1.
Using the Across and Down clues, write the correct words in the numbered grid
below.
1
S
3
5 6 7
M
I
8
H
10
ACROSS DOWN
3. Something that is ______ is not securely held in 1. a picture or symbol representing an object,
place and seems likely to fall or collapse at any concept, or sound
moment. 2. In ______ farming or ______ agriculture, farmers
5. a severe shortage of food, as through crop failure produce food to eat themselves rather than to sell.
or overpopulation 4. to determine the meaning of (something obscure or
7. You can describe something as a ______ action illegible)
when it is done in exactly the same way whenever 6. When birds, fish, or animals ______, they move at
a particular situation occurs. a particular season from one part of the world or
8. direct descent from an ancestor, esp a line of from one part of a country to another, usually in
descendants from one ancestor order to breed or to find new feeding grounds.
9. A ______ is a place that people visit and treat with
respect because it is connected with a dead
person or with dead people that they want to
remember.
10. A ______ is a period of time during which a country
is ruled by members of the same family.
English Plus Podcast -2-
Choose the best option the completes the sentences below:
2. move, travel, journey, wander
a. migrate b. lineage c. famine d. hieroglyphic e. ritual
3. hunger, want, starvation, deprivation
a. decipher b. famine c. dynasty d. precarious e. subsistence
4. difficult to read or decipher
a. shrine b. hieroglyphic c. lineage d. subsistence e. shrine
5. holy place, temple, sanctuary, altar
a. hieroglyphic b. shrine c. decipher d. ritual e. precarious
6. A ______ is a way of behaving or a series of actions which people regularly carry out in
a particular situation, because it is their custom to do so.
a. ritual b. decipher c. famine d. dynasty e. migrate
7. decode, crack, solve, understand
a. hieroglyphic b. decipher c. shrine d. famine e. dynasty
8. descent, family, line, succession
a. lineage b. precarious c. subsistence d. migrate e. ritual
9. the means by which one maintains life
a. lineage b. famine c. precarious d. subsistence e. dynasty
10. A ______ is a family which has members from two or more generations who are
important in a particular field of activity, for example in business or politics.
a. shrine b. ritual c. decipher d. subsistence e. dynasty
11. insecure, dangerous, uncertain, tricky
a. dynasty b. migrate c. migrate d. hieroglyphic e. precarious
For each question below a number of similar words appear, but only one is spelled
correctly and matches the clue that is provided. Write the letter of the correctly
spelled word in the space by the question number.
12. a. CHRINE b. SHRINNE c. SHRINE d. SHRIN
A ______ is a place of worship which is associated with a particular holy person or
object.
13. a. DECIPHAR b. DECIPHIR c. DECIPHER d. DESIPHER
If you ______ a piece of writing or a message, you work out what it says, even though it
is very difficult to read or understand.
14. a. MIGREAT b. MIGFATE c. MIGRETE d. MIGRATE
If people ______, they move from one place to another, especially in order to find work
or to live somewhere for a short time.
15. a. PRECARIOS b. PRECARIOUS c. PRECARIUS d. PRECARIOUSE
If your situation is ______, you are not in complete control of events and might fail in
what you are doing at any moment.
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2
English Plus Podcast -3-
16. a. RITUEL b. RITUAL c. RITAUL d. RITULE
A ______ is a religious service or other ceremony which involves a series of actions
performed in a fixed order.
17. a. SUBSISTENCEE b. SUBSISTENCE c. SUBSISTENCCE d. SUBSISTANCE
______ is the condition of just having enough food or money to stay alive.
18. a. DYCASTY b. DYNASTY c. DINASTI d. DENASTE
A ______ is a series of rulers of a country who all belong to the same family.
19. a. LINEAGE b. LINEATE c. LINEGE d. LINEEGE
Someone's ______ is the series of families from which they are directly descended.
20. a. HIEROGGLYPHIC b. HIEROGLYPHIC c. HIEROGLYPHEC d. HYEROGLYPHYC
of or relating to a form of writing using picture symbols, esp as used in ancient Egypt
21. a. FAMIN b. FAMINE c. FAMINU d. FEMINE
______ is a situation in which large numbers of people have little or no food, and many
of them die.
22. Find the hidden words. The words have been placed horizontally, vertically, or
diagonally. When you locate a word, draw a circle around it.
