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A Road Not Taken

Before Listening –Predicting

Sommaire

Why Don't More Americans Travel by Train? - Pre-Listening WorksheetThe Missed Opportunity of Trains in the U.S. - Listening Worksheet
Taking the Train in the USA: All You Need to Know - Pre-Reading WorksheetTaking the Train in the USA: All You Need to Know - Reading Worksheet 1Taking the Train in the USA: All You Need to Know - Reading Worksheet 2Design a Poster for Train Travel in the U.S.
High-Speed Hope: Can Trains Help Save the Climate? - Pre-Listening WorksheetHigh-Speed Hope: Can Trains Help Save the Climate? - Listening Worksheet
A Road Not Taken - Recap

Why Don't More Americans Travel by Train? - Pre-Listening Worksheet

Before Listening –Predicting
1. Look at the title "Why Don't More Americans Travel by Train?"
In pairs, discuss:
  • What does the title suggest?
  • What are some ways to travel long distances in the U.S.?
  • What might make trains less popular in America?
  • Do you think trains are more common in other countries? Why?
After your discussion, be ready to share one interesting idea or question with the rest of the class.
2. Look at the picture below.
  • Would you like to ride this train? Why or why not?
  • What kind of experience do you think it offers?
  • What does the photo suggest about train travel in the U.S.?
3. Predict the language.
Make a list of 8 to 10 words or expressions you expect to hear in the podcast.

The Missed Opportunity of Trains in the U.S. - Listening Worksheet

1. Listen to the podcast.
a.Before discussing the main idea,think back to your predictions.
  • Did you hear any of the words you expected?
  • Choose 3-5 words you heard and write simple sentences with them to show what you understood.
b.Answer the following questions: 
  • What is being compared?
  • Which types of transportation were mentioned?
  • Which ones seem more supported or popular in the U.S.?
  • How do you know?
2. Listen again.Focus on the government’s role and the consequences.
a.Work with a partner.
You heard the phrases “divest from train travel” and “give highways a blank check.” Try to figure out what they mean. What was said before and after the phrase? What other words in the sentence helped you understand the meaning?
“Divest from train travel”:
  • Clues from the sentence: ...
  • Our guess: ...
“Give highways a blank check”:
  • Clues from the sentence: ...
  • Our guess: ...
Share your guesses with the class. Then, check: Were you close?
b.In pairs, discuss and use your notes to fill in the boxes in the table below with what happened to each type of transport. You can copy the table in your notebook, fill it in online or download it.
c.Share your ideas with the class.
  • Were your ideas similar to other groups?
  • What surprised you most in the podcast?
d. Listen for numbers and dates.
  • What do they tell us about the the current situation?
  • Write a short conclusion (2-3 sentences) using the numbers and the dates to explain what this tells you about the U.S. government’s current priorities in transportation, and whether they seem different from the past.

Taking the Train in the USA: All You Need to Know - Pre-Reading Worksheet

Predict Before Reading
Work in pairs.Look at the title, the first sentence, and the photograph. Discuss.
1. Focus on the phrase: “All you need to know.”
What does it suggest about the article? Make a list of topics or tips you expect to find.
2. Look at the first sentenceof the article below in italics.
Think riding the rails is a thing of the past in the USA? Think again.
a.What do you understand about the way train travel is viewed in the U.S.?
b.What might “Think again” mean?
c.What kind of tone or message does the sentence suggest?
3.Based on the title, the first sentence, and the photograph,what general impression do you get of train travel in the U.S.? Write 1-2 sentences.
Be ready to share your list and ideas with the class.

