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Read the following passages carefully and then fill
in the blanks with one correct or best
answer. |
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The Lighthouse of Alexandria |
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The earliest lighthouses were simply bonfires built
on hillsides to ___1___
ships. The first lighthouse, ___2___
on the ancient island of Pharos, served the old
world city of Alexandria in 285 BC. Of the Seven
Wonders of the Ancient World, the Lighthouse of
Alexandria was the ___3___
one that had a practical ___4___ in
addition to its architectural elegance. For sailors,
it ensured a ___5___
return to the Great Harbor. For architects, it was
the tallest building on earth at its time. And for
scientists, it was the mysterious mirror that ___6___
them most. The ___7___
of the sun's rays could be seen more than 50
kilometers offshore. Legend has it that the mirror
was also used to detect and burn enemy ships before
they could ___8___
the shore.
Shortly after the death of Alexander the Great,
his commander Ptolemy Soter assumed power and
established his capital in Alexandria. Off the
city's coast lay the small island of Pharos. Due to
the ___9___
sailing conditions, the construction of a lighthouse
was seen as being ___10___.
The project was begun by Ptolemy Soter around 290
B.C. but was only completed ___11___
his death, during the reign of his son, Ptolemy
Philadelphus. For centuries, the Lighthouse of
Alexandria was used to mark the harbor, using fire
at night and reflecting the ___12___
rays during the day. It was even shown on Roman
coins, just as ___13___
monuments are depicted on currency today.
Although the Lighthouse of Alexandria did not ___14___
to this present day, it left behind its influence.
From an architectural standpoint, the monument has
been used as a ___15___
for many prototypes along the Mediterranean. And
from a linguistic standpoint, it gave its name,
Pharos, to all the lighthouses in the world. |
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| Answers |
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The earliest lighthouses were simply bonfires built on hillsides
to guide ships. The first
lighthouse, located/found on
the ancient island of Pharos, served the old world city of
Alexandria in 285 BC. Of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World, the Lighthouse of Alexandria was the
only one that had a
practical use/function in
addition to its architectural elegance. For sailors, it ensured
a safe return to the Great
Harbor. For architects, it was the tallest building on earth at
its time. And for scientists, it was the mysterious mirror that
fascinated them most. The
reflection of the sun's rays
could be seen more than 50 kilometers offshore. Legend has it
that the mirror was also used to detect and burn enemy ships
before they could reach the
shore.
Shortly after the death of Alexander the Great, his commander
Ptolemy Soter assumed power and established his capital in
Alexandria. Off the city's coast lay the small island of Pharos.
Due to the dangerous sailing
conditions, the construction of a lighthouse was seen as being
necessary/needed.
The project was begun by Ptolemy Soter around 290
B.C. but was only completed
after his death, during the reign of
his son, Ptolemy Philadelphus. For centuries, the
Lighthouse of Alexandria was used to mark the
harbor, using fire at night and reflecting the
sun's rays
during the day. It was even shown on Roman coins,
just as famous
monuments are depicted on currency today.
Although the Lighthouse of Alexandria did not
survive to this present day,
it left behind its influence. From an architectural standpoint,
the monument has been used as a
model/example for many prototypes along the
Mediterranean. And from a linguistic standpoint, it gave its
name, Pharos, to all the lighthouses in the world. |
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