– The Ruins of Copán –
“In the sweltering jungles of Central America, a fascinating remnant of a bygone civilization was unveiled in 1841. John Lloyd Stephens, an intrepid American explorer, and Frederick Catherwood, an adept draftsman, stumbled upon the ruins of Copán, an ancient Maya city-state. Nestled in present-day Honduras, this intricate site flourished between the 5th and 9th centuries. Copán was a veritable hub for advances in astronomy, mathematics, and writing, epitomized by its hieroglyphics and magnificent stelae.
Remarkably, the city’s architects harmonized their designs with the natural topography. With an exquisite attention to detail, they constructed elaborate plazas, temples, and a prominent ball court. These spaces were embellished with detailed sculptures, which narrated the lineage and exploits of Copán’s rulers. The Hieroglyphic Stairway, the site’s pièce de résistance, is bedecked with over 2,000 glyphs, chronicling the city’s history.
Stephens and Catherwood’s expedition marked the beginning of an arduous journey to unearth the marvels of this enigmatic civilization, which had hitherto remained shrouded in obscurity.”
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO words from the text for each answer.
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| Choose NO MORE THAN ONE word from the text for each answer.
In 1841, intrepid explorer John Lloyd Stephens and proficient artist Frederick Catherwood unveiled an ancient city-state, Copán, nestled in contemporary Honduras. Flourishing from the 5th to the 9th ________, Copán was a thriving center for astronomical and mathematical ________, and was recognized for its detailed ________ and grand stelae. The city’s creative minds merged architectural ingenuity with the ________ landscape, resulting in ornate plazas, sanctuaries, and a well-known ball court, decorated with intricate ________ depicting the city’s rulers. The city’s centerpiece, the Hieroglyphic Stairway, boasts over 2,000 ________, documenting the city’s history. The ________ expedition by Stephens and Catherwood marked a new era in the exploration of this mysterious civilization. |
Vocabulary Builder
- Find the synonyms (words with the same or similar meaning) to these 9 words from the original passage.
| Original word | Variants used |
|---|---|
| explorer | ___________________ / __________________ |
| discovered | ___________________ / __________________ |
| ruins | ___________________ / __________________ |
| flourished | ___________________ / __________________ |
| advances | ___________________ / __________________ |
| hieroglyphics | ___________________ / __________________ |
| natural | ___________________ / __________________ |
| sculptures | ___________________ / __________________ |
| expedition | ___________________ / __________________ |
