The Pyramid of Cestius
Read The Pyramid of Cestius and check the IELTS Reading answers. Though Rome draws tourists from around the world to its many impressive sites, one notable monument there has never attracted nearly as much interest: The Pyramid of Cestius. But why would there be a pyramid in Italy? After the Roman…
Passage preview
Though Rome draws tourists from around the world to its many impressive sites, one notable monument there has never attracted nearly as much interest: The Pyramid of Cestius. But why would there be a pyramid in Italy? After the Roman conquest of Egypt in 30 B.C., Egyptian architectural style became the fashion in Rome.
Vocabulary from this passage
6 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- entrepreneur noun
A person who organizes and operates a business, taking on financial risks.
A Japanese entrepreneur donated millions of euros to fund the renovation of the pyramid.
- excavation noun
The action of excavating something, especially an archaeological site.
During the excavation of the site, workers found fragments of ancient bronze statues.
- fresco noun
A painting done rapidly in watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling.
Visitors can still see the ancient frescoes of the goddess Victoria inside the tomb.
- notable adjective
Worthy of attention or notice; remarkable.
The Pyramid of Cestius is a notable monument that is often overlooked by tourists.
- obelisk noun
A stone pillar, typically having a square or rectangular cross-section and a pyramidal top.
Many obelisks were erected in Rome following the fashion for Egyptian-style architecture.
- prohibit verb
Formally forbid something by law, rule, or other authority.
Strict Roman laws used to prohibit the burial of citizens within the city walls.
Answers with explanations
- 1. FALSE
The answer is **FALSE**. The passage explicitly states that while other sites in Rome are popular, the Pyramid of Cestius has '**never attracted nearly as much interest**,' contradicting the claim that it has always been a top attraction.
- 2. NOT GIVEN
The answer is **NOT GIVEN**. While the text mentions that Cestius ordered the work to be finished in 330 days, it does **not provide information** on whether the pyramid was actually completed before or after his **death**.
- 2-3: einkorn wheat
2: The answer is **NOT GIVEN**. While the text mentions that Cestius ordered the work to be finished in 330 days, it does **not provide information** on whether the pyramid was actually completed before or after his **death**.
3: The answer is **TRUE**. The text confirms that during the **Middle Ages**, people believed the pyramid was the burial site of Romulus or Remus, whom they considered the **founders** (men who established the city) of Rome.
- 3. TRUE
The answer is **TRUE**. The text confirms that during the **Middle Ages**, people believed the pyramid was the burial site of Romulus or Remus, whom they considered the **founders** (men who established the city) of Rome.
- 3-4: F
3: The answer is **TRUE**. The text confirms that during the **Middle Ages**, people believed the pyramid was the burial site of Romulus or Remus, whom they considered the **founders** (men who established the city) of Rome.
4: The answer is **FALSE**. The passage states that because the foundations are below street level and near heavy traffic, people '**could easily fail to notice**' its height. This contradicts the statement that they notice it immediately.
- 4. FALSE
The answer is **FALSE**. The passage states that because the foundations are below street level and near heavy traffic, people '**could easily fail to notice**' its height. This contradicts the statement that they notice it immediately.
- 5. NOT GIVEN
- 6. TRUE
The answer is **TRUE**. The passage specifically mentions that the recent **restoration** funded by Yagi was finished '**ahead of schedule**,' which is another way of saying it was completed earlier than expected.
- 7. FALSE
The answer is **FALSE**. The passage mentions that while some **frescoes** (Victoria and vases) remain, the '**majority have disappeared**' over time, contradicting the idea that most of them have survived.
- 8. Carrara
The answer is **Carrara**. The text describes the **construction** materials, specifying that the outer layer was made of a specific type of **marble** called Carrara. This is a one-word noun acting as a modifier for 'marble'.
- 9. shape
The answer is **shape**. The author points out that because the pyramid is so steep, its overall **shape** differs from the more traditional, less steep **Egyptian pyramids** that served as the original inspiration.
- 10. countryside
The answer is **countryside**. At the time it was built, Roman law forbade tombs inside the city. Therefore, the monument was located in the **countryside**, which was then outside the city limits before Rome expanded.
- 11. statues
The answer is **statues**. During the 1660s **excavations**, workers found marble bases and pieces of broken bronze **statues** that were originally positioned on either side of the monument. This fits the 'broken' and 'found next to it' description.
- 12. tunnel
The answer is **tunnel**. The discovery of a **tunnel** led researchers to conclude that **robbers** had entered the burial chamber in the past to steal the remains and treasures, as the burial urn was missing.
- 13. pollution
The answer is **pollution**. The passage notes that climbers are needed to clean the marble exterior to get rid of the buildup caused by **urban pollution**, which is a recurring problem for monuments in modern cities.