In the mountainous rain forest of Peru sits one of the world's greatest treasures: Machu Picchu. Known as the "Lost City of the Incas," Machu Picchu is an ancient stone village built sometime in the 1400s. When the Spanish conquered the Incan empire, they missed Machu Picchu. It was too well hidden in the jungle. The Incas abandoned the city, but it was not destroyed. Eventually, the jungle grew over the city, and the city was forgotten for over 400 years.
In 1911, Hiram Bingham was led to Machu Picchu by Peruvian natives. Bingham was a historian at Yale University in the United States. Though the jungle had taken over, Bingham knew that he had found something spectacular. He led the excavation and restoration of the city and took away many items for study.
The architecture is what Machu Picchu is most known for. The buildings were constructed of heavy stones brought from far below up to the top of the mountain. They were designed according to the location of the Sun, stars, and the Moon at certain times of the year. A visit to Machu Picchu amazes most visitors, thinking about the abilities of such an ancient civilization.
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Which of these is the best summary of the first paragraph?
A.
Machu Picchu was forgotten for over 400 years because it was so well hidden in the mountains and jungle.
B.
Machu Picchu was not conquered by Spanish invaders because of its location, but it was later abandoned by the Incas.
C.
Machu Picchu is an important treasure that was built in the 1400s high in the mountains of Peru and was lost in the jungle.
D.
Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan city in Peru that was abandoned, overlooked by invaders, and lost for over 400 years.
D. Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan city in Peru that was abandoned, overlooked by invaders, and lost for over 400 years.
excerpt adapted from Frederick Douglass: A Biography
by National Park Service
In his journey from captive slave to internationally renowned activist, Frederick Douglass has been a source of inspiration and hope for millions. His brilliant words and selfless actions continue to shape the ways in which we think about race, democracy, and the meaning of freedom.
In 1861, the nation erupted into civil war over the issue of slavery. Frederick Douglass worked tirelessly to make sure that emancipation would be one of the war's outcomes. He recruited African-American men to fight in the U.S. Army, including two of his own sons. His sons served in the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. When black troops protested they were not receiving pay and treatment equal to that of white troops, Douglass went into action. He met with President Abraham Lincoln to lobby on their behalf.
As the Civil War progressed, emancipation seemed forthcoming, and Douglass intensified the fight for equal citizenship. He argued that freedom would be empty if former slaves were not guaranteed the rights and protections of American citizens. A series of postwar amendments sought to make some of these tremendous changes. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery. The 14th Amendment granted national birthright citizenship. The 15th Amendment stated that no one could be denied voting rights on the basis of race, skin color, or previous servitude.
In 1872, Douglass moved his family to Washington, D.C. There were multiple reasons for their move. Douglass had been traveling frequently to the area ever since the Civil War. All three of their sons already lived in the federal district, and the old family home in Rochester had burned down. A widely known public figure by the time of Reconstruction, Douglass started to hold prestigious offices. These included assistant secretary of the Santo Domingo Commission, legislative council member of the D.C. Territorial Government, board member of Howard University, and president of the Freedman's Bank.
After the fall of Reconstruction, Frederick Douglass managed to retain high-ranking federal appointments. He served under five presidents as U.S. Marshal for D.C. (1877-1881), Recorder of Deeds for D.C. (1881-1886), and Minister Resident and Consul General to Haiti (1889-1891). Significantly, he held these positions at a time when violence and fraud severely restricted African-American political activism.
Frederick Douglass died on February 20, 1895, at the age of 77. His relentless struggle for equality against insufferable obstacles makes Douglass a Titan among historical figures.
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Why is Douglass compared to a Titan?
A.
to show the fight for equality has its roots in myths
B.
to show that Douglass was as strong as a giant
C.
to explain that Douglass had difficult beginnings
D.
to emphasize the importance of Douglass’s work
D. to emphasize the importance of Douglass’s work
To determine the best summary of the first paragraph, let's review the key points mentioned.
1. Machu Picchu is located in the mountainous rainforest of Peru.
2. It is known as the "Lost City of the Incas" and was built in the 1400s.
3. The Spanish invaders missed Machu Picchu while conquering the Incan empire.
4. The city was abandoned by the Incas but not destroyed.
5. Over 400 years passed, and the city was forgotten as the jungle grew over it.
Looking at the options:
A. This option accurately mentions that Machu Picchu was forgotten for over 400 years because it was well hidden in the mountains and jungle. However, it does not mention other important details like its construction, its abandonment, and its significance as a treasure.
B. This option mentions that Machu Picchu was not conquered by Spanish invaders because of its location and was later abandoned by the Incas. However, it does not mention its construction, its history of being lost and forgotten, or its significance as a treasure.
C. This option mentions that Machu Picchu is an important treasure built in the 1400s high in the mountains of Peru and lost in the jungle. This summary captures the main points mentioned in the paragraph and includes its construction, abandonment, and significance as a treasure.
D. This option mentions that Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan city that was abandoned, overlooked by invaders, and lost for over 400 years. While it includes the key points, it does not mention its construction or its significance as a treasure.
Based on these analyses, the best summary of the first paragraph is:
C. Machu Picchu is an important treasure that was built in the 1400s high in the mountains of Peru and was lost in the jungle.