Taking the Train in the USA: All You Need to Know - Reading Worksheet 1

1. Read the first paragraph.
a. Word Work — “Although.”
  • Read the whole sentence again and think: What does the first part say? What does the second part say?
  • Does “although” mean the ideas are similar, or does it signal a difference?
  • In pairs, come up with your own short sentence using“although”.Share with the class.
b. Checking predictions — “Think again.”
Compare with your earlier guesses: Does this confirm what you thought “think again” might mean?
c. Underline the landscapes described. Which of these landscapes do you see in the photo?
2. Read the second paragraph.
a.The text mentions trains in Japan and Spain,and then trains in the USA.
Make two quick lists:
  • Japan/Spain trains: What are they like?
  • USA trains: What are they like?
b.Word Work — “However.”
Read the sentence before and after “however.” Does “however” show the ideas are the same, or does it show a difference/contrast? In pairs, try to make your own sentence with “however.”
c. Detail Search — Problems with U.S. trains.
  • Reread carefullyand write down in your notebook the specific problems the article mentions.
  • In pairs, fill in the table below. You can draw it in your notebook, open it online or download it.
d. Reflection: Based on this paragraph only, would you like to travel on these U.S. trains? Why or why not? Write 2-3 sentences and share with your partner.

Taking the Train in the USA: All You Need to Know - Reading Worksheet 2

Read the second half of the text.
1. Which word signalsa change in direction?What kind of change does the author suggest (positive or negative)? How do you know?
2. Look for the dates mentioned in the article and organize them in a mini timeline.What do these dates show about trains in the U.S.?
3. Understanding expressions.
Find the phrase“haven’t come to fruition yet.”  What might this mean? Choose the best explanation in the list below. Look at the sentence before and after for clues.
  • The changes are already complete.
  • The changes are still in progress, not finished.
  • The changes were canceled.
4. Focus on the last two lines.
  • Why do you think the journalist asks a question and then answers it?
  • What effect does it have on the reader?
5. Do you thinkthe author is being realistic, optimistic, or negative about train travel?Justify with one phrase from the text.

Design a Poster for Train Travel in the U.S.

Work in small groups.
Imagine Amtrak has hired you to design a campaign to encourage young travelers to take the train.
Create a poster or digital ad with:
  • A slogan
  • At least 2 advantages of train travel
  • 1 challenge / problem (but present it in a way that makes it sound less important)
Present your poster to the class.
The class votes on which campaign would most convince them to ride the train.

High-Speed Hope: Can Trains Help Save the Climate? - Pre-Listening Worksheet

Predict Before Listening
1. What two ideasare being linked in the title?
2. Make a short list of wordsor expressions you expect to hear in this audio.Share with a partner.

High-Speed Hope: Can Trains Help Save the Climate? - Listening Worksheet

1. First listening.
a.Sound Map:While listening, jot down key words or short phrases under two headings:
  • Problems: ...
  • Solutions: ...
b.In pairs, compare the notes you took in 1. a. Did you catch the same things?
2. Second listening.
a.Spot the phrase in context: “The U.S. transportation system is the most carbon intensive of any developed country.”
b.Focus on “transportation”.
  • Before listening: Quick check — what doestransportationmean in this context?
  • While listening: Write down any information you catch about transportation in the U.S. How is it described?
c.Word work:carbon intensive.
  • What do you know about “carbon”?
  • What smaller word inside “intensive” do you recognize?
  • What mightcarbon intensivemean in this context?
3. Third listening.
a. Focus on the section about train.While listening, note the two types of trains mentioned.
b. What powers each type of trains? What is the consequence for the environment?
c. Write down any numbers you hearand explain in your own words what they refer to. 
4. Mini-summary check.
In pairs, answer:
a. What is the main problem Steven Higashide highlights?
b. What’s one solution he proposes?
5. Imagine you are a journalistwriting a headline and a short reaction quote after this interview.
Individually, write a one-sentence headline that captures the main message.

A Road Not Taken - Recap

Recap what you have learntso far and imagine what the key question of the unit may be. You may use the elements in the toolbox below. Do not forget to fill in your "Personal Recap Chart."
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Toolbox
I had no idea that ... but now I know ...
I learned that …
Something I can now explain is … / I can now explain that ...
One new word I remember is … / One word that sums up what we studied is ...
I didn’t (quite) understand ... before, but now I do.
I didn’t know that …
Now I wonder if/whether …
A question I still have is …
This lesson made me think about …
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