History · Level 3 · 157 words
The Pyramids of Egypt
Original passage © Team AM, written for Hone Literacy.
Thousands of years ago, the rulers of ancient Egypt, called pharaohs, ordered giant stone tombs to be built for themselves. The most famous of these tombs are the pyramids, which still stand near the Nile River today.
Each great pyramid was made of millions of heavy stone blocks. Workers cut the blocks from quarries, moved them to the building site, and stacked them into a shape that narrowed toward the top. Historians still study exactly how such heavy stones were lifted so high without modern machines. Many believe ramps and large teams of skilled workers were used.
The Egyptians believed that a pharaoh would continue to live in some way after death. Because of this belief, they filled the tombs with treasures, food, and objects the ruler might need. They also worked hard to protect the tombs from robbers, sometimes hiding the entrance or building false passages, though many tombs were still broken into over the centuries.
Comprehension questions
1. Who ordered the pyramids to be built?
- A Foreign kings
- B The pharaohs of Egypt
- C Greek traders
- D Roman soldiers
Show answer
B. The pharaohs of Egypt
The passage says the pharaohs ordered the giant stone tombs.
2. Why did the Egyptians fill the tombs with treasures and food?
- A To sell them later
- B Because they believed the pharaoh would live on after death
- C To feed the workers
- D To trade with neighbors
Show answer
B. Because they believed the pharaoh would live on after death
The text says they believed the pharaoh would continue to live after death, so they provided needed objects.
3. What is the passage mainly explaining?
- A How the Nile River formed
- B Why and how the Egyptians built the pyramids as tombs
- C How modern machines move stone
- D The diet of ancient workers
Show answer
B. Why and how the Egyptians built the pyramids as tombs
The passage focuses on the purpose and building of the pyramids as pharaohs' tombs.
Source: Written for Hone Literacy. Original passage © Team AM, written for Hone Literacy.