Terri Roberts
1For thousands of years, people have used secret passages and hidden rooms to protect precious belongings and save lives. These secret structures have played important roles throughout history by protecting royalty, hiding valuables, and fooling thieves.
2The ancient Egyptians were one of the first groups of people to use secret passages. The great pyramids were built to honor the rulers of this ancient civilization. When Egyptian leaders died, their people would place them in crypts, or tombs, deep inside the pyramids. These tombs were often filled with priceless treasures—items that the Egyptians believed their leaders would take with them to the next world. In order to prevent robbers from stealing these treasures, the Egyptians built secret passageways that led to the tombs. The designers also constructed fake tombs and deadly traps that would fool any would-be robbers.
3Secret passages have often shaped important historic events. During the 1300s, a secret passage helped free an English king who was taken captive by his enemies. In the 1330s, Roger de Mortimer took young King Edward III of England captive in an attempt to take over the throne. After the king’s supporters learned of his kidnapping, they discovered a secret passage into Nottingham Castle. This passage allowed the supporters to slip past the guards and arrest Mortimer for his crime.
4Queen Marie Antoinette used a secret passageway during the French Revolution in the 1780s. Many people were angry with the royal family at this time because there was not enough food for the country’s poorest people. Eventually, protesters gathered outside the Palace of Versailles. In order to get out safely, the queen used a secret passageway that led to an unguarded entrance.
5Hidden passages also played a key role in the Underground Railroad, which helped free slaves before the American Civil War. During the 1800s, groups of Abolitionists attempted to help slaves escape to freedom in the northern states and in Canada. Many people constructed secret rooms or passages in their houses where escaped slaves could hide from the authorities. Once the coast was clear, the slaves would move on to the next safe house.
6Hidden rooms and secret passages were also important during World War II. Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis in the secret rooms of an office building for more than two years. In Germany, captured British soldiers used a secret room in Colditz Castle to plan their escape. The soldiers constructed a secret room in a remote part of the attic. Here, they began building a glider that would allow them to fly to freedom. Luckily, British forces freed the prisoners before the glider had to be used.
7Today, secret passages are still uncovered in many older homes and office buildings. These discoveries help historians understand more about the history of hidden passageways and about the people who built them.
The purpose of this passage is to
Responses
A persuade readers to build secret rooms.persuade readers to build secret rooms.
B tell the audience an entertaining story.tell the audience an entertaining story.
C inform the audience about secret structures.inform the audience about secret structures.
D convince readers to learn more about history.