The Great Wall of China is the longest building on earth. It winds through the hills and mountains of northern China. The Great Wall is so large that it can be seen from space! In places the wall is up to 25 feet tall. It is between 15 and 30 feet wide. The wall stretches for over 1500 miles.
Building began on the Great Wall more than 2,000 years ago. At that time, the Chinese people had enemies in the north. These enemies were forcing their way into China. The Chinese leader ordered workers to build the wall. He thought it would protect their land. The wall included towers and forts. At one time, over one million soldiers protected the wall.
Most of that first wall has crumbled away. The wall that remains was built between 1368 and 1644. Then building stopped. Today, workers simply repair it. They want to keep the wall in good condition for the Chinese people. People come from all over the world to see the Great Wall. Isn't it interesting that a wall built to keep people out now draws thousands to China every year?
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. The Great Wall of China is an ancient building with an interesting history.
B. The Great Wall of China is made of thousands of bricks.
C. The Great Wall of China can be seen from outer space.
D. The Great Wall of China was once protected by a million soldiers.
2. Why did the Chinese leader order workers to build the Great Wall of China?
A. He did not want the Chinese people to leave China.
B. He wanted people from all over the world to visit it.
C. He wanted to make it the longest building in the world.
D. He wanted to protect China from its enemies.
3. Based on the passage, you can guess that the wall's towers and forts. . .
A. were first used by soldiers.
B. were built to give tourists a beautiful view.
C. have always given children a place to play.
D. have been standing longer than the wall itself.
4. Based on the passage, why might the Chinese people want to keep the Great Wall in good condition?
A. They plan to make it even longer.
B. They want space travelers to see it from space.
C. It is a part of Chinese history and culture.
D. It would be too much work to knock it down.
1. A. The Great Wall of China is an ancient building with an interesting history.
2. D. He wanted to protect China from its enemies.
3. A. were first used by soldiers.
4. C. It is a part of Chinese history and culture.
1. The main idea of the passage is: A. The Great Wall of China is an ancient building with an interesting history.
2. The Chinese leader ordered workers to build the Great Wall of China because: D. He wanted to protect China from its enemies.
3. Based on the passage, the wall's towers and forts were: A. first used by soldiers.
4. The Chinese people might want to keep the Great Wall in good condition because: C. It is a part of Chinese history and culture.