R S E T Y D Q I H H K J R X A Q C M J X
I U S L I Y W M I G R A T E D I R G A K
T B U G N N Z E B D E C I P H E R C V B
U S O F D A M S H R I N E P N P B C O E
A I I R Y S O M V D W V Y W D N V B I X
L S R T O T K V I C J L H V V U N A W I
J T A G H Y Z A I L G Y K J D I E Z I G
E E C U O T B Q G O G F A M I N E B H Q
T N E Q B Q W Z R O T H N B I O H P A L
E C R U E I N E P Q S L C L I N E A G E
G E P S Z B I Y S R S I J T G J Q F A T
C M A L L H Q V B G D I F B K X L W H B
hieroglyphic famine decipher dynasty ritual
shrine lineage precarious subsistence migrate
Copyright © 2021 English Plus Podcast | [Link]
3
English Plus Podcast -4-
23. Fill in the blanks while you listen to the episode.
The Maya
[1] one of the most fascinating cultures of all time is that of the ancient Maya.
Many scientists believe they had the most advanced civilization among the early peoples of the
[2] World. The Mayan civilization, which flourished from A.D. 250 to about A.D.
900, was situated in southern Mexico and Central America. The original Maya [3]
and formed fishing communities along the coastline. Later they moved inland, where their subsistence
depended on agriculture. To maintain healthy [4] of corn and other grains, they
developed a complex system for managing their water supply.
Hidden behind thick vegetation and a difficult landscape, the [5] of most ancient
Mayan cities were not discovered until the 19th [6] . Around that time scientists
began to decipher some of the picturelike hieroglyphic markings on Mayan [7] .
When researchers compared the Mayan [8] with the Christian calendar, they were
stunned by its accuracy.
Mayan symbols, or glyphs, however, did more than mark time on a calendar. Scientists determined
that the differing glyphs indicated major events that occurred during the reign of various dynasties, the
ruling families who built small empires within the [9] nation. These families
[10] their power on to their male children, creating an important and powerful
lineage. From these empires came a [11] of art, architecture, and writing.
Mayan artists produced stone sculptures, carvings, paintings, and exotic [12] .
Mayan architecture included stone and earthen homes, pyramids, shrines devoted to Mayan gods and
goddesses, and small arenas for [13] competition. Writings by Mayan scribes and
priests recount the lives and deeds of nobles, astronomical [14] of the times, an
elaborate mythology, and descriptions of religious [15] and other ceremonies.
Up until about A.D. 900, the Maya were a more or less stable [16] . Then they
mysteriously abandoned the great centers of culture and [17] to migrate to other
areas. Over the next several centuries the Maya fell victim to crop failures and the resulting
[18] , and to invasion, periodic wars, and European diseases. The surviving
[19] had a precarious [20] , yet some endured Spanish
conquests and internal conflict until 1697, when the last Mayan kingdom was taken by Spain.
A. famines B. century C. crops
D. passed E. calendar F. existence
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4
English Plus Podcast -5-
G. Perhaps H. settled I. rituals
J. jewelry K. athletic L. calendars
M. Western N. Mayan O. civilization
P. details Q. cities R. began
S. bounty T. ruins
24. In each line of text below there is one word that has been misspelled. Circle the
misspelled word and then write the correct spelling of the word on the line on the right
side of the page.
The Maea 1.
Perhaps one off the most fascinating cultures of all time is that of the 2.
ancient Maya. Many scientists believe theiy had the most advanced 3.
civilization among the early peoplles of the Western World. The Mayan 4.
civilization, which flourished from A.D. 250 to abowt A.D. 900, was 5.
situatd in southern Mexico and Central America. The original Maya 6.
settled and formed fishing communities along tha coastline. Later they 7.
moved inland, where their subsistence depended on agriculture. Toe 8.
maintain healthy crops of cern and other grains, they developed a 9.
complex system for managing their water suppli. 10.
Hiden behind thick vegetation and a difficult landscape, the ruins of 11.
most ancient Mayan cities were not discoverd until the 19th century. 12.
Around that time scientists began to decipher some of tha picturelike 13.
hieroglyphic markings on Mayan calendars. When reserchers 14.
compared the Mayan calendar with the Christien calendar, they were 15.
stunned by its accurace. 16.
Mayan symbols, or glyphs, however, did mor than mark time on a 17.
calendar. Scientists detirmined that the differing glyphs indicated major 18.
events thet occurred during the reign of various dynasties, the ruling 19.
families whoe built small empires within the Mayan nation. These families 20.
passed their power one to their male children, creating an important and 21.
powerful lineage. From these empires came a bounty of ert, 22.
architecture, end writing. 23.
