– Machu Pichu –
“In 1911, the enigmatic city of Machu Picchu was revealed to the world by American historian and explorer Hiram Bingham. Nestled within the verdant Andes Mountains of Peru, this ancient Incan citadel remained shrouded in obscurity for centuries, escaping the clutches of marauding Spanish conquistadors. The impeccable masonry and architectural ingenuity of Machu Picchu epitomize the zenith of the Incan civilization.
Machu Picchu comprises an intricate network of approximately 200 buildings, encompassing temples, plazas, and agricultural terraces. The structures are constructed from enormous blocks of granite, deftly carved and positioned without mortar.
Astoundingly, the meticulous precision in craftsmanship renders the walls resilient to seismic tremors, a pragmatic attribute given the region’s propensity for earthquakes.
The city’s enigmatic purpose is a subject of scholarly debate. Hypotheses range from a royal retreat for Incan emperors, to an astronomical observatory, or even a military stronghold. Nonetheless, Machu Picchu stands as a resplendent testament to the sophistication and prowess of ancient Andean culture.”
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO words from the text for each answer.
|
| Choose NO MORE THAN ONE word from the text for each answer.
In 1911, the cryptic settlement of Machu Picchu was disclosed to the international domain by Hiram Bingham, an American chronicler and adventurer. Concealed amidst the luxuriant Andes range in Peru, this age-old Incan fortress evaded the ravages of Spanish ________. Machu Picchu represents the pinnacle of Incan architecture and features nearly 200 edifices, inclusive of sanctuaries, ________ spaces, and cultivation tiers. These structures were ________ with large fragments of granite that were adeptly hewn and aligned sans adhesive. This scrupulous assembly technique fortifies the constructions against tremors, which is a ________ trait, considering the area’s susceptibility to earthquakes. |
Vocabulary Builder
- Find the synonyms (words with the same or similar meaning) to these 9 words from the original passage.
| Original Word | Variants Used |
|---|---|
| revealed | ___________________ / __________________ |
| city | ___________________ / __________________ |
| historian | ___________________ / __________________ |
| explorer | ___________________ |
| mountains | ___________________ |
| ancient | ___________________ |
| buildings | ___________________ / __________________ |
| agricultural | ___________________ |
| earthquakes | ___________________ |
