There’s this big train project called the Tren Maya in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. It’s supposed to be really long, stretching for 1,500km, and it’s meant to bring more tourists and development to the area. But some people are worried about the impact it’s having on the environment. The construction of the train is causing deforestation and destroying habitats for animals like jaguars and spider monkeys. There’s also concern about how it might affect the freshwater ecosystems and the underground caves that are important to the ancient Maya people.

The Tren Maya project has faced a lot of problems and has ended up costing way more money than expected, around $28.5 billion. The president, Amlo, thinks it’s a really important project, but some people think it’s just a big ego trip for him. They’re worried that the train will damage the region’s natural resources, like the coral reefs and algae, which are already being hurt by pollution.

The construction of the Tren Maya has caused arguments within the communities in the area. Some people have been paid for their land, but others, like Maya farmer Benjamin Chim, have had their fields destroyed without getting any money. The train has really messed up the lives of a lot of Maya farmers who can’t prove that they own their land. People are worried that the train tracks might collapse because they were built on top of weak rock.

The director of the Tren Maya says that the train is safe and built to high standards. He thinks it’s a cool engineering project that will help Mexico’s train services and make the country better. The president wants the Tren Maya to be part of a bigger plan to improve Mexico’s train system and have a train line that goes from one coast to the other.

Even though the Tren Maya might bring more money and tourists to the Yucatán Peninsula, there are worries that it’s happening too fast and might harm the region’s special places and cultural heritage. This train project shows how people in Mexico are always debating between wanting to develop and wanting to protect the environment.

Original news source: Tren Maya: Mexico’s Yucatán mega train – world beating or environmental disaster? (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, have them write a summary of the article in their own words, focusing on the main points and key information. Afterward, have each group share their summary with the class and compare their answers.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Have each pair discuss their opinions on the Tren Maya project. Then, give them a list of statements related to the project, such as “The Tren Maya will benefit the local economy” or “The Tren Maya will harm the environment.” Have each pair rate their agreement with each statement on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being strongly disagree and 5 being strongly agree. Afterward, have a class discussion where pairs can share their opinions and explain their ratings.

– Sketch It
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Assign each group a specific aspect of the Tren Maya project, such as the construction process, environmental impact, or community concerns. Give them a few minutes to brainstorm and then ask them to create a sketch or diagram that represents their assigned aspect. Afterward, have each group present their sketch to the class and explain their ideas.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board, such as “deforestation,” “ecosystems,” “construction,” “heritage,” etc. Divide the class into teams and have one student from each team come to the front of the class. Give each student a vocabulary word from the list and ask them to draw a picture on the board to represent the word. The rest of their team must guess the word within a certain time limit. Repeat with different students and words until all the vocabulary words have been used.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups: one group representing the supporters of the Tren Maya project and the other group representing the opponents. Give each group some time to discuss and come up with a list of arguments to support their side. Then, have a debate where each group presents their arguments and tries to convince the other group of their viewpoint. Afterward, have a class discussion where students can share their thoughts and opinions on the project.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the purpose of the Tren Maya project in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula?
2. What environmental concerns are associated with the construction of the train?
3. Why has the Tren Maya project faced problems and ended up costing more money than expected?
4. How do some people view the president’s involvement in the Tren Maya project?
5. How has the construction of the train affected the lives of Maya farmers?
6. What concerns are there about the stability of the train tracks?
7. What is the director’s opinion of the Tren Maya project?
8. What are the conflicting views regarding the impact of the Tren Maya project on the region’s special places and cultural heritage?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

There’s this big train project called the Tren Maya in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. It’s supposed to be really long, stretching for 1,500km, and it’s meant to (1)______ more (2)______ and development to the area. But some people are worried about the (3)______ it’s having on the environment. The construction of the train is causing deforestation and destroying habitats for animals like jaguars and (4)______ monkeys. There’s also concern about how it might affect the freshwater ecosystems and the underground caves that are important to the ancient Maya people.

The Tren Maya project has faced a lot of problems and has (5)______ up costing way more money than expected, around $28.5 billion. The president, Amlo, (6)______s it’s a really important project, but some people think it’s just a big ego trip for him. They’re worried that the (7)______ will damage the region’s natural resources, like the coral reefs and (8)______, which are already being hurt by pollution.

The construction of the Tren Maya has caused arguments within the communities in the area. Some people have been paid for their land, but others, like Maya (9)______ Benjamin Chim, have had their fields (10)______ without getting any money. The train has really (11)______ up the lives of a lot of Maya farmers who can’t prove that they own their land. People are worried that the train (12)______ might collapse because they were built on top of weak rock.

The director of the Tren Maya says that the train is safe and built to high standards. He thinks it’s a cool engineering project that will help Mexico’s train services and make the country better. The president wants the Tren Maya to be part of a bigger plan to improve Mexico’s train system and have a train line that goes from one coast to the other.

