A2 Reading • 12 Minutes

The Great Pyramid of Giza

Learn about ancient history, facts, and sources from Harvard University and National Geographic.

💡 How to use this lesson

For Teachers

Use this 12-minute reading task to practice reading for facts and for who says them. Check answers together with your students using the provided evidence.

For Learners

First, read the short article and check the key words below it. Next, answer the 8 questions from Q1 to Q8 to test your understanding.

Pattern Example: "The class has nearly thirty students."

📰 Article: The Great Pyramid of Giza

School Website

A majestic view of the Great Pyramid of Giza under a warm golden desert sun, warm sandstone palette

Harvard University says that King Khufu built the Great Pyramid in the Fourth Dynasty as a tomb for himself. It was the largest pyramid in Egypt, with a height of 481 feet at first. National Geographic says that Khufu began work on his pyramid around 2550 BCE, and that it has about two and a half million stone blocks. Harvard University says that the Great Pyramid is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that still stands today. It stands in Giza, about 15 miles southwest of Cairo.

📖 Key Words & Terms

Name

Harvard University

A university in the United States whose team studies the old buildings of Giza.

Name

National Geographic

A magazine and website about science and the world.

Place

Giza

A place in Egypt near the city of Cairo.

Noun

Pyramid

A very big stone building with a point at the top.

Noun

Tomb

A place where a dead person is put.

History

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

A list of seven great buildings and places from a very long time ago.

History

Fourth Dynasty

A time when one family of kings ruled Egypt.

✍️ Reading Exercises (Questions 1–8)

Answer the questions below based on the passage provided.

Question 1 • True / False

King Khufu built the Great Pyramid as a tomb for himself.

____ True ____ False

Question 2 • True / False

The Great Pyramid stands 15 miles northeast of Cairo.

____ True ____ False

Question 3 • Multiple Choice

Which source says that the Great Pyramid has about two and a half million stone blocks?

____ a. Harvard University ____ b. National Geographic ____ c. King Khufu ____ d. The City of Cairo

Question 4 • Multiple Choice

How high was the Great Pyramid at first according to Harvard University?

____ a. 2550 feet ____ b. 15 feet ____ c. 481 feet ____ d. 2.5 million feet

Question 5 • Matching Sources

Match each name to the facts it says:

Source

Fourth Dynasty & 481 feet

2550 BCE & 2.5M blocks

National Geographic

____ Fourth Dynasty & 481 feet ____ 2550 BCE & 2.5M blocks

Harvard University

____ Fourth Dynasty & 481 feet ____ 2550 BCE & 2.5M blocks

Question 6 • Matching Definitions

Match each vocabulary word to its meaning:

Word

Place for a dead person

Big stone building with a point

Pyramid

____ Place for a dead person ____ Big stone building with a point

Tomb

____ Place for a dead person ____ Big stone building with a point

Question 7 • Short Answer

Around what year did King Khufu begin work on his pyramid according to National Geographic?

____ (Type the year (e.g., 2550 BCE))

Question 8 • Fill in the Blank

Why is the Great Pyramid special among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World? Fill in the missing word:

Harvard University says that the Great Pyramid is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that still ____ today.

Reading: The Great Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza

💡 How to use this lesson

📰 Article: The Great Pyramid of Giza

📖 Key Words & Terms

Harvard University

National Geographic

Giza

Pyramid

Tomb

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

Fourth Dynasty

✍️ Reading Exercises (Questions 1–8)

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