READING CAMP: Pyramids Passages

Which TWO details from Passage 1 illustrate the size of the pyramids?

• The pyramids were built as burial chambers for kings.

• The largest pyramid was originally nearly 500 feet tall.

• The pyramids are smaller now than they were originally.

• The pyramids are one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

• The largest pyramid is made of stones that weigh over five million tons.

Which idea from Passage 1 does the photograph emphasize?

• The pyramids are massive structures.

• The pyramids are very close to a big city.

• The pyramids must have been hard to build.

• The pyramids were built thousands of years ago.

PART A: Which definition of ACCESSIBLE is used in paragraph 6 of Passage 1?

• easy to speak to

• capable of being influenced

• easily used by people with disabilities

• capable of being reached

Choose the word from paragraph 6 that best supports the answer to Part A

 

"Every year, many (a) tourists visit the pyramids to experience their (b) grandeur in person and learn about (c) ancient Egyptian civilization.  Even though the (d) interiors are not accessible, the pyramids are still quite a sight to behold!"

• tourists

• grandeur

• ancient

• interiors

Read this sentence from Passage 1.

 

"The pyramids were built as royal burial chambers and were surrounded by funeral temples and other burial sites." (paragraph 2)

 

How does this sentence help develop the author's explanation of the pyramids?

• It tells the reason why the pyramids were built.

• It introduces the kings who built the pyramids.

• It explains why the location of the pyramids was important.

• It describes what the ancient Egyptians thought about death.

Which of the following statements illustrates the importance of Michael Barsoum's work as described in Passage 2?

• Barsoum thought it would be simple to analyze the blocks

• Barsoum spent five years analyzing the chemistry of the stones

• Barsoum discovered a substance very close to natural limestone

• Barsoum determined the blocks were made from a type of concrete

Which sentence from Passage 2 provides a reason that supports the claim that the blocks were made of molded concrete?

• "In addition, the pyramids are aligned almost exactly to the cardinal points of north, south, east, and west."  (paragraph 7)

• "Ancient Egyptians had created a material so close to natural limestone that it fooled everyone for 4,500 years." (paragraph 11)

• "Finally, the stones fit together too perfectly to have been chiseled by hand." (paragraph 12)

• "Cast stones are no lighter than natural limestone." (paragraph 13)

What is the main idea of Passage 2?

• The pyramids are aligned to the cardinal points.

• The ancient Egyptians used advanced building techniques.

• The blocks of stone making up the pyramids are nearly identical.

• The builders may have moved stones up ramps to get them in place.

Read this sentence from Passage 2:

 

"Despite the idea that the stones were chiseled, there have been no chisels or other IMPLEMENTS found as archaeological evidence." (paragraph 12)

 

How does the word chisels help you determine the meaning of implements?

• Chisels and implements are synonyms.

• Implements are the products made from using chisels.

• Implements are one type of chisel.

• Chisels are items in the category of implements.

Read this sentence from Passage 1:

 

"Given their size and durability, the pyramids must have been extremely challenging to build." (paragraph 5)

 

Which sentence from Passage 2 shows the same idea?

• "As to the building blocks themselves, up until recently, it was thought that the cumbersome stone blocks were carved from natural limestone." (paragraph 9)

• "They were then moved by a tremendous amount of physical labor and carefully put into place." (paragraph 9)

• "Finally, the stones fit together too perfectly to have been chiseled by hand." (paragraph 12)

• "Cast stones are no lighter than natural limestone." (paragraph 13)