Cleopatra's beauty secrets. Reading comprehension task, grade 9

The 6 Beauty Secrets of Cleopatra Written  by Myesha Ali

 

Cleopatra played by Elizabeth Taylor

When the romantic femme fatale of history is brought to mind, Cleopatra VII often sets the standard in credit to her famous love affairs with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. According to Roman propaganda, her reputation of being a temptress was due to using her physical appeal as a political weapon, but Egyptian sources simultaneously confirm that her outward beauty was due to her intellect in languages and politics, and her irresistible charm that hooked people instantly. She often has a flair for the dramatic, one of her most famous instances being when she presented herself as Aphrodite during her first meeting with Mark Antony. As she sat beneath a gilded canopy, fanned by cupids and amidst sweet incense, Mark Antony became instantly enchanted.

Cleopatra believed herself to be nothing short of a living goddess, and her beauty secrets proved just how ethereal she considered herself to be. To this day, most of her skincare rituals have been tried and built upon from people all around the world, the most famous ingredients involved in the beauty trials being these six:

1.  Milk Baths:

The lactic acid in milk is known to exfoliate and rejuvenate the skin. Cleopatra's twist? She would bathe in the milk of 700 donkeys! This luxurious treatment was said to leave her skin feeling soft and supple.

2.  Dead Sea Salt Scrubs:

Cleopatra was a big fan of using Dead Sea salts to exfoliate her skin. The high mineral content of these salts is known to help detoxify and purify the skin.

3.  Honey Masks:

Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture. Cleopatra used honey masks to keep her skin hydrated and glowing.

4.  Rosewater Toner:

Rosewater is a natural astringent, which means it helps to tighten pores and balance the skin's pH. Cleopatra used rosewater as a toner to keep her skin looking clear and radiant.

5.  Kohl Eyeliner:

Kohl eyeliner is made from a mixture of soot and other ingredients. It was used by the ancient Egyptians to line their eyes and create a dramatic look. Cleopatra was no exception, and she often wore kohl eyeliner to accentuate her eyes.

6.  Henna Hair Dye:

Henna is a natural dye that has been used for centuries to color hair and skin. Cleopatra used henna to dye her hair a deep, rich red.

So there you have it, the six beauty secrets of Cleopatra! While some of these treatments may seem a bit out there, there's no denying that they worked for her. So why not give them a try yourself and see if you can achieve the same radiant glow?

 

By Myesha Ali

 

40 Whisperings of Anna. March/April 2021

 

Vocabulary 

1.           Femme fatale- A woman who is very attractive and uses her looks to get what she wants.

2.           Propaganda - Information that is spread to try to influence people's opinions, which may not be completely true.

3.           Ethereal-  Very light, delicate, and almost magical.

4.           Humectant - Something that helps keep things wet or moist.

5.           Astringent - Something that helps to tighten the skin.

 

Reading Comprehension Tasks:

I.    Question Task (Answer in complete sentences):

1.      According to the article, what was Cleopatra's reputation based on Roman propaganda?

2.      What did Egyptian sources say about Cleopatra's beauty?

3.      What goddess did Cleopatra portray during her first meeting with Mark Antony?

4.      What is the benefit of lactic acid found in milk, as stated in the article?

5.      How many donkeys' milk did Cleopatra use for her baths?

6.      What is the benefit of Dead Sea salt for the skin?

7.      What does it mean for honey to be a "humectant"?

8.      What is the benefit of rosewater as a toner?

9.      What ingredients is kohl eyeliner made from?

10.   What natural dye did Cleopatra use for her hair?

II.   True or False Task (Write "True" or "False"):

1.      Cleopatra's beauty was solely based on her physical appearance.

2.      Cleopatra presented herself as Athena to Mark Antony.

3.      Cleopatra believed she was a living goddess.

4.      Cleopatra used cow's milk for her baths.

5.      Dead Sea salt helps to detoxify the skin.

6.      Honey helps to dry out the skin.

7.      Rosewater helps to open pores.

8.      Kohl eyeliner was used for a dramatic look.

9.      Cleopatra dyed her hair blonde.

10.   The article encourages readers to try Cleopatra's beauty secrets.

III.  Complete the Sentences:

1.      According to Roman propaganda, Cleopatra used her physical appeal as a _______ _______.

2.      Cleopatra's meeting with Mark Antony involved sweet _______ and being fanned by _______.

3.      Cleopatra's milk baths contained the milk of _______ _______.

4.      Dead Sea salt is known for its high _______ content.

5.      Honey helps keep the skin _______ and _______.

6.      Rosewater helps to tighten _______ and balance the skin's _______.

7.      Kohl eyeliner is made from soot and other _______.

8.      Cleopatra used _______ to dye her hair a rich red.

9.      Cleopatra believed herself to be a living _______.

10.   The article describes Cleopatra as a romantic _______ _______. IV. Matching Halves of the Phrases:

Match the beginning of the phrase with the correct ending:

1.    Cleopatra bathed in... a. and retain moisture.

2.    Dead Sea salt helps... b. a political weapon.

3.    Honey attracts... c. to detoxify skin.

4.    Rosewater helps... d. the milk of 700 donkeys.

5.    Kohl eyeliner was used... e. to tighten pores.

6.    Henna was used... f. to portray Aphrodite.

7.    Cleopatra used her beauty as... g. for a dramatic look.

8.    She presented herself... h. to dye her hair.

9.    She was considered a... i. femme fatale.

10.  Lactic acid helps... j. to rejuvenate skin.

 

 

Answer Key (For your reference): I. Question Task:

*  According to Roman propaganda, her reputation was due to using her physical appeal as a political weapon.

*  Egyptian sources said her beauty was due to her intellect, charm, and political skills.

*  Cleopatra portrayed Aphrodite.

*  Lactic acid helps to exfoliate and rejuvenate the skin.

*  Cleopatra used the milk of 700 donkeys.

*  Dead Sea salt helps to detoxify and purify the skin.

*  A humectant attracts and retains moisture.

*  Rosewater helps to tighten pores and balance the skin's pH.

*  Kohl eyeliner is made from soot and other ingredients.

*  Cleopatra used henna to dye her hair.

II. True or False Task:

*  False

*  False

*  True

*  True

*  True

*  False

*  False  * True

*  False

*  True

III. Complete the Sentences:

*  political weapon

*  incense, cupids

*  700 donkeys

*  mineral

*  hydrated, glowing

*  pores, pH

*  ingredients

*  henna

*  goddess

*  femme fatale

IV. Matching Halves of the Phrases:

*  d

*  c

*  a

*  e  * g

*  h

*  b  * f  * i

*  j