Question

Q1. Read the following passage and choose the most appropriate answer: (5)
(Write the correct option number and the phrase)
THE PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT
The oldest stone buildings in the world are the pyramids of Egypt. They have stood for nearly 5000 years, and
it seems likely that they will continue to stand for thousands of years yet. They are over eighty of them
scattered along the bank of the Nile, some of which are different in shape from the true pyramids. The most
famous of these is the 'Step' pyramid and the 'Bent' pyramid.
Some of the pyramids still look much as they must have done when they were built thousands of years ago.
Most of the damage suffered by the others have been at the hands of men who were looking for treasure or,
more often, for stone to use in modern buildings. The dry climate of Egypt has helped to preserve the pyramids
and their very shape has made them less likely to fall into ruins. These are good reasons why they can still be
seen today, but perhaps the most important is that they were planned to last forever.
One thing is certain: there must have been months of careful planning before they could begin to build. The
thing they had to do was to choose a suitable place. You may think that this was an easy task, with miles and
miles of empty desert around, but a pyramid could not be built just anywhere. Certain rules had to be followed
strictly and certain problems were overcome.
The pyramid had to be on the west side of the Nile; the side on which the sunsets. This was for religious
reasons. The pyramid also had to stand well above the level of the river to protect it against the regular floods.
The pyramid could not be too far from the Nile, however, as the stones to build it needed to be carried in boats
down the river to the nearest point. Water transport was, of course, much easier than land transport. The

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builders also had to find a rock, which was not likely to crack under the great weight of the pyramid. Finally,
the pyramid had to be near the capital, or better still, near the king's palace so that he could visit it easily and
personally check the progress being made on the final resting place for his body.
1) The writer says 'The pyramids have stood for nearly 5000 years, and it seems likely that
they will continue to stand for thousands of years yet.' His tone is ____________________.
a) shocked b) fascinated c) disbelieving d) awe-struck
2) The maximum damage caused to the pyramids was due to ________________________
a) men looking for treasure. b) their being thousands of years old.
c) the dry climate. d) their shape and structure
3) The pyramid had to be on the west side of the Nile as _____________________________
a) the Egyptians worshipped the setting sun.
b) the eastern bank was regularly flooded.
c) stones needed to build the pyramids were available on the western bank.
d) water transportation was much easier on the western bank.
4) While building/ choosing a site for the pyramids, the factor not so important was _________
a) flooding of the Nile. b) closeness to the palace.
c) proximity to the Nile. d) distance from the desert.
5) The phrase 'fall into ruin' means ________________________________.
a) fall down b) collapse c) decay d) breakdown

Answer 1

1) The writer says 'The pyramids have stood for nearly 5000 years, and it seems likely that  they will continue to stand for thousands of years yet.' His tone is b) fascinated.

2) The maximum damage caused to the pyramids was due to a) men looking for treasure.

3) The pyramid had to be on the west side of the Nile as a) the Egyptians worshipped the setting sun.

4) While building/ choosing a site for the pyramids, the factor not so important was  b) closeness to the palace.

5) The phrase 'fall into ruin' means c) decay.