El Dorado: The Lost City of Gold
El Dorado: The Lost City of Gold
For centuries, people have dreamed of finding El Dorado, a legendary city made of gold. But is it real, or just a myth?
The Legend Begins
The story of El Dorado started in South America, in the land of the Muisca people, who lived in what is now Colombia. The Muisca had a special ceremony for their new leaders. The leader would cover himself in gold dust and jump into a lake, offering gold and jewels to the gods.
Spanish explorers heard about this "gilded man," or "El Dorado" in Spanish. They believed that somewhere in South America, there was a city filled with gold, waiting to be discovered.
The Search for Gold
Driven by dreams of riches, many explorers set out to find El Dorado. They traveled through dangerous jungles and across tall mountains, facing hunger, disease, and attacks from native people. But no one ever found the golden city. Instead, they mapped new lands and discovered new plants and animals. Their search changed the history of South America forever.
Gold Rushes and Their Impact
- Legend:
- A story from the past that many people have heard but may not be true.
- Gilded:
- Covered with a thin layer of gold.
- Gold Rush:
- When many people go to an area where gold has been found.
- Muisca:
- An indigenous people of Colombia.
- ceremony:
- A formal, traditional event or act performed for a special occasion, such as honoring a new leader.
- pursuit:
- The effort or act of searching for, chasing, or trying to achieve something.
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Purpose
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Structure
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Where did the legend of El Dorado originate?
- 2What was the Muisca ceremony that started the El Dorado story?
Where this passage belongs
About this informational passage for Upper Elementary
âEl Dorado: The Lost City of Goldâ is a informational reading passage about El Dorado, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (356 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.