📖 Part 1: Reading Passages

Passage A: Geography of Ancient Greece

Ancient Greece was a land of rugged mountains, sparkling seas, and scattered islands. The tall mountains, like Mount Olympus, divided Greece into separate regions called city-states. These natural barriers made it difficult for Greeks to travel and communicate with each other by land. However, Greece was surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, which became like a highway for Greek sailors and traders. The rocky coastline created many natural harbors perfect for ships. Greece's location between Europe, Asia, and Africa made it an ideal place for trade. The mountainous terrain meant there was little farmland, so Greeks had to rely on the sea for food and trade to survive.

Passage B: Cultural Contributions of Ancient Greece

Ancient Greece gave the world many ideas and traditions we still use today. The Greeks invented democracy in Athens, where citizens could vote on important decisions. Greek philosophers like Socrates and Plato asked big questions about life and how people should behave. The Greeks also created the Olympic Games to honor their gods and celebrate athletic achievement. Greek architects built beautiful temples with tall columns that we still copy in government buildings today. Greek theater gave us both comedy and tragedy, and their myths and stories continue to inspire movies and books. Many English words come from ancient Greek, especially in science and medicine.

📝 Part 2: Reading Comprehension

📊 Part 3: Graphic Organizer

Directions: Use information from both passages to fill in the chart below. List at least 3 items in each column.