Even though the Tren Maya might bring more money and tourists to the Yucatán Peninsula, there are worries that it’s happening too fast and might harm the region’s special places and cultural heritage. This train project shows how people in Mexico are always (13)______ between (14)______ to (15)______ and wanting to (16)______ the environment.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the Tren Maya and what is its purpose?
2. How would you feel if a train project like the Tren Maya was being built in your hometown?
3. Do you think it is important to prioritize economic development over environmental conservation? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about the concerns regarding the impact of the Tren Maya on the environment and wildlife?
5. How do you think the construction of the Tren Maya has affected the lives of the Maya farmers?
6. Do you think it is fair for some people to be paid for their land while others receive nothing in return? Why or why not?
7. What do you think about the concerns regarding the stability of the train tracks?
8. How do you feel about the director’s opinion that the Tren Maya is a cool engineering project that will benefit Mexico?
9. Do you think it is necessary to improve Mexico’s train system? Why or why not?
10. How do you think the Tren Maya might impact the region’s special places and cultural heritage?
11. What are your thoughts on the ongoing debate between development and environmental protection in Mexico?
12. How would you balance the need for economic growth and the need to protect the environment?
13. Do you think the Tren Maya project is worth the cost of $28.5 billion? Why or why not?
14. How do you think the Tren Maya will affect tourism in the Yucatán Peninsula?
15. What do you think should be done to address the concerns and conflicts surrounding the Tren Maya project?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. Peninsula
2. Deforestation
3. Habitats
4. Ecosystems
5. Archaeological
6. Resources
7. Pollution
8. Compensation
9. Prove
10. Collapse
11. Engineering
12. Heritage
13. Debating
14. Development
15. Protect

Meanings:
(A) A piece of land that is surrounded by water on three sides
(B) Communities of living organisms and their surroundings
(C) Related to ancient cultures and their remains
(D) To keep someone or something safe from harm or damage
(E) Supplies or materials that can be used
(F) Contaminants that can harm the air, water, or land
(G) The natural environments where animals and plants live
(H) To fall down suddenly because of pressure or weakness
(I) Traditions and features from the past that are important to a culture or group
(J) The process of growing or improving an area, especially by building
(K) The science and work of designing and building things
(L) Money given to someone for loss or suffering
(M) Show that something is true or belongs to someone
(N) The act of cutting down or burning the trees in an area
(O) Discussing or arguing about a subject
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the purpose of the Tren Maya project?
(a) To protect the environment and wildlife in the area
(b) To improve Mexico’s train system nationwide
(c) To bring more tourists and development to the Yucatán Peninsula
(d) To preserve the cultural heritage of the ancient Maya people

2. What is one concern about the construction of the Tren Maya?
(a) Increased pollution in the Yucatán Peninsula
(b) Damage to the coral reefs and algae in the region
(c) Collapse of the train tracks due to weak rock
(d) Deforestation and destruction of animal habitats

3. How much money has the Tren Maya project cost so far?
(a) $1 million
(b) $100,000
(c) $10 billion
(d) $28.5 billion

4. What is one criticism of the Tren Maya project?
(a) It is not being built to high safety standards
(b) It will not bring any economic benefits to the region
(c) Some people believe it is a vanity project for the president
(d) The train tracks were not built on top of weak rock

5. How has the Tren Maya project affected Maya farmers?
(a) Some farmers have been paid for their land, while others have not
(b) The project has improved the livelihoods of all Maya farmers in the area
(c) Maya farmers have been given alternative land to continue farming
(d) The train tracks have destroyed the fields of all Maya farmers

6. What is the director of the Tren Maya’s opinion on the project?
(a) He thinks the project is a waste of money and resources
(b) He believes the train is safe and built to high standards
(c) He is concerned about the impact on the environment and wildlife
(d) He believes the train will not bring any benefits to Mexico’s train system

7. What is one potential benefit of the Tren Maya project?
(a) Preservation of the region’s natural resources and cultural heritage
(b) Increased tourism and economic growth in the Yucatán Peninsula
(c) Improved train services throughout Mexico
(d) Protection of the environment and wildlife in the area

8. What does the Tren Maya project highlight about Mexico?
(a) The ongoing debate between development and environmental protection
(b) The lack of infrastructure and transportation options in the country
(c) The government’s disregard for the concerns of local communities
(d) The importance of preserving the cultural heritage of the ancient Maya people

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The Tren Maya is a large train project in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula that aims to bring more tourists and development to the area.
2. The project has encountered minimal issues and has not resulted in excessive costs compared to the initial estimation, approximately $28.5 billion.
3. Concerns have been raised about the stability of the train tracks, as they were built on top of weak rock.
4. The train’s impact on the region’s natural resources, such as coral reefs and algae, is not a concern despite existing pollution.
5. The construction of the train has not caused any disputes within the local communities, with everyone being fairly compensated for their land.
6. The president sees the Tren Maya as part of a larger plan to improve Mexico’s train system and create a coast-to-coast train line.
7. Concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of the train’s construction, including deforestation and destruction of habitats for animals like jaguars and spider monkeys.
8. Most people agree that the Tren Maya is crucial for the region and not just an indulgence for the president, Amlo.
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 purpose of the Tren Maya project in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula?
2. What are some of the environmental concerns associated with the construction of the train?
3. Why has the Tren Maya project faced problems and ended up costing more money than expected?
4. How has the construction of the train affected the lives of Maya farmers in the area?
5. What are the conflicting opinions about the Tren Maya project and its impact on the region?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the purpose of the Tren Maya project in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula?
The purpose of the Tren Maya project is to bring more tourists and development to the area.

