TOPIC 5 TEST: Civilizations of Asia
The Taj Mahal
TEST B
One of the most fascinating
buildings in the world is India's
magnificent Taj Mahal, built (1630-48)
by Shah Jahan as a symbol of his love for
his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, after
her death. The Taj Mahal is said by
many to be the world's most beautiful
structure. A nineteenth-century visitor
was so impressed that he said all people
in the world should be divided into two
groups those who had seen the Taj and
those who had not.
At first sight, the Taj Mahal seems
like an apparition. Its marble appears to
be blue in the morning, white in the
DOWN
afternoon, and glowing pink at dusk. Inside the building, the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, also made of
white marble, was originally inlaid with jewels.
Even though it exhibits a Persian influence in its perfectly balanced shape, the Taj Mahal is a
unique architectural creation of the Moguls, the Muslim dynasty that conquered large areas of India in
the 1500s. Some people even think the haystacks in the surrounding fields served as an inspiration for
the Taj Mahal's great dome.
7. According to the passage above, which of the following is an opinion in the reading above?
The marble tomb of Mumtaz Mahal was originally inlaid with Jewels
a.
b. The shape of the Taj Mahal exhibits a Persian Influence.
C.
The Taj Mahal is the world's most beautiful structure.
d. The Taj Mahal was built as a symbol of love by Shah Jahan.
8. According to the passage above, which of the following is a fact in the reading above?
a. The design of the Taj Mahal's dome was based on the haystacks in surrounding fields
b. The Moguls conquered large areas of India in the 1500s
c. The Taj Mahal contains two rooms, a tomb, and a lookout tower.
d. The Taj Mahal is the most fascinating and beautiful building in the world.