The Panama Canal, a really famous waterway in the Americas, is having a big problem with not having enough water. Unlike the Suez Canal, which gets water from the sea, the Panama Canal gets its water from Lake Gatún. But because it hasn’t been raining enough and because of something called El Nino, the water level in the lake is getting dangerously low. This means that they have to use less water and make ships lighter when they go through the canal, which is affecting trade all around the world. The people in charge of the canal are working on projects to make sure this doesn’t happen again, like saving water and building reservoirs. But these projects need to be approved and will take a few years to finish. They’re also thinking about using machines to make saltwater into freshwater and trying to make it rain more. This shows how climate change can really mess up trade and the future of the Panama Canal.

Original news source: Can the Panama Canal save itself? (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary

Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, ask each group to write a summary of the article in 3-4 sentences. Afterward, have each group share their summary with the rest of the class.

– Opinion Poll

Instructions: Ask the class to form pairs or small groups. Tell them to discuss their opinions on the issue presented in the article: the water shortage in the Panama Canal. Provide guiding questions such as “What do you think about the impact of climate change on trade?” or “What solutions do you think would be effective in solving the water shortage problem?” After a few minutes, have each group share their opinions with the rest of the class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary

Instructions: Write down key vocabulary words from the article on separate pieces of paper. Distribute the papers randomly among the students. Ask one student to pick a word and draw a picture representation of it on the board or a piece of paper. The rest of the class should try to guess the word. The student who guesses correctly gets to draw the next word.

– Pros and Cons

Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group the task of listing the pros (advantages) of the Panama Canal’s situation (e.g., increased awareness of climate change, potential for innovative solutions). Assign the other group the task of listing the cons (disadvantages) of the situation (e.g., negative impact on trade, potential economic losses). After a few minutes, have each group share their lists with the rest of the class.

– Future Predictions

Instructions: Ask the students to imagine themselves in the future, around 10 years from now. Tell them to write a short paragraph predicting the state of the Panama Canal and its water shortage problem. They should consider factors such as climate change, technological advancements, and global trade. Afterward, have a few students share their predictions with the class.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Why is the Panama Canal having a problem with not having enough water?
2. How does the Panama Canal get its water?
3. What is causing the water level in Lake Gatún to get dangerously low?
4. How does the low water level in the lake affect the ships going through the canal?
5. What are the people in charge of the canal doing to prevent this problem from happening again?
6. How long will it take for the projects to save water and build reservoirs to be finished?
7. What are the people in charge of the canal thinking about doing to solve the water problem?
8. How does the situation with the Panama Canal show the impact of climate change on trade and the future of the canal?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The Panama (1)______, a really (2)______ (3)______way in the (4)______, is having a big problem with not having enough water. Unlike the Suez Canal, which gets water from the sea, the Panama Canal gets its water from Lake Gatún. But because it hasn’t been (5)______ enough and because of something (6)______ El Nino, the water (7)______ in the lake is getting dangerously low. This (8)______ that they have to use less water and make ships lighter when they go through the canal, which is (9)______ trade all around the world. The (10)______ in charge of the canal are working on projects to make sure this doesn’t (11)______ again, like (12)______ water and building reservoirs. But these projects need to be approved and will take a few years to (13)______. They’re also thinking about using (14)______ to make saltwater into freshwater and trying to make it rain more. This shows how climate (15)______ can really mess up trade and the (16)______ of the Panama Canal.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is the Panama Canal and why is it famous?
2. How would you feel if you had to use less water and make ships lighter when going through the canal?
3. Do you think it is important to find a solution to the water problem in the Panama Canal? Why or why not?
4. What do you think are some possible solutions to the water problem in the canal?
5. How do you think climate change can affect trade and the future of the Panama Canal?
6. Do you like the idea of using machines to make saltwater into freshwater? Why or why not?
7. How do you think the low water level in the lake is affecting trade all around the world?
8. Have you ever experienced a water shortage in your area? How did it affect you?
9. What are some ways we can save water in our daily lives?
10. Do you think building reservoirs is a good solution to the water problem in the Panama Canal? Why or why not?
11. How do you think the people in charge of the canal can encourage people to use less water?
12. Have you ever visited a canal or a waterway? What was your experience like?
13. What are some other famous waterways around the world?
14. How do you think the projects to save water in the Panama Canal will impact the environment?
15. Do you think it is possible to make it rain more? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. Canal
2. Reservoirs
3. Trade
4. Climate
5. Projects
6. Freshwater
7. Saltwater
8. Reservoirs
9. El Nino
10. Affecting
11. Approved
12. Machines
13. Rain
14. Waterway
15. Sea

