📖 READING EVALUATION
The Great Wall of China
📋 20 Exercises · Inference & Comprehension🏯 The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is one of the most impressive architectural achievements in human history. Stretching over 21,000 kilometers, it winds across mountains, deserts, and plains in northern China. The wall was not built as a single structure, but as a series of walls and fortifications built by different Chinese dynasties over many centuries.
The primary purpose of the Great Wall was defense. It was built to protect the Chinese empire from invasions by nomadic groups from the north, such as the Mongols. However, the wall also served other functions. It helped control trade along the Silk Road, allowed for the regulation of immigration and emigration, and served as a way to monitor and tax goods entering the empire.
The construction of the wall began as early as the 7th century BC, but the most famous sections were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). During this period, the wall was fortified with watchtowers, barracks, and signaling systems. The Ming section is the best-preserved and most visited part of the wall today.
Building the Great Wall was a monumental task. It required the labor of soldiers, peasants, and prisoners. Many workers lost their lives during the construction. In some sections, the remains of workers are said to be buried within the wall itself, giving it the nickname “the longest cemetery on Earth.”
What is inference? It is reading between the lines to find information that the author does not state directly.
Example: If the text says “Many workers lost their lives during the construction,” you can infer that the construction was dangerous and cost many lives.
Today, the Great Wall of China is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of China’s enduring strength and resilience. It attracts millions of tourists each year who come to walk along its ancient paths and reflect on the efforts of those who built it. The wall remains a powerful reminder of human determination and the ability to create structures that stand the test of time.