Mayan artists produced stone sculptures, karvings, paintings, and 24.
exotic jewelry. Maean architecture included stone and earthen homes, 25.
pyramids, chrines devoted to Mayan gods and goddesses, and small 26.
arenas for athletik competition. Writings by Mayan scribes and priests 27.
recount the lives and deeds of nobles, astronomical details of the tymes, 28.
an elaborate mythology, and descriptions of religious ritauls and other 29.
ceremonees. 30.
Up until about A.K. 900, the Maya were a more or less stable 31.
Copyright © 2021 English Plus Podcast | [Link]
5
English Plus Podcast -6-
civilization. Then they mysteriosly abandoned the great centers of 32.
culture and began to migrate to other areas. Over the nexxt several 33.
centuries the Maya fell victim to crop feilures and the resulting famines, 34.
end to invasion, periodic wars, and European diseases. The surviving 35.
cities had a precarious existence, yet som endured Spanish conquests 36.
end internal conflict until 1697, when the last Mayan kingdom was taken 37.
buy Spain. 38.
Print the words from the list in the empty boxes. The shape of the word must match the
shape of the boxes.
25. 30.
26. 31.
27. 32.
28. 33.
29. 34.
25. A ______ is a way of behaving or a series of 31. A ______ is a period of time during which a
actions which people regularly carry out in country is ruled by members of the same
a particular situation, because it is their family.
custom to do so. 32. If people ______, they move from one place
26. ______ is a situation in which large numbers to another, especially in order to find work
of people have little or no food, and many or to live somewhere for a short time.
of them die. 33. If you ______ a piece of writing or a
27. a picture or symbol representing an object, message, you work out what it says, even
concept, or sound though it is very difficult to read or
28. descent, family, line, succession understand.
29. insecure, dangerous, uncertain, tricky 34. holy place, temple, sanctuary, altar
30. In ______ farming or ______ agriculture,
farmers produce food to eat themselves
rather than to sell.
Copyright © 2021 English Plus Podcast | [Link]
6
1. Using the Across and Down clues, write the correct words in the numbered grid
below.
1
H
I
2
S E
3
P R E C A R I O U S R
B O
4
D S G
5 6 7
F A M I N E R I T U A L
I C S Y
8
L I N E A G E I T P
R P E H
9
A S H R I N E I
10
D Y N A S T Y E C C
E R E
ACROSS DOWN
3. Something that is ______ is not securely held in 1. a picture or symbol representing an object,
place and seems likely to fall or collapse at any concept, or sound
moment. 2. In ______ farming or ______ agriculture, farmers
5. a severe shortage of food, as through crop failure produce food to eat themselves rather than to sell.
or overpopulation 4. to determine the meaning of (something obscure or
7. You can describe something as a ______ action illegible)
when it is done in exactly the same way whenever 6. When birds, fish, or animals ______, they move at
a particular situation occurs. a particular season from one part of the world or
8. direct descent from an ancestor, esp a line of from one part of a country to another, usually in
descendants from one ancestor order to breed or to find new feeding grounds.
9. A ______ is a place that people visit and treat with
respect because it is connected with a dead
person or with dead people that they want to
remember.
10. A ______ is a period of time during which a country
is ruled by members of the same family.
English Plus Podcast -2-
Choose the best option the completes the sentences below:
2. a move, travel, journey, wander
a. migrate b. lineage c. famine d. hieroglyphic e. ritual
3. b hunger, want, starvation, deprivation
a. decipher b. famine c. dynasty d. precarious e. subsistence
4. b difficult to read or decipher
a. shrine b. hieroglyphic c. lineage d. subsistence e. shrine
5. b holy place, temple, sanctuary, altar
a. hieroglyphic b. shrine c. decipher d. ritual e. precarious
6. a A ______ is a way of behaving or a series of actions which people regularly carry out in
a particular situation, because it is their custom to do so.
a. ritual b. decipher c. famine d. dynasty e. migrate
7. b decode, crack, solve, understand
a. hieroglyphic b. decipher c. shrine d. famine e. dynasty
8. a descent, family, line, succession
a. lineage b. precarious c. subsistence d. migrate e. ritual
9. d the means by which one maintains life
a. lineage b. famine c. precarious d. subsistence e. dynasty
10. e A ______ is a family which has members from two or more generations who are
important in a particular field of activity, for example in business or politics.
a. shrine b. ritual c. decipher d. subsistence e. dynasty
11. e insecure, dangerous, uncertain, tricky
a. dynasty b. migrate c. migrate d. hieroglyphic e. precarious
For each question below a number of similar words appear, but only one is spelled
correctly and matches the clue that is provided. Write the letter of the correctly
spelled word in the space by the question number.
