The Great Pyramid at Giza is one of the world’s most amazing landmarks. Rising high above the Sahara Desert in the Giza region of northern Egypt, the Great Pyramid stands some 450 feet into the burning desert sky and occupies an area of 13 acres. The rough climate of the Sahara has actually caused the pyramid to shrink 30 feet from its original height.
The pyramid was such an amazing feat of engineering that it remained the tallest structure in the world for over 3800 years! The entire pyramid was originally faced with polished limestone to make it shine brilliantly in the sun. Most Egyptologists, scientists who study ancient Egypt, agree that the Great Pyramid was built around 2560 BC, a little more than 4,500 years ago. It took tens of thousands of workers twenty years to build. The pyramid contains over two million stone blocks. Although most of the blocks weigh two or three tons, some weigh up to 80 tons!
The Great Pyramid of Giza was ordered built by the Pharaoh Khufu as a magnificent tomb. His vizier (advisor) Hemon is credited with being the pyramid’s architect. Khufu’s pyramid is actually part of a complex of pyramids that includes the Pyramid of Khafre, the smaller Pyramid of Menkaure, a variety of smaller pyramids and structures, and the Great Sphinx. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the last remaining of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Choose the best answer.
1. What is the third paragraph about?
A. The Great Pyramid of Giza and its surrounding pyramids C. The Sphinx
B. The Seven Wonders of the World D. The life of Hemon
2. The purpose of the first paragraph is to …
A. give statistics and background about the Great Pyramid at Giza.
B. describe how long it remained the world’s tallest structure
C. describe the effect the desert climate has had on the Pyramid.
D. describe where Giza is located.
3. After reading the passage, which “word” would the author use FIRST to describe the pyramids?
A. troubling B. confusing C. incredible D. outdated
4. What could be a title for the second paragraph?
A. The Great Pyramid at Giza: Standing Tall in the Desert.
B. The Great Pyramid at Giza: Once the Tallest Structure in the World.
C. The Great Pyramid at Giza: One of the Greatest Man-made Wonders in the History of the World.
D. The Great Pyramid at Giza: The Tomb of the Pharaoh
5. Which of the following is FALSE?
A. Khufu was Hemon’s vizier and architect.
B. Hemon was Khufu’s vizier and architect.
C. The Pyramid took tens of thousands of workers about twenty years to complete.
D. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the last remaining of the Seven Wonders of the World.
