It highlights the importance of understanding and adapting to how wildlife behaves in cities. In this changing situation, finding a balance between human and bear safety requires careful planning and intervention to ensure peaceful coexistence in Sapporo’s shared spaces.

True or False:

Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.

文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。

Brown bears in Sapporo have become more cautious around humans in recent times.
The change in bear behavior is attributed to a decrease in the number of farmers and hunters in the area.
The increase in bear sightings is primarily due to an influx of farmers and hunters in the area.
Understanding and adapting to wildlife behavior in urban areas is crucial for ensuring peaceful coexistence.
There is no need for additional awareness or actions to facilitate coexistence between humans and bears in Sapporo.

Fill in the blanks:

Choose the correct word from the table then fill in the blanks.

適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。

bold

increase

wildlife

behave

require

Reading glasses may __________ a prescription from an eye doctor.
The children were asked to __________ well during the school assembly.
After years of quiet research, the scientist made a __________ move by presenting their groundbreaking findings to the international conference.
The national park is home to a rich array of __________, from majestic eagles soaring in the sky to tiny insects bustling in the underbrush.
The recent __________ in online shopping has transformed the retail industry, prompting traditional stores to adapt to new consumer behaviors.