Page 126 - Think 4. Teacher's Book B2

Unit 12
Off the beaten track Reading; Train to

Culture notes Many places discovered by explorers in past OFF THE BEATEN TRACK UNIT 12
The Mayan civilisation began as centuries are now in danger of disappearing, and
many have already disappeared. Sadly, forests,
early as 2000 BCE in Mesoamerica (a lakes, glaciers and ancient ruins are gradually
huge area in modern-day southeast being destroyed by global warming and man-made
disasters. What can we do to save them?
Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and The Chacaltaya Glacier
Honduras) and lasted until 1697 CE.
Hundreds of cities were built in the 5,300 m up in the Andes
STATUS: disappeared
rainforests, each governed by its The Chacaltaya Glacier in the Andes was once the
own king or queen. After 800 CE, highest ski run in the world. The summit was in fact
higher than the base camp at Mount Everest.
many of the Mayan states began to The glacier, which is believed to be 18,000 years old,
was 0.22 km 2 in length in 1940. It shrank to 0.08 km 2 in
collapse. The Spanish conquest in 1996, before finally disappearing completely in 2005. The Nazca Lines
the 16th century resulted in centuries So why did it disappear? The answer is climate change. Ancient chalk drawings in Peru
STATUS: in danger of disappearing
Scientists predicted that it would disappear in 2015.
of population decline and cruelty In fact, it melted a lot more quickly. The Peruvian archaeologist Toribio
towards the Mayan people. However, Climate change is destroying other glaciers, too. Mejia Xesspe was the first to study
In Iceland, it is believed scientists have found a solution.
the Nazca Lines. He discovered them
today there are over seven million They inject carbon dioxide into rock. The carbon while he was exploring the area, in
Maya, some of whom maintain their dioxide gas then turns to rock, too. This helps to stop 1927. These ancient chalk drawings
show more than a hundred different figures, including
temperatures rising and the ice melting.
show more than a hundred different figures, including
traditions. flowers, animals and humans, and are the oldest of their
kind in the world. The largest figures stretch more than
The Dead Sea Scrolls are the remains The Mirador Basin and Tikal National Park 200 metres across. It is believed that they date back to
a time between 500 BCE and 500 CE.
of about 850 ancient manuscripts Forest home to Mayan ruins in Guatemala In recent years, however, tourism has brought litter and
that were found inside several large STATUS: losing 100,000 acres of forest a year vandalism. To help protect the Nazca lines, barriers
The Mirador Basin and Tikal National Park in Guatemala
could be built on the road that runs through them.
pottery jars by a young Bedouin are home to the amazing pyramids and ruins of the This would protect the drawings from cars and trucks
shepherd in 1947 on the shore of Mayan civilization. In 1881, the explorer Sir Alfred which sometimes drive onto them.
Maudslay took the first photos of the ancient Mayan city.
the Dead Sea in Jordan. Most of the Nowadays, the area is
manuscripts date from the 3rd–1st said to be losing 100,000 The Dead Sea
acres of forest a year.
century BCE. The texts have great It’s being burnt for farms. A salt-water lake in Jordan
STATUS: 24 metres shallower than 40 years ago
One solution to this is to
historical, religious and linguistic ask villagers to help The Dead Sea Scrolls are very important pieces of
significance, particularly within the protect the land. writing discovered in the area around the Dead Sea.
Sadly, the Dead Sea has decreased in size by a third
history of Judaism, because some in the past 40–45 years, and it is known to have sunk
contain parts of one of the earliest over 24 metres since the 1980s. If countries around
the sea continue to use water from the River Jordan,
versions of the Hebrew Bible. it is thought that the sea will not
Exploring hidden messages exist in 50 years’ time. Action
People don’t always say what they mean. For example, must be taken now to change
imagine you show a short story you’ve written to a friend and the way people use the water
5 Tell students that we sometimes ask for their opinion. What do you think when they tell you, from the River Jordan so that we
can save this beautiful salt lake.
use ‘hidden message’ language ‘I thought the beginning was great.’? Was the beginning really
good, or are they trying to hide the fact that they didn’t really
when we want to avoid being like the rest of it? People do this for a number of reasons: they
direct. For example, statement 4 don’t want to be rude; they’re not brave enough to tell the
truth; or they don’t really have an opinion.
might be used as a ‘polite’ way of 6 SPEAKING
SPEAKING Work in pairs. Read the situations.
accusing somebody of copying. 5 Look at what these people have said. What do you What could you say without being too direct?
think they might really be hiding?
1 Your dad has cooked something new that you really
1 That’s an interesting jumper you’re wearing. don’t like.
6 Encourage students to practise 2 There’s an earlier train you could catch, if you want. 2 Your best friend asks you what you think about their
responding in such a way that the 3 Joe always has a lot to say for himself. new haircut. You think it’s awful.
true message is hidden. During 4 Your homework reminded me a lot of Simon’s. 3 Your aunt’s annoying dog keeps barking.
feedback, listen to some of their 111
responses and ask the rest of
the class to decide if the answers
sound authentic. Activity idea Extension
Tell students that if two people do not get on, they may have conversations with a
lot of hidden messages. Students may enjoy creating dialogues containing a variety
Homework of hidden messages. For example:
Ask students to research another (at Anne’s party)
place that is in danger of A: Hi, Anne. Great party! I like parties without too many people. (There’s no
disappearing from around the world. atmosphere.)
They can find a picture and write a
description in English. If students do B: The music’s good – I haven’t heard this song since I was about ten. (You like
not have access to the internet, they children’s music.)
can invent a fictional place. Ask students to create dialogues with a partner, then act them out for another pair,
who have to guess the true meaning of the statements.
Critical ing
Evaluating ideas and arguments
Evaluating arguments as a whole. more
Communication
Using appropriate language for register and Worksheets
context Project Endangered animals
Using language appropriate for the situation. Communication More to explore
Emotional Development Get ing How important is tourism
Empathy and relationship skills where you live?
Showing empathy for the feelings of others.
Unit 12 | Off the beaten track T111