The Great Wall of China at Jinshanling. Wikimedia Commons.
Free levelled English reading practice. Read for meaning first, then use the full Speed Reading tool to time yourself and track your progress.
The Great Wall of China is one of the most famous structures in the world. It is not one single wall. It is a long system of walls, towers and forts built at different times. Chinese states began building defensive walls more than 2,000 years ago. Later rulers connected, rebuilt and extended many sections. Much of the wall that visitors see today was built during the Ming dynasty, from the 1300s to the 1600s. Soldiers used the wall and its watchtowers to guard important areas and watch for danger. Smoke and fire signals could send warnings from one tower to another. The wall crosses mountains, grasslands and deserts in northern China. Some parts are well preserved, while others have disappeared or become damaged over time. The complete network of walls and related structures stretches for thousands of kilometres. Today, the Great Wall is an important historic site and a symbol of China. Millions of people visit sections near Beijing and in other regions each year.
Comprehension questions
Is the Great Wall one single wall?
Why were many sections built?
Which dynasty built much of what visitors see today?