2. What environmental concerns are associated with the construction of the train?
The construction of the train is causing deforestation, destroying habitats for animals like jaguars and spider monkeys, and there are concerns about its impact on freshwater ecosystems and underground caves important to the ancient Maya people.

3. Why has the Tren Maya project faced problems and ended up costing more money than expected?
The Tren Maya project has faced problems and ended up costing more money than expected due to various issues and challenges during its construction.

4. How do some people view the president’s involvement in the Tren Maya project?
Some people view the president’s involvement in the Tren Maya project as a big ego trip for him.

5. How has the construction of the train affected the lives of Maya farmers?
The construction of the train has affected the lives of Maya farmers by destroying their fields without compensation, especially for those who cannot prove ownership of their land.

6. What concerns are there about the stability of the train tracks?
There are concerns that the train tracks might collapse because they were built on top of weak rock.

7. What is the director’s opinion of the Tren Maya project?
The director of the Tren Maya project thinks it is a cool engineering project that will help improve Mexico’s train services and make the country better.

8. What are the conflicting views regarding the impact of the Tren Maya project on the region’s special places and cultural heritage?
There are conflicting views regarding the impact of the Tren Maya project on the region’s special places and cultural heritage, with some believing it might harm these aspects due to its fast pace of construction, while others believe it will bring more money and tourists to the area.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) bring
(2) tourists
(3) impact
(4) spider
(5) ended
(6) think
(7) train
(8) algae
(9) farmer
(10) destroyed
(11) messed
(12) tracks
(13) debating
(14) wanting
(15) develop
(16) protect
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. Peninsula
Answer: (A) A piece of land that is surrounded by water on three sides

2. Deforestation
Answer: (N) The act of cutting down or burning the trees in an area

3. Habitats
Answer: (G) The natural environments where animals and plants live

4. Ecosystems
Answer: (B) Communities of living organisms and their surroundings

5. Archaeological
Answer: (C) Related to ancient cultures and their remains

6. Resources
Answer: (E) Supplies or materials that can be used

7. Pollution
Answer: (F) Contaminants that can harm the air, water, or land

8. Compensation
Answer: (L) Money given to someone for loss or suffering

9. Prove
Answer: (M) Show that something is true or belongs to someone

10. Collapse
Answer: (H) To fall down suddenly because of pressure or weakness

11. Engineering
Answer: (K) The science and work of designing and building things

12. Heritage
Answer: (I) Traditions and features from the past that are important to a culture or group

13. Debating
Answer: (O) Discussing or arguing about a subject

14. Development
Answer: (J) The process of growing or improving an area, especially by building

15. Protect
Answer: (D) To keep someone or something safe from harm or damage
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the purpose of the Tren Maya project?
Answer: (c) To bring more tourists and development to the Yucatán Peninsula

2. What is one concern about the construction of the Tren Maya?
Answer: (d) Deforestation and destruction of animal habitats

3. How much money has the Tren Maya project cost so far?
Answer: (d) $28.5 billion

4. What is one criticism of the Tren Maya project?
Answer: (c) Some people believe it is a vanity project for the president

5. How has the Tren Maya project affected Maya farmers?
Answer: (a) Some farmers have been paid for their land, while others have not

6. What is the director of the Tren Maya’s opinion on the project?
Answer: (b) He believes the train is safe and built to high standards

7. What is one potential benefit of the Tren Maya project?
Answer: (b) Increased tourism and economic growth in the Yucatán Peninsula

8. What does the Tren Maya project highlight about Mexico?
Answer: (a) The ongoing debate between development and environmental protection
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The Tren Maya is a large train project in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula that aims to bring more tourists and development to the area. (Answer: True)
2. The project has encountered minimal issues and has not resulted in excessive costs compared to the initial estimation, approximately $28.5 billion. (Answer: False)
3. Concerns have been raised about the stability of the train tracks, as they were built on top of weak rock. (Answer: True)
4. The train’s impact on the region’s natural resources, such as coral reefs and algae, is not a concern despite existing pollution. (Answer: False)
5. The construction of the train has not caused any disputes within the local communities, with everyone being fairly compensated for their land. (Answer: False)
6. The president sees the Tren Maya as part of a larger plan to improve Mexico’s train system and create a coast-to-coast train line. (Answer: True)
7. Concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of the train’s construction, including deforestation and destruction of habitats for animals like jaguars and spider monkeys. (Answer: True)
8. Most people agree that the Tren Maya is crucial for the region and not just an indulgence for the president, Amlo. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