Meanings:
(A) Officially agreed upon or given permission
(B) Large lakes used to store water
(C) Planned tasks or activities that are meant to achieve a goal
(D) Water that is clean and safe to drink
(E) Water that falls from the clouds to the ground
(F) Water from the ocean, which is salty and not drinkable without treatment
(G) Having an impact or influence on something
(H) A man-made river used for transportation or irrigation
(I) The buying and selling of goods and services between countries
(J) A weather pattern that can cause changes in rainfall and temperatures around the world
(K) A route through which boats and ships can travel
(L) Artificial lakes that hold water for public use
(M) The weather conditions that are typical of a certain area over a long period
(N) Devices or tools designed to perform a specific task
(O) The vast body of salt water that covers almost three-quarters of the earth’s surface
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Where does the Panama Canal get its water from?
(a) The sea
(b) The Suez Canal
(c) The Atlantic Ocean
(d) Lake Gatún

2. Why is the water level in Lake Gatún getting dangerously low?
(a) There is too much water in the lake
(b) El Nino is causing flooding
(c) It hasn’t been raining enough
(d) The Suez Canal is taking water from the lake

3. How is the low water level in the Panama Canal affecting trade?
(a) Ships have to be lighter
(b) Ships cannot pass through the canal
(c) Trade is increasing
(d) The Suez Canal is taking over trade

4. What are the people in charge of the canal doing to prevent this problem in the future?
(a) Closing the canal permanently
(b) Saving water and building reservoirs
(c) Ignoring the problem
(d) Waiting for more rain

5. How long will it take for the projects to prevent this problem to be finished?
(a) A few months
(b) A few years
(c) A few weeks
(d) It is uncertain

6. What is one method the people in charge of the canal are considering to increase freshwater supply?
(a) Building more canals
(b) Importing water from other countries
(c) Closing the canal temporarily
(d) Using machines to make saltwater into freshwater

7. What is the main cause of the water shortage in the Panama Canal?
(a) Climate change
(b) Overuse of water by ships
(c) Lack of maintenance
(d) Pollution in Lake Gatún

8. What is the main message of this article?
(a) The Panama Canal is the most important waterway in the world
(b) The Suez Canal is better than the Panama Canal
(c) Climate change can affect trade and infrastructure
(d) The Panama Canal will never recover from this water shortage

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The Panama Canal is experiencing a serious issue with water shortage.
2. Similar to the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal depends on water from Lake Gatún.
3. The water level in Lake Gatún is dangerously low due to insufficient rainfall and El Nino.
4. The approval and completion of these projects will take a few years.
5. The impact of climate change on the Panama Canal minimizes the potential disruption to trade and its future.
6. The surplus of water is causing ships to be heavier and enhancing global trade.
7. The possibility of using machines to convert saltwater into freshwater is not being considered.
8. Measures are being taken to prevent this problem from happening again, such as water conservation and building reservoirs.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the problem that the Panama Canal is currently facing?
2. How does the Panama Canal get its water?
3. Why is the water level in Lake Gatún getting dangerously low?
4. How is the low water level affecting trade around the world?
5. What are some projects that the people in charge of the canal are working on to solve the problem?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Why is the Panama Canal having a problem with not having enough water?
– The Panama Canal is having a problem with not having enough water because it hasn’t been raining enough and because of something called El Nino.