12. c a. CHRINE b. SHRINNE c. SHRINE d. SHRIN
A ______ is a place of worship which is associated with a particular holy person or
object.
13. c a. DECIPHAR b. DECIPHIR c. DECIPHER d. DESIPHER
If you ______ a piece of writing or a message, you work out what it says, even though it
is very difficult to read or understand.
14. d a. MIGREAT b. MIGFATE c. MIGRETE d. MIGRATE
If people ______, they move from one place to another, especially in order to find work
or to live somewhere for a short time.
15. b a. PRECARIOS b. PRECARIOUS c. PRECARIUS d. PRECARIOUSE
If your situation is ______, you are not in complete control of events and might fail in
what you are doing at any moment.
Copyright © 2021 English Plus Podcast | [Link]
2
English Plus Podcast -3-
16. b a. RITUEL b. RITUAL c. RITAUL d. RITULE
A ______ is a religious service or other ceremony which involves a series of actions
performed in a fixed order.
17. b a. SUBSISTENCEE b. SUBSISTENCE c. SUBSISTENCCE d. SUBSISTANCE
______ is the condition of just having enough food or money to stay alive.
18. b a. DYCASTY b. DYNASTY c. DINASTI d. DENASTE
A ______ is a series of rulers of a country who all belong to the same family.
19. a a. LINEAGE b. LINEATE c. LINEGE d. LINEEGE
Someone's ______ is the series of families from which they are directly descended.
20. b a. HIEROGGLYPHIC b. HIEROGLYPHIC c. HIEROGLYPHEC d. HYEROGLYPHYC
of or relating to a form of writing using picture symbols, esp as used in ancient Egypt
21. b a. FAMIN b. FAMINE c. FAMINU d. FEMINE
______ is a situation in which large numbers of people have little or no food, and many
of them die.
22. Find the hidden words. The words have been placed horizontally, vertically, or
diagonally. When you locate a word, draw a circle around it.
R S E T Y D Q I H H K J R X A Q C M J X
I U S L I Y W M I G R A T E D I R G A K
T B U G N N Z E B D E C I P H E R C V B
U S O F D A M S H R I N E P N P B C O E
A I I R Y S O M V D W V Y W D N V B I X
L S R T O T K V I C J L H V V U N A W I
J T A G H Y Z A I L G Y K J D I E Z I G
E E C U O T B Q G O G F A M I N E B H Q
T N E Q B Q W Z R O T H N B I O H P A L
E C R U E I N E P Q S L C L I N E A G E
G E P S Z B I Y S R S I J T G J Q F A T
C M A L L H Q V B G D I F B K X L W H B
hieroglyphic famine decipher dynasty ritual
shrine lineage precarious subsistence migrate
Copyright © 2021 English Plus Podcast | [Link]
3
English Plus Podcast -4-
23. Fill in the blanks while you listen to the episode.
The Maya
[1] Perhaps one of the most fascinating cultures of all time is that of the ancient Maya.
Many scientists believe they had the most advanced civilization among the early peoples of the
[2] Western World. The Mayan civilization, which flourished from A.D. 250 to about A.D.
900, was situated in southern Mexico and Central America. The original Maya [3] settled
and formed fishing communities along the coastline. Later they moved inland, where their subsistence
depended on agriculture. To maintain healthy [4] crops of corn and other grains, they
developed a complex system for managing their water supply.
Hidden behind thick vegetation and a difficult landscape, the [5] ruins of most ancient
Mayan cities were not discovered until the 19th [6] century . Around that time scientists
began to decipher some of the picturelike hieroglyphic markings on Mayan [7] calendars .
When researchers compared the Mayan [8] calendar with the Christian calendar, they were
stunned by its accuracy.
Mayan symbols, or glyphs, however, did more than mark time on a calendar. Scientists determined
that the differing glyphs indicated major events that occurred during the reign of various dynasties, the
ruling families who built small empires within the [9] Mayan nation. These families
[10] passed their power on to their male children, creating an important and powerful
lineage. From these empires came a [11] bounty of art, architecture, and writing.
Mayan artists produced stone sculptures, carvings, paintings, and exotic [12] jewelry .
Mayan architecture included stone and earthen homes, pyramids, shrines devoted to Mayan gods and
goddesses, and small arenas for [13] athletic competition. Writings by Mayan scribes and
priests recount the lives and deeds of nobles, astronomical [14] details of the times, an
elaborate mythology, and descriptions of religious [15] rituals and other ceremonies.
