【明報專訊】A long-hidden narrow void in Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza (胡夫金字塔) has been found by a group of scientists. The void, at least 30 metres in length, was found above the Grand Gallery (「大走廊」) — an ascending corridor that links the Queen's chamber to the King's in the heart of the pyramid. The researchers say the space has remained hidden since it was first constructed 4,500 years ago.

The Great Pyramid was constructed during the reign of Pharaoh Khufu (法老胡夫) between 2509 and 2483 BC. It famously contains three large interior chambers and a series of passageways, inlcuding the 47m-long, 8m-high Grand Gallery. It is the sole survivor of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World (古代世界七大奇蹟) , and there is no universal agreement about how it was created.

The discovery was made after physicists took images of the inside of the pyramid using new technology. It is not known why the void exists or indeed if it holds anything of value because it is not obviously accessible. Researchers suggest the void could be a "construction gap" that is part of a trench that allowed workers to access the Grand Gallery and King's Chamber while the rest of the pyramid was being built.

(Source: BBC, Dailymail)

■Quiz

Answer the following questions.

(Answers on next text)

1. Is the following sentence true or false?

The void inside the Great Pyramid was discovered 4,500 years ago.

True / False

2. When was the Great Pyramid of Giza built?

______________________

3. Find in paragraph two a word that is similar in meaning to "only".

____________________

4. Which of the following about the void is true?

a. The void is for storing the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu.

b. The purpose of building the void remains unknown.

c. Many valuable things are found in the void.

d. All of the above.

■Photo Story

The Great Pyramid of Giza is also known as the Pyramid of Khufu. It is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza pyramid complex.

■English highway﹕The heart of

the middle part of an area furthest from the edge

e.g. He bought an apartment in the heart of New York.

■Glossary

void (n) 空間

reign (n) 君主統治時期

interior (adj) 內部

accessible (adj) 容易到達的

[Smarties' Power English 第199期]