Reading Passage: The Rise and Fall of the Mayan Civilization
The Maya civilization, one of the most advanced Mesoamerican cultures, thrived in present-day Mexico and Central America from around 2000 BC to 900 AD. Their society was characterized by remarkable achievements in art, architecture, mathematics, astronomy, and agriculture.
The Mayan people were skilled architects, constructing impressive pyramids and temples that served as centers for religious and ceremonial activities. These structures often aligned with celestial events, showcasing the Maya's sophisticated knowledge of astronomy. They developed a complex calendar system based on cycles of the sun, moon, and planets, allowing them to predict eclipses and other astronomical phenomena with remarkable accuracy.
In addition to their architectural and astronomical prowess, the Maya excelled in agriculture. They devised innovative farming techniques such as terracing and irrigation to cultivate crops like maize, beans, and squash. The surplus food produced by their agricultural innovations supported a burgeoning population and enabled the development of urban centers with bustling markets and skilled artisans.
Despite their many achievements, the Maya civilization faced a mysterious decline starting around the 9th century AD. Scholars have proposed various theories for this enigmatic collapse, including overpopulation, environmental degradation, warfare, and drought. The abandonment of major cities and ceremonial sites suggests a societal upheaval that led to the disintegration of centralized power structures.
Questions:
1. What is one of the main characteristics of the Mayan civilization mentioned in the passage?
A) Mastery of metallurgy
B) Advancements in art and architecture
C) Nomadic lifestyle
D) Lack of writing system
2. According to the passage, what was a key feature of Mayan temples and pyramids?
A) Advanced irrigation systems
B) Alignment with astronomical events
C) Lack of religious significance
D) Simple geometric shapes
3. Based on the passage, what was a significant contribution of the Maya in the field of astronomy?
A) Development of the wheel
B) Invention of the telescope
C) Creation of a sophisticated calendar system
D) Discovery of electricity
4. What factor is NOT mentioned as a possible reason for the decline of the Maya civilization?
A) Overpopulation
B) Environmental degradation
C) Peaceful relations with neighboring societies
D) Warfare
5. From the passage, it can be inferred that the Maya civilization
A) had limited knowledge of agricultural practices
B) had little interest in celestial events
C) developed intricate systems for predicting astronomical events
D) relied heavily on imported food
6. What is the primary purpose of the passage?
A) To advocate for the revival of the Maya civilization
B) To provide a summary of Mayan religious practices
C) To inform readers about the achievements and decline of the Maya civilization
D) To critique the architectural style of Maya pyramids
7. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
A) The Fall of the Roman Empire
B) The Rise of the Inca Civilization
C) The Legacy of the Maya Civilization
D) The Industrial Revolution
8. Which of the following statements is supported by the information in the passage?
A) The Maya civilization lasted for over 2000 years
B) The Maya were known for their expertise in metallurgy
C) The Maya were unable to predict astronomical events accurately
D) The decline of the Maya civilization remains a complete mystery
9. Where in the passage would the following sentence best fit?
"Despite their advancements in various fields, the Maya civilization eventually faced a period of decline and abandonment."
A) After the discussion on Mayan agricultural innovations
B) Before the description of Mayan pyramids and temples
C) After the mention of possible reasons for the Maya decline
D) Before the introduction of the Maya civilization
10. Summary Question:
What were the main achievements of the Maya civilization as discussed in the passage?
A) Skilled architects, sophisticated calendar system, innovative farming techniques
B) Metallurgic advancements, nomadic lifestyle, peaceful relations with neighboring societies
C) Development of the wheel, lack of writing system, reliance on imported food
Answer Key:
1. (B)
2. (B)
3. (C)
4. (C)
5. (C)
6. (C)
7. (C)
8. (A)
9. (C)
10. (A), (B), (C)
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