– The Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius –
“The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD is one of the most infamous volcanic eruptions in history, leading to the obliteration of the Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. These towns were situated in proximity to the volcano, in the Bay of Naples, Italy. It is surmised that thousands perished as a consequence of the eruption.
Vesuvius unleashed a pyroclastic surge, an avalanche of hot ash, pumice, rock fragments, and volcanic gas, soaring to a staggering height of 33 kilometers. This lethal cloud advanced at a phenomenal speed, enveloping the surrounding towns and preserving them under layers of ash and pumice.
The utter destruction and the remarkably well-preserved remnants of Pompeii and Herculaneum have been an inexhaustible source of insight into Roman life. The sites, unearthed in the 18th century, have furnished scholars with invaluable artifacts and detailed impressions of structures and human forms, termed “ash mummies.” Consequently, the archaeological sites have become emblematic, attracting innumerable visitors annually.”
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 79 AD, the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius led to the annihilation of the nearby Roman towns of Pompeii and _________ 1, located in the Bay of Naples, Italy. This infamous event released a _________ 2 surge, a lethal mix of hot ash, pumice, rock fragments, and volcanic gas that rose to an astounding height of 33 kilometers. The high-speed cloud of debris and gas blanketed the neighboring towns, encasing them in _________ 3 layers. The preserved ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, discovered in the 18th century, offer a rich snapshot of Roman life, yielding countless artifacts and well-preserved “ash _________ 4”. As a result, these archaeological sites draw _________ 5 numbers of visitors each year, standing as iconic symbols of a _________ 6 past. |
Vocabulary Builder
- Find the synonyms (words with the same or similar meaning) to these 9 words from the original passage.
| Original word | Variants used |
|---|---|
| Infamous | _________ |
| Obliteration | _________ |
| Unleashed | _________ |
| Soaring | ____________________________ |
| Lethal | _________ |
| Remnants | _________ |
| Unearthed | _________ |
| Innumerable | _________ |
