Sparta

The Children of Sparta

The Spartans had an interesting definition of a "good education."

The children of Sparta—a Greek city-state that existed over 2,000 years ago—were expected to grow up to be warriors. At age seven, all boys were sent to a rigid military school. They were taught how to survive the harshest conditions. In some cases, the boys were tortured just so they would become tougher. Only the best students finished the school.

For thirteen years, the Spartan students trained to be soldiers. At age twenty, they joined the military to show what they had learned. The system worked. The small state of Sparta became the strongest in all of Greece.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1) What was the author’s purpose in writing this passage?

a. to give reasons why he likes the city-state of Sparta

b. to explain how the children of Sparta were educated

c. to warn others against waging war against Sparta

d. to compare warriors in Sparta with soldiers today

2) In the 2^nd paragraph of the above passage, the author writes about the "rigid military school." In the context, what is the meaning of the word “rigid”?

a. rare

b. strict

c. easy

d. formal

3) Based on the passage above, how long did the student training last?

a. 7 years

b. 13 years

c. 20 years

d. 50 years

4) The author of the above passage most likely has which occupation?

a. a historian

b. a police officer

c. a solider

d. a government official

5) Based on the passage, which of the following is the reason Sparta was the strongest state in Greece?

a. every boy was trained to be a warrior

b. every man had to serve in the government

c. every woman was trained to fight

d. every student was tortured

Answer Key