Page 88 - BACKUP ENGLISH | PREPARATORY CLASS

THEME 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD

Reading

a) Match the headings with the paragraphs.
1. Uncovering the Secrets of the Lighthouse of Alexandria
2. A Marvel of Ancient Engineering
3. History and the Significance of the Lighthouse of Alexandria

A ________________________________________
The Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World. Alexander the Great founded the city of Alexandria as part of the
Ptolemaic Kingdom, what is now Egypt. After the death of Alexander the
Great, his son Ptolemy I Soter started the construction of the lighthouse to
help guide ships into the port at night and, it was completed during the reign
rd
of Ptolemy II Philadelphus in the 3 century BC.
B ________________________________________
The lighthouse stood on a 30 by 30 m square base. Its height was about 115 m
and there was a tower at the top. It was made of blocks of limestone and granite. It was one of the tallest human-made
structures for centuries. Although the lighthouse was one of the three longest-lasting wonders of the ancient world, it couldn’t
survive up to date. Many huge earthquakes hit and damaged the lighthouse. Each earthquake caused parts of it to disappear
and by the 15 century AD, it was completely gone.
th
C ________________________________________
Archaeologists still focus on the structure today. They know its exact location because the blocks of stones of the lighthouse
are still under the sea water. There are various projects in memory of the lighthouse. It is still one of the most important items
of the UNESCO World Heritage List.

b) Read the text and answer the questions.

1. Why is the Lighthouse of Alexandria important?
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2. Who built the Lighthouse of Alexandria?
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3. Why did they build the lighthouse?
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4. Why did the lighthouse disappear?

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5. What is left from the lighthouse today?
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c) What else would you like to know about the Lighthouse of Alexandria? Make a list of your questions and search for the
answers in groups. Then, share them with your classmates.

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86 English for Preparatory Class