Grammar: Past Simple + Past Continuous. Culture: Aztec civilization. Pronunciation tips: Consonant Sound / tʃ / as in “chair”
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FULL TEXT
A Trip to Mexico
Anna and Tom were two friends from Canada. Last summer, they were traveling around the Americas when they stopped in Mexico. They wanted to see ancient civilizations and taste Mexican food.
While they were staying in the Yucatán Peninsula, they visited Chichén Itzá.
“Wow, look at that pyramid!” Anna said while she was pointing at El Castillo, the Maya temple.
As they were walking around the site, their guide explained the history.
“The Maya had advanced knowledge of stars and planets,” he said. “They built this pyramid to study the sun.”
Anna was listening carefully while she imagined people climbing the steps long ago. Tom was taking pictures while the guide was talking.
Later, they went to Palenque, a city in the jungle.
“I feel like we are exploring a hidden world,” Tom whispered.
While they were walking through the trees, they saw tall temples. The stones were covered with carvings.
Anna was touching the wall gently while Tom was reading the symbols.
Next, Anna and Tom traveled to Mexico City, which was built on the ruins of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan.
As they were standing in the city square, their guide showed them the site of the Templo Mayor.
“The Aztecs brought food and gifts here for their gods,” he explained.
Tom looked around while music was playing in the streets and children were running across the square.
“It’s hard to believe this was once a lake,” he said.
“Yes,” Anna replied. “And now people are walking, shopping, and taking buses everywhere!”
Their guide added, “The Aztecs were trading in the market while their leaders were planning wars.”
Anna nodded. “The city must have been full of life.”
The next day, they visited Teotihuacán, near Mexico City.
Tom was climbing the Pyramid of the Sun while Anna was taking photos from below.
When he reached the top, he called out, “Anna, the view is amazing!”
Anna joined him. While they were looking at the Pyramid of the Moon and the Avenue of the Dead, Anna said,
“People lived here before the Aztecs.”
“Yes,” Tom replied. “And while the city was growing, artists were painting murals and priests were making ceremonies.”
After visiting the ruins, Anna and Tom wanted to try traditional Mexican food. They went to a small restaurant. While Tom was looking at the menu, Anna was smelling the spices in the air.
“I want to try tacos,” Anna said. “It looks tasty.”
Tom was asking the waiter about the ingredients when Anna was taking pictures of the colorful dishes around them.
They ordered tacos, enchiladas, and fresh guacamole. While they were eating, a Mariachi band was playing music outside.
NEW WORDS:
Carving. Guacamole. Mural. Temple. Taco. Enchilada. Whisper. Waiter. Ingredient. Spice. Jungle. Ceremony. Ruin. Climb. Pyramid. Painting. Trade. Explore.
NEW WORDS
Building where people pray to gods
Taco.
Thin flat bread filled with meat, cheese, etc.
Enchilada
Thin flat bread filled with meat and covered with a very spicy sauce
To speak very quietly
Waiter
Person who brings food to the table.
Ingredient
A food that is used with other foods in the preparation of a dish
Spice
Jungle
Ceremony
Mariachi band
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TEST YOUR VOCABLARY – Fill in the blanks
A Trip to Mexico
Anna and Tom were two friends from Canada. Last summer, they were traveling around the Americas when they stopped in Mexico. They wanted to see ancient civilizations and taste Mexican food.
While they were staying in the Yucatán Peninsula, they visited Chichén Itzá.
“Wow, look at that pyramid!” Anna said while she was pointing at El Castillo, the Maya temple.
As they were walking around the site, their guide explained the history.
“The Maya had advanced knowledge of stars and planets,” he said. “They built this pyramid to study the sun.”
Anna was listening carefully while she imagined people climbing the steps long ago. Tom was taking pictures while the guide was talking.
Later, they went to Palenque, a city in the jungle.
“I feel like we are exploring a hidden world,” Tom whispered.
While they were walking through the trees, they saw tall temples. The stones were covered with carvings.
Anna was touching the wall gently while Tom was reading the symbols.
Next, Anna and Tom traveled to Mexico City, which was built on the ruins of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan.
As they were standing in the city square, their guide showed them the site of the Templo Mayor.
“The Aztecs brought food and gifts here for their gods,” he explained.
Tom looked around while music was playing in the streets and children were running across the square.
“It’s hard to believe this was once a lake,” he said.
“Yes,” Anna replied. “And now people are walking, shopping, and taking buses everywhere!”
Their guide added, “The Aztecs were trading in the market while their leaders were planning wars.”
