Reading Test Modules 3-4 On Screen B2

Read the text and choose the best answer, A, B, C or D

The City of the Gods

           Teotihuacan, meaning the city of the gods, is an ancient city located in the valley of Teotihuacan, 48 km northeast of Mexico City and is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico. Although archaeologists have dated the earliest buildings of the city to around 200 BCE, nothing is known about its founders and the history of the city remains a mystery. In the past, some archaeologists wrongly believed that the Toltec people established the city, but more recently others have suggested that the Totonac people founded it. Historians may not agree on who built the city but there is no doubt that it was very powerful and influential.

               Archaeological evidence suggests that the city of Teotihuacan reached its peak about 450 CE when it covered an area of 30 km² and had a population of up to 200,000 people. It was one of the largest and most advanced cities of its time. It was a centre of industry, home to many potters, jewellers and craftsmen and is known today for its great number of artefacts made from a type of volcanic rock. It is also believed that it controlled the trade of this rock and influenced art and architecture in neighbouring lands. Teotihuacan architectural styles can be found at many other sites across Mesoamerica and ancient Maya inscriptions show that the city’s nobility had contact with, and perhaps conquered, rulers from as far away as Honduras and Guatemala. However, by 650 CE the city had begun to decline and a century later was completely abandoned. Invasion, fire or revolution have been some of the theories put forward to explain why.

               Today, Teotihuacan is a spectacular place to visit. Tourists can climb the steps of the two main pyramids and marvel at the panoramic views of the city. The Pyramid of the Sun is 65 metres tall and dates to around 100 BCE. The Pyramid of the Moon offers a perfect view of the Avenue of the Dead, which splits the ancient city into two separate sections and served to gather rainwater and drain it away from other areas of the city. They can also access the holy caves that run beneath the pyramid and see ancient snake sculptures and sculpted masks of Tlaloc, the god of rain and maize, on display in the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. The Palace of the Jaguar and the Palace of the Quetzal-butterfly contain amazing jaguar murals and butterfly sculptures.

               Travellers can get to Teotihuacan from Mexico City by bus or car. It takes approximately 45 minutes by car on the toll motorway, but a little bit more by the older road that does not have toll posts. Tour buses also operate to and from Teotihuacan on a daily basis and public buses leave the Mexico City North Bus Station approximately every half an hour throughout the day. 

1. According to the texts, historians don’t know

      Teotihuacan, meaning the city of the gods, is an ancient city located in the valley of Teotihuacan, 48 km northeast of Mexico City and is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico. Although archaeologists have dated the earliest buildings of the city to around 200 BCE, nothing is known about its founders and the history of the city remains a mystery. In the past, some archaeologists wrongly believed that the Toltec people established the city, but more recently others have suggested that the Totonac people founded it. Historians may not agree on who built the city but there is no doubt that it was very powerful and influential.

               Archaeological evidence suggests that the city of Teotihuacan reached its peak about 450 CE when it covered an area of 30 km² and had a population of up to 200,000 people. It was one of the largest and most advanced cities of its time. It was a centre of industry, home to many potters, jewellers and craftsmen and is known today for its great number of artefacts made from a type of volcanic rock. It is also believed that it controlled the trade of this rock and influenced art and architecture in neighbouring lands. Teotihuacan architectural styles can be found at many other sites across Mesoamerica and ancient Maya inscriptions show that the city’s nobility had contact with, and perhaps conquered, rulers from as far away as Honduras and Guatemala. However, by 650 CE the city had begun to decline and a century later was completely abandoned. Invasion, fire or revolution have been some of the theories put forward to explain why.

               Today, Teotihuacan is a spectacular place to visit. Tourists can climb the steps of the two main pyramids and marvel at the panoramic views of the city. The Pyramid of the Sun is 65 metres tall and dates to around 100 BCE. The Pyramid of the Moon offers a perfect view of the Avenue of the Dead, which splits the ancient city into two separate sections and served to gather rainwater and drain it away from other areas of the city. They can also access the holy caves that run beneath the pyramid and see ancient snake sculptures and sculpted masks of Tlaloc, the god of rain and maize, on display in the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. The Palace of the Jaguar and the Palace of the Quetzal-butterfly contain amazing jaguar murals and butterfly sculptures.

               Travellers can get to Teotihuacan from Mexico City by bus or car. It takes approximately 45 minutes by car on the toll motorway, but a little bit more by the older road that does not have toll posts. Tour buses also operate to and from Teotihuacan on a daily basis and public buses leave the Mexico City North Bus Station approximately every half an hour throughout the day. 

2. The city was most powerful around      

The City of the Gods

           Teotihuacan, meaning the city of the gods, is an ancient city located in the valley of Teotihuacan, 48 km northeast of Mexico City and is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico. Although archaeologists have dated the earliest buildings of the city to around 200 BCE, nothing is known about its founders and the history of the city remains a mystery. In the past, some archaeologists wrongly believed that the Toltec people established the city, but more recently others have suggested that the Totonac people founded it. Historians may not agree on who built the city but there is no doubt that it was very powerful and influential.

               Archaeological evidence suggests that the city of Teotihuacan reached its peak about 450 CE when it covered an area of 30 km² and had a population of up to 200,000 people. It was one of the largest and most advanced cities of its time. It was a centre of industry, home to many potters, jewellers and craftsmen and is known today for its great number of artefacts made from a type of volcanic rock. It is also believed that it controlled the trade of this rock and influenced art and architecture in neighbouring lands. Teotihuacan architectural styles can be found at many other sites across Mesoamerica and ancient Maya inscriptions show that the city’s nobility had contact with, and perhaps conquered, rulers from as far away as Honduras and Guatemala. However, by 650 CE the city had begun to decline and a century later was completely abandoned. Invasion, fire or revolution have been some of the theories put forward to explain why.

