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Ancient Structures: Pre-intermediate Comprehension

Average: 4 (18 votes)

Read through these two paragraphs about two very famous structures in China and Egypt. When you have finished reading, answer the comprehension questions. You can write your answers in the comments area. There is also a vocabulary exercise for you to try.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China was built across northern China to protect the population from foreign invaders. Before 3rd century BC, there were lots of smaller walls and they were joined together to make one long, defensive wall. The work was done by enormous numbers of forced labourers and many of them died during the process. The wall is over 20,000km long, and on average is 7m high, and 5m wide. It is made of earth covered stone.

The Egyptian Pyramids

The Egyptian Pyramids are a famous symbol of ancient Egypt. The stone structures were usually tombs for pharaohs. The pyramids have square bases with sloping sides which meet at an apex. The first Pyramid was built in about 2600 BC and is over 140m high.  One of the biggest Pyramids is made of enormous stone blocks which weigh up to 200 tons each.  It is estimated that around 25,000 people worked for 20 years to build each Pyramid.

Comprehension Questions

  1. Why was the Great Wall of China built?
  2. Who built the Great Wall of China?
  3. How long is the Great Wall of China?
  4. Which structure is older, the Great Wall of China, or the Pyramids in Egypt?
  5. What was the purpose of the Pyramids in Egypt?
  6. What are pharaohs?
  7. When was the first pyramid built?
  8. How long did it take to build one Pyramid
  9. Where was the Great Wall of China built?
  10. What is a famous symbol of ancient Egypt?

Comprehension Answers >>

Now choose the word that is closest in meaning to the word in CAPITAL LETTERS. All these words come from today's comprehension:

  • 1 - "to protect the population from foreign INVADERS":





  • 2 - "The work was done by ENORMOUS numbers of forced labourers":





  • 3 - "The Egyptian Pyramids are a famous SYMBOL of ancient Egypt":





  • 4 - "The stone structures were usually TOMBS for pharaohs":





  • 5 - "The pyramids have square bases with sloping sides which meet at an APEX":





  • 6 - "It is ESTIMATED that around 25,000 people worked for 20 years":