Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region IVA- CALABARZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF LAGUNA
STA.CATALINA INTEGRATED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
MAJAYJAY, LAGUNA
SCHOOL ID : 301268

GRADE 8 SILENT READING

Taj Mahal: Immortal Monument to an Emperor’s Love

In Agra, India, stands an immortal monument to an emperor’s love. It was built by

Emperor Shah Jahan for his third wife, the beautiful Mumtaz Mahal. It is called the Taj
Mahal.
Mumtaz, the Queen, was born in 1593. She was married to the prince, Shah
Jahan, who later became an emperor. He was a good emperor and he ruled wisely.
During his reign, magnificent buildings and palaces were built. He had a goldsmith built
in an elaborate throne of rare gems. It was a long, low couch with golden legs. A canopy
that rested on twelve emerald pillars was over the throne. A tree of diamonds, rubies,
emeralds, and pearls stood beside it.
Then in 1631, Queen Mumtaz Mahal died in childbirth. The emperor was grief-
stricken. He forbade music in his court. He gave up wearing the colored, imperial robes
and was only white for mourning.
A sepulcher was built for her. Twenty thousand workers labored twenty years to
complete it. The best artisans, sculptors, designers, and carvers in India and nearby
countries were employed under the most renowned architect of those days. Usted
Ahmad.
The monument was made of precious stones and valuable materials. The glorious white
marble used came from India; garnets and lapis lazuli came from Ceylon. All in all more
than forty varieties of precious stones were used, including turquoise mined in Tibet. On
the north side of the great highway leading to the sepulcher, a tall gateway, 80 feet high,
guarded the entrance. The gateway doors were of silver studded with semi-precious
stones.
No less beautiful are the surroundings of the sepulcher. In the waters of the
famous reflecting pool, the image of the tall dome floats eternally in blue.
Mumtaz was Sha Jahan’s third and favourite wife and their love story is legendary. It is
generally believed that she was a beautiful and devoted wife who was content to have
lots of children with her husband – she died giving birth to their 14 th child.
Everything around the place is made to draw the eyes to the central figure of the
immortal monument to an emperor’s Love, the Taj Mahal.
321 WORDS
©2023 UNESCO Video and Sound Collection
Assessment Tool for Phil-IRI (Philippine Informal Reading Inventory) _G8

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (G8_Silent Reading)

Sta. Catalina Integrated National High School

M.H. Del Pilar Street Brgy. San Miguel Majayjay, Laguna
(049) 503-1745 / (049) 503-6684
stacatalinainhs.301268@deped.gov.ph
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region IVA- CALABARZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF LAGUNA
STA.CATALINA INTEGRATED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
MAJAYJAY, LAGUNA
SCHOOL ID : 301268

_____1. Taj Mahal is a:

A. big house B. palace C. park D. sepulcher

_____2. It is found in:

A. Abra B. India C. Malaysia D. Thailand

_____3. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his:

A. First Wife C. Third Wife
B. Second Wife D. Fourth Wife

_____4. Who is the queen who was a beautiful and devoted wife of emperor Jahan?
A. Mahal C. Moonyeen
B. Mumtaz Mahal D. Taj Mahal

_____5. What is the cause of her death?

A. Cancer C. heart attack
B. Childbirth D. Lung ailment

_____6. Because Shah Jahan was grief–stricken, he gave up wearing his colored imperial
robes and wore only what color for mourning?
A. Black B. Blue C. Red D. White

_____7. Based on the information, which statement is FALSE?

A. Emperor Shah Jahan was not a good emperor and ruled in an autocratic
way.
B. During his reign, magnificent buildings and palaces were built.
C. The best artisans, sculptors, designers, and carvers in India and nearby
countries were employed.
D. No less beautiful are the surroundings of the sepulcher. In the waters of the
famous reflecting pool, the image of the tall dome floats eternally in blue.

_____8. Based on the information, which statement is TRUE?

A. The monument was made of precious stones like garnet, granite, and jasper.
B. Twenty-five thousand workers labored twenty-five years to complete it.
C. Taj Mahal is an immortal monument to an emperor’s love
D. Emperor Shah Jahan built the monument for his unlawful wife Mahal.

Sta. Catalina Integrated National High School

M.H. Del Pilar Street Brgy. San Miguel Majayjay, Laguna
(049) 503-1745 / (049) 503-6684
stacatalinainhs.301268@deped.gov.ph