The Pyramids: A First Look

In the news: The story

Read a 82-word news story: The pyramids are 4,500 years old. And they are still here.

The pyramids are in Egypt, near the city of Cairo. They are in the desert. The biggest one is the Great Pyramid. It is enormous: about 140 metres tall. People built the pyramids about 4,500 years ago. That is very, very old. There were no cars, no machines and no computers. People used stone, wood, rope and their hands. The pyramids were tombs. A king was buried inside with gold, food and beautiful things. Today, millions of tourists visit them every year.

Vocabulary: Words to know

6 items

Discussion: Look at the picture

2 discussion questions

• What can you see in the picture? Describe the colours, the sky and the sand.
• Is it hot or cold there? Is it morning or evening? How do you know?

Discussion: Your life

3 discussion questions

• Have you seen the pyramids? Do you want to go to Egypt one day?
• What is the oldest building in your town or city? How old is it?
• What do you like to visit on holiday: old places or new places?

Discussion: Imagine

3 discussion questions

• Imagine you are a worker 4,500 years ago. It is hot. You are moving a big stone. How do you feel?
• The king put gold and food in his tomb. What three things do you want to keep with you forever?
• Do you think people 4,500 years ago were the same as us, or different?