English
Stage 5
Paper 1 Non-fiction
Cambridge Primary Progression Test
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3125_01_INS_RP
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Text A
The Aztecs
The Aztecs were Native American people who came from an area known today
as northwest Mexico. During the 13th century, the Aztecs became more powerful
and their empire expanded across Central America. The Aztecs ruled their
empire until they were defeated by the Spanish in the 16th century.
When the Aztec Empire was at its largest, it spread throughout most of Central
America, controlling about 11,000,000 people. The capital of the empire was
called Tenochtitlan, and it was one of the greatest cities of the world at the time.
By the early 1500s, at least 200,000 people lived there. The Aztecs called
themselves ‘Mexica’, and modern-day Mexico City now covers the area where
Tenochtitlan used to be.
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The Aztec people believed in many gods. One of the most important gods was
the god of learning and civilisation. His name was Quetzalcoatl, meaning
feathered snake. Two other important gods that they worshipped were the god of
the sun and war, and the god of rain. The Aztecs made offerings to keep these
gods happy, which they believed prevented the world from ending.
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The Aztecs ate plants and vegetables that grew easily in Central America. Their
main foods were maize, beans and squash – a type of vegetable. To these, they
often added spices such as chilli, and tomatoes. The Aztecs also created a
chocolate drink but did not have sugar, therefore they flavoured their chocolate
with chilli. These foods later became popular around the world.
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Between 1519 and 1521, Hernán Cortés, the Spanish explorer and soldier,
joined forces with the enemies of the Aztecs and together they destroyed the
Aztec Empire. Cortés then made it into a Spanish colony.
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Text B
Mexico
Where to go in Mexico
This incredible country stretches from the deserts of the north to the grand cities
of the centre and the historic ruins, beaches and jungles of the south. Because
Mexico is such a large country, it’s probably best to concentrate on just one or
two areas of the country, such as the inland cities of Guadalajara and the capital
– Mexico City – or cities along the Pacific Coast such as Acapulco.
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Best time to go to Mexico
Mexico is a popular destination throughout the year. Visitors tend to go to the
highlands in the summer (April-September) and to the coasts in winter (OctoberMarch). June to October is generally the rainy season, though how much rain
falls varies from place to place. Late winter is the traditional tourist season so
December to March are some of the busiest months.
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How to get around Mexico
Bear in mind that Mexico is a large country, and journeys between key areas can
be very long. Although public transport is frequent and quite efficient everywhere,
flying saves a lot of time. If you want to travel around Mexico as cheaply as
possible, buses are best. Renting a car is often a good way of seeing a small
area that would otherwise take days to explore using public transport.
Accommodation in Mexico
Finding accommodation in Mexico is not difficult. In areas that don’t have many
tourists, the inexpensive hotels are usually found around the main square – the
zócalo – or the bus and train stations. The more modern and expensive ones
often lie on the edge of towns.
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