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Machu Picchu is one of the world's most impressive historical sites. It was built around 1450 by the Incas, who ruled most of South America at that time. They called themselves children of the Sun, the powerful god they worshipped as the source of light and life.
impressive =让人印象深刻的
historical site = 历史遗迹
Incas = 印加人
rule = 统治
worshipp = 崇拜，尊崇
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Located in the Andes Mountains of Peru, at 8,000 feet above sea level, the"City of the Incas" was mysteriously abandoned just 100 years after its construction. This was when the Spanish were beginning their conquest of the Inca Empire, in the 1530's. There is no evidence that the Spanish invaders ever attacked or even reached the mountaintop city, so many believe that the city's inhabitants deserted the site because of a small pox epidemic.
Andes Mountains = 安第斯山脉
abandoned = 废弃的
conquest = 征服
inhabitant = 居民
small pox epidemic = 天花疫情
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The city was almost forgotten until 1911 when it was discovered by an American historian, Hiram Bingham, after he heard rumors of its existence. Bingham was led to the site by local farmers and was amazed by what he saw, which seemed like an unbelievable dream. He wondered if anyone would believe what he had found. Though the surrounding jungle had overgrown the site, what remained was impressive. The city had been built on a remote and nearly inaccessible mountaintop, often shrouded in clouds. Forty rows of farming terraces hugged the steep mountainside, each over 10 feet high and linked together by over 3000 stone steps. Among the city were what appeared to be neighborhoods of homes and exquisite stone buildings that are thought to be temples. Even today, the mystery remains as to the purpose of these temples, how the city was used and what its citizens did.
overgrow = 长满
inaccessible = 难以抵达的，到不了的
shroud = 隐藏，覆盖，笼罩
terrace = 梯田
exquisite = 精致的
temple = 寺庙
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Despite its remote location, Machu Picchu has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Every year, thousands of people travel to Peru to admire its magnificent stonework and breath taking design. What they see is a wonderful harmony between the city and the landscape around it that is captivating.
tourist destination = 旅游胜地，旅游目的地
captivating = 迷人的，有吸引力的
Exercises:
1. As a piece of writing this article succeeds in expressing the author's fascination with the site.
2. How did the American historian find the site?
>> He was led to the site by local farmers.
3. If something is remote it is far away.
4. If something is inaccessible, it is difficult to reach.
5. To admire something means to look at it with respect.
6. Exquisite means about the same thing as extremely beautiful.
6. What led to the discovery of the city?
>> An American historian heard rumors of its existence.
7. How does the author describe the relationship between the city and landscape around it? (harmonious)
Please tap the first correct sentence to appear:
1. What was the purpose of the temples?
>> Even today, the mystery remains as to the purpose of these temples, how the city was used and what its citizens did.
2. When was the city build?
>> It was built around 1450 by the Incas, who ruled most of South America at that time.
3. What do the Incas call themselves?
>> They called themselves children of the Sun, the powerful god they worshipped as the source of light and life.
4. Who conquer the Incar Empire?
>> This was when the Spanish were beginning their conquest of the Inca Empire, in the 1530's.
Fill in the blanks:
1. Among the city were what appeared to be neighborhoods of homes and exquisite stone buildings that are thought to be temples. Even today, the mystery remains as to the purpose of these temples, how the city was used and what its citizens did.
2. Though the surrounding jungle had overgrown the site, what remained was impressive. The city had been built on a remote and nearly inaccessible mountaintop, often shrouded in clouds. Forty rows of farming terraces hugged the steep mountainside, each over 10 feet high and linked together by over 3000 stone steps. Among the city were what appeared to be neighborhoods of homes and exquisite stone buildings that are thought to be temples.
Put the sentences below in order:
(1) Among the city were what appeared to be neighborhoods of homes and exquisite stone buildings that are thought to be temples.
(2) Forty rows of farming terraces hugged the steep mountainside, each over 10 feet high and linked together by over 3000 stone steps.
(3) Even today, the mystery remains as to the purpose of these temples, how the city was used and what its citizens did.
(4) The city had been built on a remote and nearly inaccessible mountaintop, often shrouded in clouds.
Correct Order: (4) (2) (1) (3)
Repeat & Read Sentences:
1. Though the surrounding jungle had overgrown the site, what remained was impressive.
2. An American historian discovered the city after he heard rumors of its existence.
3. The American historian was led to the site by local farmers.
4. Even today, the mystery remains as to the purpose of these temples, how the city was used and what its citizens did.
5. Every year, thousands of people travel to Peru to admire its magnificent stonework and breath taking design.
6. The author of the article sees a wonderful harmony between the city and the landscape around it.
