The Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Tower of Pisa is a bell tower of the cathedral in Pisa Italy. The top of the tower is
home to seven large bells. The tower has 8 storeys and is 58 metres tall.
Construction on the Leaning Tower of Pisa began in 1178 and it has been leaning ever
since! Because it is built on unstable soil, the tower began sinking by the time
construction began on the third floor of the tower. Because of the tilt of the building, the
upper floors were built with one side taller than the other. If you look carefully at the
picture of the tower, you will see that the tower is curved. Although the tower was
slowly sinking for a very long time, it never leaned too far over. It never fell over.
Starting in 1990 a lot of work was done on the tower and the ground around it. The
work was done to stop the tower from sinking any more. In 2008 it was announced that
the Tower was stabilized. Although it still leans, the tower has stopped moving.
Vocabulary help:
announce (verb) bell (noun)
cathedral (noun) construction (noun)
curved (adjective) -.
lean (verb)
sinking (verb) gerund of to sink -.
soil (noun) stabilize (verb) tall (adjective)
tilt (noun) unstable (adjective) upper (adjective)
Comprehension Check:
1. The Tower of Pisa doesn't lean any more. Yes or no?
2. In 2008 it was announced that the Tower of Pisa has been stabilized. Yes or no?
3. Building start on the Tower of Pisa in 1178. Yes or no?
4. The Tower of Pisa fell over in 1990. Yes or no?
Fill in the Blanks:
5. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a ____________ tower.
6. Starting in 1990 a lot of work was done and the tower and the ____________ around
it.
7. The _____________ floors were built with one side taller than the other.
8. The Tower is leaning because one of the tower was ________________.
9. Pisa is a city in ______________.
10. The soil that the tower is built on is ___________________.