Roman Builders Reading Worksheet Name:
Date:
Reading Comprehension
Ancient History • Architecture
Roman Architecture Is All Around
Discover how ancient Roman buildings shape our world today!
Have you ever seen a big building with curved doorways or tall stone columns? Long ago, the people of ancient Rome built amazing structures. The way a building is designed is called architecture . In the author's opinion, architecture is the most important gift the Romans gave to our world!
The Roman Colosseum
The Roman Colosseum was like a giant sports stadium. It was round and had seats for thousands of cheering fans. Long ago, people went there to watch fighters and wild animals. Today, our modern football and soccer stadiums are built in round shapes just like the Colosseum!
Strong Stone Arches
The Romans were one of the most creative groups of builders in history. They used arches in their bridges and walls. An arch has a curved top over a door or window. The curved stones press tightly together so the arch can hold up very heavy roofs. Today, you can still spot arches in libraries, churches, and schools.
Water Bridges Called Aqueducts
Romans also invented the aqueduct . An aqueduct is a bridge with pipes supported by arches. It uses gravity to move clean water downhill from high mountains straight into towns. Large cities in the United States, like Los Angeles, still use long aqueducts to carry water from rivers far away!
The Roman Empire ended long ago, but their ideas are still standing strong. Look around your neighborhood—you might just spot Roman architecture near you!
Words to Know
architecture The special style and design of a building.
arch A curved shape that holds up heavy walls.
aqueduct A long channel that carries water into cities.
Unit 4 • Roman Architecture Assessment Page 1 of 2
Comprehension Check
Questions: Roman Architecture Is All Around
Name:
Score: _____ / 5
Directions: Read each question carefully. Bubble in the letter next to the best answer. 5 Questions
1. What does the author think is the most important gift Rome gave to our world?
A Sports contests and games
B Architecture and building styles
C Mountain roads and maps
D Gold coins and treasure
2. An opinion tells what someone believes or feels. Which sentence is an opinion?
A The Romans were the most creative builders.
B The Colosseum was round in shape.
C An arch is curved at the top.
D Aqueducts carry water using pipes.
3. A fact can be proven true. Which sentence from the passage is a fact?
A Watching fighters at the Colosseum was fun.
B Aqueducts use gravity to carry water downhill.
C Stone arches are the prettiest shapes in a city.
D Roman buildings look cooler than new buildings.
4. How are modern football stadiums like the Roman Colosseum?
A They are built out of wood logs and mud.
B They are round and hold thousands of fans.
C They are only used to store fresh water.
D They do not have any seats for people.
5. Why did ancient Romans build aqueducts?
A To bring fresh water from mountains to cities
B To keep wild animals out of the streets
C To give horses a flat track for racing
D To block wind from hitting schools
Reading Comprehension • Key Details & Author's Point Page 2 of 2
Latin Language Reading Worksheet Name:
Date:
Reading Comprehension
Ancient History • Language
Let's Learn Latin!
Discover how an ancient language is still alive in the words we use!
Long ago, the people of the Roman Empire spoke a language called Latin . Roman soldiers and leaders traveled to many faraway lands. In the author's opinion, the Latin language is clearly the greatest gift Rome gave to our world because we still use it today!
How Latin Spread Far and Wide
As the ancient Romans conquered new lands, their language spread quickly. People in defeated tribes began to speak Latin because it was the most important language of trade and law. Over time, millions of people used Latin to talk, write laws, and share stories. Even the letters in our English alphabet come from the Latin writing system!
Languages That Grew From Latin
As time passed, Latin mixed with other local languages across Europe. It soon became known as the language of educated scholars. Today, people in countries like Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, and Romania speak languages that grew directly out of Latin. If you learn Spanish or French, you are speaking words built from ancient Latin!
Secret Word Clues in English
English also has deep ties to Latin. Many English root words , word beginnings, and word endings come straight from Latin. For example, doctors and scientists still use Latin words to name bones and medicines. When students learn Latin root words, they can decode new and tricky words like word detectives!
The Roman Empire ended long ago, but Latin never disappeared. It lives on every single day in the books we read and the words we speak!
Words to Know
Latin The ancient language first spoken by the Romans.
root word A basic word part that gives a clue to its meaning.
decode To figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word.
Unit 4 • Latin Language Assessment Page 1 of 2
Comprehension Check
Questions: Let's Learn Latin!
Name:
Score: _____ / 5
Directions: Read each question carefully. Bubble in the letter next to the best answer. 5 Questions
1. What is the author's opinion of the Latin language?
A It is too hard for students to learn today.
B It is the greatest gift of the Roman Empire.
C It should only be spoken by Roman soldiers.
D It is not useful for anyone in modern times.
2. An opinion tells what someone thinks or feels. Which sentence is an opinion?
A Latin is clearly the best contribution from Rome.
B The English alphabet uses Latin letters.
C People in France and Spain speak languages tied to Latin.
D Ancient Romans conquered new lands and people.
3. A fact can be proven true. Which sentence from the text is a fact?
A Latin words sound prettier than any other words.
B Many medical words have Latin origins.
C Learning Latin is more exciting than learning math.
D Roman stories are the most enjoyable to read.
4. How can knowing Latin root words help students today?
A It helps them build curved stone arches.
B It helps them decode and understand new words.
C It teaches them how to carry mountain water.
D It helps them become faster runners in sports.
5. Which of these languages grew directly out of ancient Latin?
A Spanish and French
B Only languages made up for movies
C Computer code only
D No modern languages use Latin
Reading Comprehension • Key Details & Author's Point Page 2 of 2
Roman Legacies Opinion Prompt Name:
Date:
Opinion Essay Scaffold
Writing Prompt
Rome's Greatest Contribution
Which was Rome's greatest gift: Architecture or the Latin Language ?
Evidence Word Bank (Choose your side to help fill in blanks)
If you choose Architecture:
Helpful Words: stone arches, round Colosseum, aqueducts, gravity, pipes, stadiumsFacts: hold up heavy roofs, carry clean water, modern football stadiums
If you choose Latin:
Helpful Words: Latin language, alphabet, root words, prefixes, decodeFacts: gave letters to English, grew into Spanish and French, medical words
1 In my opinion, the greatest Roman contribution is
because
2 First, the text shows that
is still used today in
Unit 4 • Roman Legacies Opinion Essay Page 1 of 2
Name:
Part 2: Evidence & Conclusion
3 Second, the ancient Romans created
to help people
4 Third, we can still see this legacy all around us when
5 For all these reasons, I believe that
is clearly Rome's greatest gift because
Writer's Self-Check Checklist
I stated my clear opinion in Sentence 1.
I gave 3 facts from the text (Sentences 2, 3, 4).
I wrote a strong conclusion in Sentence 5.
I used capital letters and periods.
Unit 4 • Roman Legacies Opinion Essay Page 2 of 2
