IELTS Reading

History: Prosperous Civilizations 3

– The City of Petra –

“The city of Petra, nestled within the rugged cliffs of Jordan, is one of the world’s most intriguing archaeological sites. Its history dates back to the 4th century BCE when it was established by the Nabataeans, a nomadic Arabian tribe. These skillful traders transformed Petra into a bustling hub for the silk, spice, and other luxury goods that flowed across the ancient world.

The Nabataeans demonstrated remarkable ingenuity in engineering. With an arid desert environment and a lack of water, they developed a complex system of dams, conduits, and reservoirs that harnessed seasonal rains, ensuring a stable water supply. This feat was crucial to their survival and prosperity.

Despite its grandeur, Petra fell into obscurity after its annexation by the Roman Empire in 106 CE. It wasn’t until the 19th century that a Swiss explorer rediscovered this lost city, bringing its story back to the world. Today, Petra remains a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the Nabataeans and continues to fascinate historians and tourists alike.”

​Choose NO MORE THAN TWO words from the text for each answer.
  1. Petra was nestled within rugged ________, and it is considered an interesting ancient site.
  2. The Nabataeans were skilled in ________ and made Petra a lively center for trading valuable items.
  3. To tackle the shortage of water in the arid desert, the Nabataeans constructed an intricate ________ of dams and reservoirs.
  4. Petra thrived by facilitating the trade of ________, spice, and other luxurious commodities.
  5. The Nabataeans ingeniously utilized seasonal ________ to provide a consistent water supply through their engineering systems.
  6. Today, Petra stands as an enduring ________ to the Nabataeans’ resourcefulness and perseverance.
Choose NO MORE THAN ONE word from the text for each answer.

Petra, ensconced in Jordan’s jagged ________ is an enthralling relic of antiquity. The city, established around the 4th century BCE by the ________, a wandering Arabian tribe, flourished as a dynamic center for the trade of silk, ________, and other opulent items. This civilization showcased exceptional adeptness in ________, devising a sophisticated arrangement of dams, channels, and water-storage facilities to capitalize on sporadic ________, a critical accomplishment for thriving in the arid desert. However, after the Roman Empire annexed Petra in 106 CE, it faded into oblivion until its reemergence in the 19th century. Petra now stands as a testament to the ________ and adaptability of the Nabataeans and captures the imagination of historians and travelers.

Vocabulary Builder 

  • Find the synonyms (words with the same or similar meaning) to these 9 words from the original passage.
Original Word Variants Used
cliffs _______________________
Nabataeans _______________________
bustling _______________________ / ______________________
traders _______________________
spice _______________________
complex _______________________ / ______________________
engineering _______________________
rains _______________________
ingenuity _______________________ / ______________________
Original Word Variants Used
cliffs rugged cliffs
Nabataeans wandering Arabian tribe
bustling lively, dynamic
traders skilled in commerce
spice opulent items
complex intricate, sophisticated
engineering adeptness in engineering
rains sporadic rains
ingenuity resourcefulness, adaptability

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