Up until about A.D. 900, the Maya were a more or less stable [16] civilization . Then they
mysteriously abandoned the great centers of culture and [17] began to migrate to other
areas. Over the next several centuries the Maya fell victim to crop failures and the resulting
[18] famines , and to invasion, periodic wars, and European diseases. The surviving
[19] cities had a precarious [20] existence , yet some endured Spanish
conquests and internal conflict until 1697, when the last Mayan kingdom was taken by Spain.
A. famines B. century C. crops
D. passed E. calendar F. existence
Copyright © 2021 English Plus Podcast | [Link]
4
English Plus Podcast -5-
G. Perhaps H. settled I. rituals
J. jewelry K. athletic L. calendars
M. Western N. Mayan O. civilization
P. details Q. cities R. began
S. bounty T. ruins
24. In each line of text below there is one word that has been misspelled. Circle the
misspelled word and then write the correct spelling of the word on the line on the right
side of the page.
The Maea 1. Maya
Perhaps one off the most fascinating cultures of all time is that of the 2. of
ancient Maya. Many scientists believe theiy had the most advanced 3. they
civilization among the early peoplles of the Western World. The Mayan 4. peoples
civilization, which flourished from A.D. 250 to abowt A.D. 900, was 5. about
situatd in southern Mexico and Central America. The original Maya 6. situated
settled and formed fishing communities along tha coastline. Later they 7. the
moved inland, where their subsistence depended on agriculture. Toe 8. To
maintain healthy crops of cern and other grains, they developed a 9. corn
complex system for managing their water suppli. 10. supply
Hiden behind thick vegetation and a difficult landscape, the ruins of 11. Hidden
most ancient Mayan cities were not discoverd until the 19th century. 12. discovered
Around that time scientists began to decipher some of tha picturelike 13. the
hieroglyphic markings on Mayan calendars. When reserchers 14. researchers
compared the Mayan calendar with the Christien calendar, they were 15. Christian
stunned by its accurace. 16. accuracy
Mayan symbols, or glyphs, however, did mor than mark time on a 17. more
calendar. Scientists detirmined that the differing glyphs indicated major 18. determined
events thet occurred during the reign of various dynasties, the ruling 19. that
families whoe built small empires within the Mayan nation. These families 20. who
passed their power one to their male children, creating an important and 21. on
powerful lineage. From these empires came a bounty of ert, 22. art
architecture, end writing. 23. and
Mayan artists produced stone sculptures, karvings, paintings, and 24. carvings
exotic jewelry. Maean architecture included stone and earthen homes, 25. Mayan
pyramids, chrines devoted to Mayan gods and goddesses, and small 26. shrines
arenas for athletik competition. Writings by Mayan scribes and priests 27. athletic
recount the lives and deeds of nobles, astronomical details of the tymes, 28. times
an elaborate mythology, and descriptions of religious ritauls and other 29. rituals
ceremonees. 30. ceremonies
Up until about A.K. 900, the Maya were a more or less stable 31. D
Copyright © 2021 English Plus Podcast | [Link]
5
English Plus Podcast -6-
civilization. Then they mysteriosly abandoned the great centers of 32. mysteriously
culture and began to migrate to other areas. Over the nexxt several 33. next
centuries the Maya fell victim to crop feilures and the resulting famines, 34. failures
end to invasion, periodic wars, and European diseases. The surviving 35. and
cities had a precarious existence, yet som endured Spanish conquests 36. some
end internal conflict until 1697, when the last Mayan kingdom was taken 37. and
buy Spain. 38. by
Print the words from the list in the empty boxes. The shape of the word must match the
shape of the boxes.
25. 30.
r i t u a l s u b s i s t e n c e
26. 31.
f a m i n e d y n a s t y
27. 32.
h i e r o g l y p h i c m i g r a t e
28. 33.
l i n e a g e d e c i p h e r
29. 34.
p r e c a r i o u s s h r i n e
25. A ______ is a way of behaving or a series of 31. A ______ is a period of time during which a
actions which people regularly carry out in country is ruled by members of the same
a particular situation, because it is their family.
custom to do so. 32. If people ______, they move from one place
26. ______ is a situation in which large numbers to another, especially in order to find work
of people have little or no food, and many or to live somewhere for a short time.
of them die. 33. If you ______ a piece of writing or a
27. a picture or symbol representing an object, message, you work out what it says, even
concept, or sound though it is very difficult to read or
28. descent, family, line, succession understand.
29. insecure, dangerous, uncertain, tricky 34. holy place, temple, sanctuary, altar
30. In ______ farming or ______ agriculture,
farmers produce food to eat themselves
rather than to sell.
Copyright © 2021 English Plus Podcast | [Link]
6