2. How does the Panama Canal get its water?
– The Panama Canal gets its water from Lake Gatún.

3. What is causing the water level in Lake Gatún to get dangerously low?
– The water level in Lake Gatún is getting dangerously low because it hasn’t been raining enough and because of El Nino.

4. How does the low water level in the lake affect the ships going through the canal?
– The low water level in the lake affects the ships going through the canal because they have to use less water and make the ships lighter.

5. What are the people in charge of the canal doing to prevent this problem from happening again?
– The people in charge of the canal are working on projects to prevent this problem from happening again, such as saving water and building reservoirs.

6. How long will it take for the projects to save water and build reservoirs to be finished?
– The projects to save water and build reservoirs will take a few years to be finished.

7. What are the people in charge of the canal thinking about doing to solve the water problem?
– The people in charge of the canal are thinking about using machines to make saltwater into freshwater and trying to make it rain more to solve the water problem.

8. How does the situation with the Panama Canal show the impact of climate change on trade and the future of the canal?
– The situation with the Panama Canal shows the impact of climate change on trade and the future of the canal because it is affecting trade all around the world and the people in charge of the canal are working on long-term projects to prevent this problem from happening again.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Canal
(2) famous
(3) water
(4) Americas
(5) raining
(6) called
(7) level
(8) means
(9) affecting
(10) people
(11) happen
(12) saving
(13) finish
(14) machines
(15) change
(16) future
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. Canal
Answer: (H) A man-made river used for transportation or irrigation

2. Reservoirs
Answer: (B) Large lakes used to store water

3. Trade
Answer: (I) The buying and selling of goods and services between countries

4. Climate
Answer: (M) The weather conditions that are typical of a certain area over a long period

5. Projects
Answer: (C) Planned tasks or activities that are meant to achieve a goal

6. Freshwater
Answer: (D) Water that is clean and safe to drink

7. Saltwater
Answer: (F) Water from the ocean, which is salty and not drinkable without treatment

8. Reservoirs
Answer: (L) Artificial lakes that hold water for public use

9. El Nino
Answer: (J) A weather pattern that can cause changes in rainfall and temperatures around the world

10. Affecting
Answer: (G) Having an impact or influence on something

11. Approved
Answer: (A) Officially agreed upon or given permission

12. Machines
Answer: (N) Devices or tools designed to perform a specific task

13. Rain
Answer: (E) Water that falls from the clouds to the ground

14. Waterway
Answer: (K) A route through which boats and ships can travel

15. Sea
Answer: (O) The vast body of salt water that covers almost three-quarters of the earth’s surface
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Where does the Panama Canal get its water from?
Answer: (d) Lake Gatún

2. Why is the water level in Lake Gatún getting dangerously low?
Answer: (c) It hasn’t been raining enough

3. How is the low water level in the Panama Canal affecting trade?
Answer: (a) Ships have to be lighter

4. What are the people in charge of the canal doing to prevent this problem in the future?
Answer: (b) Saving water and building reservoirs

5. How long will it take for the projects to prevent this problem to be finished?
Answer: (b) A few years

6. What is one method the people in charge of the canal are considering to increase freshwater supply?
Answer: (d) Using machines to make saltwater into freshwater

7. What is the main cause of the water shortage in the Panama Canal?
Answer: (a) Climate change

8. What is the main message of this article?
Answer: (c) Climate change can affect trade and infrastructure
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The Panama Canal is experiencing a serious issue with water shortage. (Answer: True)
2. Similar to the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal depends on water from Lake Gatún. (Answer: False)
3. The water level in Lake Gatún is dangerously low due to insufficient rainfall and El Nino. (Answer: True)
4. The approval and completion of these projects will take a few years. (Answer: True)
5. The impact of climate change on the Panama Canal minimizes the potential disruption to trade and its future. (Answer: False)
6. The surplus of water is causing ships to be heavier and enhancing global trade. (Answer: False)
7. The possibility of using machines to convert saltwater into freshwater is not being considered. (Answer: False)
8. Measures are being taken to prevent this problem from happening again, such as water conservation and building reservoirs. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