Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Why do you think some animals might come into cities or towns?
- What do you think people should do if a wild animal comes near their home?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- encounter /en-KOUN-ter/
- incident /IN-si-duhnt/
- lottery /LOT-uh-ree/
- cub /kuhb/
- bait /beyt/
[noun] – unexpected or sudden meetings, often involving conflict or danger
There were several encounters between hikers and mountain lions in the park last year.
[noun] – an event, usually unexpected, that may be dangerous or cause concern
Several incidents of flooding were recorded after the heavy rain.
[noun] – a system of choosing people by random selection (not by order or skill)
The city uses a lottery system to choose who can buy discounted homes.
[noun] – the young of certain wild animals, such as bears, lions, or tigers
The lioness stayed close to her cubs to protect them from danger.
[noun] – food or other material used to attract animals (often to catch or hunt them)
The fisherman used worms as bait to catch trout.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Florida wildlife officials have approved a plan to restart black bear hunting. This would be the first hunt since 2015. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted 4–1 in favor during a public meeting in Ocala on May 21, 2025. The hunt is planned from December 6 to 28, 2025. Officials say the goal is to manage the growing bear population, which is now around 4,000. They believe the hunt will help lower the number of bear-human encounters, especially in areas where cities are growing. In Marion County alone, over 100 bear-related incidents were reported in the past nine months.
The FWC said this hunt will have stronger rules than the one in 2015, which ended early after more than 300 bears were killed in two days. This time, only 187 permits will be given by lottery. Each person may hunt just one bear, and it is not allowed to hunt cubs or mothers with cubs. Hunters can use dogs, bait on large private lands, and deer hunting methods. The plan has created strong opinions. Some experts support hunting to manage wildlife. Others say non-lethal options like better trash control work better and are kinder. About 13,000 public comments were sent in, with 75 percent against the hunt. A final decision will be made in August 2025.
The FWC said this hunt will have stronger rules than the one in 2015, which ended early after more than 300 bears were killed in two days. This time, only 187 permits will be given by lottery. Each person may hunt just one bear, and it is not allowed to hunt cubs or mothers with cubs. Hunters can use dogs, bait on large private lands, and deer hunting methods. The plan has created strong opinions. Some experts support hunting to manage wildlife. Others say non-lethal options like better trash control work better and are kinder. About 13,000 public comments were sent in, with 75 percent against the hunt. A final decision will be made in August 2025.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What plan did Florida officials approve?
- When is the new bear hunt planned to take place?
- Why do officials want to restart the bear hunt?
- How many hunting permits will be given this time?
- What do many people say is a better way than hunting to manage bears?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever visited a place where wild animals live, like a forest or mountain? If yes, what animals did you see? If not, would you like to go? Why or why not?
- Have you ever seen a bear in real life, maybe at a zoo or while traveling? If so, what was the experience like? If not, would you like to see one someday? Why or why not?
- Do you agree that better trash control is a good way to keep bears away from homes?
- Why do you think many people do not support the bear hunt?
- What rules would you make if you were in charge of keeping people and bears safe?