Anna nodded. “The city must have been full of life.”
The next day, they visited Teotihuacán, near Mexico City.
Tom was climbing the Pyramid of the Sun while Anna was taking photos from below.
When he reached the top, he called out, “Anna, the view is amazing!”
Anna joined him. While they were looking at the Pyramid of the Moon and the Avenue of the Dead, Anna said,
“People lived here before the Aztecs.”
“Yes,” Tom replied. “And while the city was growing, artists were painting murals and priests were making ceremonies.”
After visiting the ruins, Anna and Tom wanted to try traditional Mexican food. They went to a small restaurant. While Tom was looking at the menu, Anna was smelling the spices in the air.
“I want to try tacos,” Anna said. “It looks tasty.”
Tom was asking the waiter about the ingredients when Anna was taking pictures of the colorful dishes around them.
They ordered tacos, enchiladas, and fresh guacamole. While they were eating, a Mariachi band was playing music outside.
TEST YOUR LISTENING SKILLS – ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW
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QUESTIONS (Use audio player at bottom of screen)
1. Where did Anna and Tom stop when they were traveling around the Americas last summer?
2. What did Anna see at Chichén Itzá?
3. What did Anna and Tom see in Palenque?
4. What did the guide show Anna and Tom in Mexico City Square?
5. What did Anna and Tom see in Teotihuacán?
6. What food did Anna and Tom want to try in Mexico?
7. What food did Anna and Tom order?
8. What music band was playing outside while they were eating?
ANSWERS (Hover your mouse – tap & hold then hit the “back” navigation arrow on phones- to reveal the answers).
2. At Chichén Itzá they saw a Maya temple called El Castillo.
3. In Palenque they saw tall temples. covered with carvings.
4. Their guide showed them the site of the Templo Mayor.
5. n Teotihuacan they saw the Pyramid of the Moon and the Avenue of the Dead.
6 They wanted to try traditional Mexican food.
7 They ordered tacos, enchiladas, and fresh guacamole
8 While they were eating, a Mariachi band was playing music outside.
GRAMMAR TEST
FILL IN THE BLANKS
Hover over the blank space (tap & hold then hit the “back” navigation arrow on phones) to reveal the answer
A Trip to Mexico (Past Simple + Past Continuous Practice)
Anna and Tom were two friends from Canada. Last summer, they were traveling around the Americas when they stopped in Mexico. They wanted to see ancient civilizations and taste Mexican food.
While they were staying in the Yucatán Peninsula, they visited Chichén Itzá.
“Wow, look at that pyramid!” Anna said while she was pointing at El Castillo, the Maya temple.
As they were walking around the site, their guide explained the history.
“The Maya had advanced knowledge of stars and planets,” he said. “They built this pyramid to study the sun.”
Anna was listening carefully while she imagined people climbing the steps long ago. Tom was taking pictures while the guide was talking.
Later, they went to Palenque, a city in the jungle.
“I feel like we are exploring a hidden world,” Tom whispered.
While they were walking through the trees, they saw tall temples. The stones were covered with carvings.
Anna was touching the wall gently while Tom was reading the symbols.
Next, Anna and Tom traveled to Mexico City, which was built on the ruins of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan.
As they were standing in the city square, their guide showed them the site of the Templo Mayor.
“The Aztecs brought food and gifts here for their gods,” he explained.
Tom looked around while music was playing in the streets and children were running across the square.
“It’s hard to believe this was once a lake,” he said.
“Yes,” Anna replied. “And now people are walking, shopping, and taking buses everywhere!”
Their guide added, “The Aztecs were trading in the market while their leaders were planning wars.”
Anna nodded. “The city must have been full of life.”
The next day, they visited Teotihuacán, near Mexico City.
Tom was climbing the Pyramid of the Sun while Anna was taking photos from below.
When he reached the top, he called out, “Anna, the view is amazing!”
Anna joined him. While they were looking at the Pyramid of the Moon and the Avenue of the Dead, Anna said,
“People lived here before the Aztecs.”
“Yes,” Tom replied. “And while the city was growing, artists were painting murals and priests were making ceremonies.”
After visiting the ruins, Anna and Tom wanted to try traditional Mexican food. They went to a small restaurant. While Tom was looking at the menu, Anna was smelling the spices in the air.
“I want to try tacos,” Anna said. “It looks tasty.”
Tom was asking the waiter about the ingredients when Anna was taking pictures of the colorful dishes around them.
They ordered tacos, enchiladas, and fresh guacamole. While they were eating, a Mariachi band was playing music outside.
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