Non-fiction: Ancient Egypt The Pyramids Ancient Egypt The Pyramids Illustration by Rebekah Hanousek-Monge Most of us have seen pictures of the great pyramids of Egypt. Experts believe that these pyramids were built for ancient pharaohs, or kings. The pyramids served as enormous and elaborate 1 tombs. Imagine building structures so big and heavy without modern construction equipment! The Great Pyramid of Khufu in Giza was built out of over 2 million stone blocks. Each block weighed more than 12 tons. It is amazing that all of these blocks were so skillfully put together. One thing has always puzzled archeologists. How did the ancient Egyptians move the blocks? Opinions vary 2. Many experts think the blocks were moved with ramps and sleds. However, no one knows for sure. It took many workers to cut the blocks. It took many more to move them. It took even more men to place the blocks on the pyramid. Archeologists estimate that over 20,000 men worked on the Great Pyramid. Building the pyramid took many years. Today, visitors still come to marvel 3 at this amazing structure. It s the only one of the seven wonders of the ancient world that is still standing. 1 elaborate: having lots of pieces, parts, or details 2 vary: to be different 3 marvel: to be filled with wonder or surprise 1
Questions: Ancient Egypt The Pyramids Name: Date: 1. The main idea of this story is a. The pyramids are in Egypt b. The pyramids were built well c. We don t know who built the pyramids d. Ancient pharaohs built the pyramids 2. The pyramids are made of a. Wood b. Stone c. Brick d. Concrete 3. Which of these is an opinion? a. Over 20,000 men built the Great Pyramid. b. Pyramids served as tombs for pharaohs. c. The Great Pyramid contains over 2 million blocks. d. The Great Pyramid s blocks were moved with ramps. 4. The purpose of this passage is to a. inform b. amuse c. persuade d. entertain 5. How were the pyramids built? a. By using ramps and sticks. b. By using giant construction cranes. c. Nobody knows for sure. d. By using thousands of camels. 2
Questions: Ancient Egypt The Pyramids 6. Why do you think the Great Pyramid was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world? 7. Why does it make it more impressive that the pyramids were built a long time ago? 8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Around 20,000 people were working on the pyramids they were being built. a. sometimes b. although c. while d. after 9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below. It was over two thousand years ago when the Great Pyramids were built in Egypt. What? the Great Pyramids (were) What? Where? When? 10. Vocabulary Word: vary: to be different. Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: 3
Answers: Ancient Egypt The Pyramids Passage Reading Level: Lexile 670 Teacher Guide and Answers Featured Text Structure: Descriptive the writer explains, defines, or illustrates a concept or topic Passage Summary: The Great Pyramids of Egypt were tombs for ancient pharaohs. They are huge, and arcaheologists are still trying to figure out how they were made. 1. The main idea of this story is a. The pyramids are in Egypt b. The pyramids were built well c. We don t know who built the pyramids d. Ancient pharaohs built the pyramids 2. The pyramids are made of a. Wood b. Stone c. Brick d. Concrete 3. Which of these is an opinion? a. Over 20,000 men built the Great Pyramid. b. Pyramids served as tombs for pharaohs. c. The Great Pyramid contains over 2 million blocks. d. The Great Pyramid s blocks were moved with ramps. 4. The purpose of this passage is to a. inform b. amuse c. persuade d. entertain 5. How were the pyramids built? a. By using ramps and sticks. b. By using giant construction cranes. c. Nobody knows for sure. d. By using thousands of camels. 4
Answers: Ancient Egypt The Pyramids 6. Why do you think the Great Pyramid was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world? Suggested answer: Answers will vary but should include the idea that the Great Pyramid was a remarkable, wonderful structure that would have been famous in the ancient world. 7. Why does it make it more impressive that the pyramids were built a long time ago? Suggested answer: It is more impressive that the pyramids were built a long time ago, because the builders did not have modern construction equipment. 8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Around 20,000 people were working on the pyramids they were being built. a. sometimes b. although c. while d. after 9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below. It was over two thousand years ago when the Great Pyramids were built in Egypt. What? the Great Pyramids (were) What? were built Where? Egypt When? over two thousand years ago 10. Vocabulary Word: vary: to be different. Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: answers may vary. 5