Lesson 6

Reading and speaking

1. Read the report and match the parts 1-4 with the headings a-d.

a. Where is Cleopatra's Needle?

b. How did it get to this country?

c. How old is it?

d. How big is it?

1. Cleopatra's Needle is a large and important stone with beautiful designs on it. You can see it next to the River Thames in London, England. a

2. The Ancient Egyptians made the stone for Pharaoh Thutmose III and it is about 3,500 years old. c

3. The stone is more than 20 metres high and weighs about 200,000 kilograms. d

4. The British made a special ship for the stone in 1877. While the ship was travelling to London, it nearly sank in a storm. Another ship helped the stone to arrive in England a year later. b

2. Read the report again and answer the questions.

1. What can you see on Cleopatra's Needle? We can see beautiful designs.

2. Who did the Ancient Egyptians make it for? They made it for pharaoh Thutmose.

3. Why do you think the British needed a special ship for Cleopatra's Needle? They needed a special ship because it is a large and important stone.

4. What nearly happened to the stone in 1877? It was nearly lost/nearly sank in a storm.

3. Discuss the question in groups.

Do you think it is good that Egyptian monuments like this are in other countries? why? why not?

It is good because other people can see these objects; other people can learn about Ancient Egypt.

It is bad because: People in Egypt cannot see the objects; they are often very valuable and should remain in Egypt, where local people can look after them.