               Today, Teotihuacan is a spectacular place to visit. Tourists can climb the steps of the two main pyramids and marvel at the panoramic views of the city. The Pyramid of the Sun is 65 metres tall and dates to around 100 BCE. The Pyramid of the Moon offers a perfect view of the Avenue of the Dead, which splits the ancient city into two separate sections and served to gather rainwater and drain it away from other areas of the city. They can also access the holy caves that run beneath the pyramid and see ancient snake sculptures and sculpted masks of Tlaloc, the god of rain and maize, on display in the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. The Palace of the Jaguar and the Palace of the Quetzal-butterfly contain amazing jaguar murals and butterfly sculptures.

               Travellers can get to Teotihuacan from Mexico City by bus or car. It takes approximately 45 minutes by car on the toll motorway, but a little bit more by the older road that does not have toll posts. Tour buses also operate to and from Teotihuacan on a daily basis and public buses leave the Mexico City North Bus Station approximately every half an hour throughout the day. 

3. The reason for the abandonment of the city is         

      Teotihuacan, meaning the city of the gods, is an ancient city located in the valley of Teotihuacan, 48 km northeast of Mexico City and is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico. Although archaeologists have dated the earliest buildings of the city to around 200 BCE, nothing is known about its founders and the history of the city remains a mystery. In the past, some archaeologists wrongly believed that the Toltec people established the city, but more recently others have suggested that the Totonac people founded it. Historians may not agree on who built the city but there is no doubt that it was very powerful and influential.

               Archaeological evidence suggests that the city of Teotihuacan reached its peak about 450 CE when it covered an area of 30 km² and had a population of up to 200,000 people. It was one of the largest and most advanced cities of its time. It was a centre of industry, home to many potters, jewellers and craftsmen and is known today for its great number of artefacts made from a type of volcanic rock. It is also believed that it controlled the trade of this rock and influenced art and architecture in neighbouring lands. Teotihuacan architectural styles can be found at many other sites across Mesoamerica and ancient Maya inscriptions show that the city’s nobility had contact with, and perhaps conquered, rulers from as far away as Honduras and Guatemala. However, by 650 CE the city had begun to decline and a century later was completely abandoned. Invasion, fire or revolution have been some of the theories put forward to explain why.

               Today, Teotihuacan is a spectacular place to visit. Tourists can climb the steps of the two main pyramids and marvel at the panoramic views of the city. The Pyramid of the Sun is 65 metres tall and dates to around 100 BCE. The Pyramid of the Moon offers a perfect view of the Avenue of the Dead, which splits the ancient city into two separate sections and served to gather rainwater and drain it away from other areas of the city. They can also access the holy caves that run beneath the pyramid and see ancient snake sculptures and sculpted masks of Tlaloc, the god of rain and maize, on display in the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. The Palace of the Jaguar and the Palace of the Quetzal-butterfly contain amazing jaguar murals and butterfly sculptures.

               Travellers can get to Teotihuacan from Mexico City by bus or car. It takes approximately 45 minutes by car on the toll motorway, but a little bit more by the older road that does not have toll posts. Tour buses also operate to and from Teotihuacan on a daily basis and public buses leave the Mexico City North Bus Station approximately every half an hour throughout the day. 

4. Where can a visitor see masks of a Teotihuacan  god?         

      Teotihuacan, meaning the city of the gods, is an ancient city located in the valley of Teotihuacan, 48 km northeast of Mexico City and is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico. Although archaeologists have dated the earliest buildings of the city to around 200 BCE, nothing is known about its founders and the history of the city remains a mystery. In the past, some archaeologists wrongly believed that the Toltec people established the city, but more recently others have suggested that the Totonac people founded it. Historians may not agree on who built the city but there is no doubt that it was very powerful and influential.

               Archaeological evidence suggests that the city of Teotihuacan reached its peak about 450 CE when it covered an area of 30 km² and had a population of up to 200,000 people. It was one of the largest and most advanced cities of its time. It was a centre of industry, home to many potters, jewellers and craftsmen and is known today for its great number of artefacts made from a type of volcanic rock. It is also believed that it controlled the trade of this rock and influenced art and architecture in neighbouring lands. Teotihuacan architectural styles can be found at many other sites across Mesoamerica and ancient Maya inscriptions show that the city’s nobility had contact with, and perhaps conquered, rulers from as far away as Honduras and Guatemala. However, by 650 CE the city had begun to decline and a century later was completely abandoned. Invasion, fire or revolution have been some of the theories put forward to explain why.

               Today, Teotihuacan is a spectacular place to visit. Tourists can climb the steps of the two main pyramids and marvel at the panoramic views of the city. The Pyramid of the Sun is 65 metres tall and dates to around 100 BCE. The Pyramid of the Moon offers a perfect view of the Avenue of the Dead, which splits the ancient city into two separate sections and served to gather rainwater and drain it away from other areas of the city. They can also access the holy caves that run beneath the pyramid and see ancient snake sculptures and sculpted masks of Tlaloc, the god of rain and maize, on display in the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. The Palace of the Jaguar and the Palace of the Quetzal-butterfly contain amazing jaguar murals and butterfly sculptures.

               Travellers can get to Teotihuacan from Mexico City by bus or car. It takes approximately 45 minutes by car on the toll motorway, but a little bit more by the older road that does not have toll posts. Tour buses also operate to and from Teotihuacan on a daily basis and public buses leave the Mexico City North Bus Station approximately every half an hour throughout the day. 

5. What is the main purpose of the text?