©AP Photo/Ginnette Riquelme
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- flourishing /FLUR-i-shing/
[adjective] – growing or developing successfully
The art festival is flourishing with new talents from many countries. - profound /pruh-FOUND/
[adjective] – showing a clear and deep understanding of serious matters
The film had a profound effect on how people think about their families. - illuminating /ih-LOO-muh-ney-ting/
[adjective] – giving you new information about a subject or making it easier to understand
The lecture on ancient art was illuminating and full of interesting facts. - continuity /kon-tn-OO-i-tee/
[noun] – the fact of something continuing for a long period of time without being changed or stopped
The museum ensures the continuity of traditions through its cultural programs. - ancestral /an-SES-truhl/
[adjective] – relating to members of your family from the past
Many people visit temples to honor their ancestral heritage during festivals.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Cuicuilco, an ancient archaeological site located in southern Mexico City, was once the center of a flourishing civilization during the pre-Classic period between 400 and 200 B.C. The site is now surrounded by modern roads, buildings, and commercial centers, yet it continues to reflect a profound part of Mexico’s cultural history. The area features a circular pyramid that is believed to have been used for rituals dedicated to a fire god. The National Institute of Anthropology and History, or INAH, organizes monthly educational tours to help visitors appreciate the city’s early roots. Each tour, costing about 260 pesos, is led by archaeologists who explain how ancient societies lived and celebrated their traditions. Cuicuilco’s name, meaning “the place where songs and dances are made” in the Nahua language, reflects its strong connection to art, faith and community life.
The institute’s guided tours were first introduced in 1957 to make archaeological research accessible to the public. Historians describe these excursions as an illuminating way to connect the past with the present. Archaeologists estimate that Cuicuilco once had a population of around 40,000, though only the pyramid’s base remains today. Figurines and offerings found on-site suggest that early inhabitants performed ceremonies related to fertility and harvest. Beyond Cuicuilco, INAH also manages other ancient sites such as Teotihuacán and Chichén Itzá but focuses on raising awareness of Mexico’s less-known heritage. Through these efforts, INAH aims to preserve history, inspire learning, and strengthen cultural continuity to ensure that the nation’s ancestral identity remains indelible amid modern urban growth.
The institute’s guided tours were first introduced in 1957 to make archaeological research accessible to the public. Historians describe these excursions as an illuminating way to connect the past with the present. Archaeologists estimate that Cuicuilco once had a population of around 40,000, though only the pyramid’s base remains today. Figurines and offerings found on-site suggest that early inhabitants performed ceremonies related to fertility and harvest. Beyond Cuicuilco, INAH also manages other ancient sites such as Teotihuacán and Chichén Itzá but focuses on raising awareness of Mexico’s less-known heritage. Through these efforts, INAH aims to preserve history, inspire learning, and strengthen cultural continuity to ensure that the nation’s ancestral identity remains indelible amid modern urban growth.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever visited a historical site or museum? If so, what did you learn from it? If not, which place would you like to visit and why?
- Have you joined a cultural or educational tour before? If so, what was memorable about it? If not, what kind of tour would interest you?
- Do you agree that preserving old sites helps people respect their country’s history?
- Why might modern cities forget the importance of their historical roots?
- How can schools encourage young people to care about cultural preservation?
Summarization:
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- ancient
- feature
- introduce
- ceremony
- strengthen