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 does transportation mean 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 might carbon intensive mean 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 hear and 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 journalist writing a headline and a short reaction quote after this interview.
Individually, write a one-sentence headline that captures the main message.