Reading - The Cotton Castle of Pamukkale

Read the text and complete the activities below.

Pamukkale is a very beautiful natural site in southwestern Turkey. Its name means "Cotton Castle" in Turkish. When you look at it from far away, it looks like a big mountain of white snow or soft cotton. However, it is actually made of white rocks called travertine. These rocks were formed by mineral water from hot springs over thousands of years.

People visit Pamukkale to see the white terraces and swim in the warm water. The water is usually around 35 degrees Celsius, so it is very relaxing for the body. Right next to the terraces, there is an ancient Roman city called Hierapolis. Visitors can walk through the old ruins, see a large theater, and learn about how people lived a long time ago. It is a place where history and nature come together.

To protect this special site, visitors must follow some rules. For example, you must take off your shoes before walking on the white terraces. This helps keep the rocks clean and white. Many tourists also visit the "Antique Pool," where they can swim among old Roman columns that are now under the water. It is truly a unique experience for travelers from all over the world!

ACTIVITIES

Exercise 1: Multiple Choice

Choose the best answer for each question based on the text.

1. What does the name "Pamukkale" mean in English?
Select... a) White Mountain b) Cotton Castle c) Hot Springs

2. What are the white terraces actually made of?
Select... a) Snow b) Cotton c) Travertine rocks

3. How warm is the water in the hot springs?
Select... a) Around 35 degrees Celsius b) Over 50 degrees Celsius c) It is very cold

4. What can you find next to the terraces?
Select... a) A modern shopping mall b) An ancient Roman city c) A snowy ski resort

5. Why do visitors have to take off their shoes?
Select... a) To keep the terraces clean and white b) Because the water is too deep c) To walk faster on the rocks

Exercise 2: True / False / Not Given

Decide if the statements are True, False, or if the information is Not Given.

1. Pamukkale is located in the north of Turkey.
Select... True False Not Given

2. The mineral water formed the rocks over a very long time.
Select... True False Not Given

3. You can see a large theater in the city of Hierapolis.
Select... True False Not Given

4. It costs 20 dollars to enter the Antique Pool.
Select... True False Not Given

5. Visitors are allowed to wear shoes on the white rocks.
Select... True False Not Given

Exercise 3: Gap Fill

Complete the sentences using words from the text.

1. Pamukkale looks like a mountain of from a distance.

2. The rocks were formed by water from springs.

3. Hierapolis is an Roman city located near the terraces.

4. History and come together in this special place.

5. Swimming in the Antique Pool is a experience for tourists.