Great question — and it's the kind of question that shows up in English exams (argumentative essay / opinion) as well as in general knowledge. Let's think it through together, step by step. 🧭
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You're asked to give an opinion ("Do you think...?") and then justify it ("Why? Why not?").
So the answer needs two parts:
• a clear position (yes / no / it depends),
• reasons that support it.
> 💡 Tip for exams: a good opinion answer never says just "I think yes" — it always gives at least two reasons and, ideally, acknowledges the other side.
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Before judging, let's look at the real situation:
| Fact | Why it matters |
|------|----------------|
| Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel in Peru. | It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site — protected by international rules. |
| It sits about 2,430 m above sea level, on a narrow mountain ridge. | Building there is technically very hard and risky. |
| It receives over 1.5 million visitors per year (before limits). | Overtourism already damages the stones and the soil. |
| Access today is by train to Aguas Calientes + bus or a long hike (Inca Trail). | The journey is slow — this is exactly what a cable car would "fix". |
| The site is fragile: terraces, drainage, and stone walls are sensitive to vibration and weight. | Heavy construction could cause irreversible damage. |
So the real question isn't "Is a cable car convenient?" — it's "Is convenience worth the risk to a unique, irreplaceable place?"
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When you write an opinion answer, use this simple structure:
1. State your opinion clearly.
2. Give 2–3 reasons FOR your opinion.
3. Mention the opposite view (this shows maturity).
4. Conclude with a balanced sentence.
Now let's apply it. 👇
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My opinion: No, I don't think it's a good idea — or at least, not in the classic form.
Reasons against:
1. It could damage the site. Machu Picchu is a fragile archaeological area. Building towers, cables and a station means heavy machinery, concrete and vibrations — all dangerous for ancient stonework. Once damaged, it cannot be restored.
2. It would increase tourism, not control it. A cable car makes access easier, so more people would come. But the problem today is already too many visitors, not too few.
3. It would change the experience. Part of Machu Picchu's magic is the difficult journey — the train, the hike, the silence of the mountains. A cable car would turn a sacred place into a theme park.
The other side (be fair!):
• A cable car would help elderly people and people with disabilities reach the site.
• It could reduce pollution from buses on the winding road to Aguas Calientes.
• It could bring money and jobs to local communities.
Conclusion:
> In my opinion, the risks are bigger than the benefits. If access must improve, it should be done with strict limits, small electric vehicles, and full protection of the site — not with a large cable car system.
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Try these two short tasks on your own (no answers given — just hints 😊):
1. Write 3 sentences giving the opposite opinion: "I think a cable car IS a good idea because…"
👉 Hint: use "Firstly… Secondly… Finally…" and think about accessibility and local economy.
2. Imagine you are a UNESCO official. Write one paragraph (4–5 lines) explaining your decision about the cable car.
👉 Hint: use formal phrases like "In our view…", "We are concerned that…", "Therefore, we recommend…".
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💬 One last thought: there is no single "correct" answer here — examiners reward clear opinions + good reasons + balanced thinking, not a specific side. So choose the side you can defend best!
If you'd like, I can help you turn this into a full English essay (introduction → arguments → conclusion) — just tell me! 📝