Kasbah of Algiers – Algeria

The kasbah of Algiers is one of the most outstanding and famous landmarks in Algeria. It is located at the heart of
the city of Algiers on huge hills over the Mediterranean Sea. The oldest name of Al Kasbah is ‘Icosium’
which means the island of the sea gull. The Kasbah was constructed between 16th and 18th centuries
under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. By the end of the 18th century, it had grown into a flourishing
and well fortified city of 100,000 people. It was considered as a magnificent trading post and a
powerful fort to protect the city. The Kasbah visitors will be able to discover wonderful noteworthy
sites such as mosques and palaces which were built during the Ottoman period. The Kasbah consists of
marvellous buildings and mosques such as The Dey Palace, Ketshaoua mosque, Djema’a el Djedid,
Djema’a el Kebir. It represents traditional Islamic architecture through its small houses and narrow
streets which gives the city a picturesque image. The Kasbah was proclaimed as ‘World Cultural Heritage’ by the
UNESCO in 1992. Adapted from: http://www.algeria.com

Task one: Read the text then answer the following questions

1/ Where is the Kasbah situated? → ............................................................................................................

2/ What is the oldest name of Al Kasbah? → ..............................................................................................
3/ When was the Kasbah built? → ...............................................................................................................

Task two: Match synonyms and opposites

= ≠
Words Synonyms Words Opposites
 massive  marvellous  famous  narrow
 constructed  located  newest  oldest
 situated  built  wide  constructed
 outstanding  huge  demolished  unknown

Task three: Sort out 4 PASSIVE sentences fom the text

1) ..........................................................................................................................................................
2) ..........................................................................................................................................................
3) ..........................................................................................................................................................
4) ..........................................................................................................................................................

Task four: Put a tick ( √ ) next to the correct sentence

1- Thousands of tourists visited Al Kasbah last year.

* Al Kasbah were visited by thousands of tourists last year.

* Al Kasbah was visited by thousands of tourists last year.
* Al Kasbah is visited by thousands of tourists last year.
2- Columbus discovered America.

* America was discovered by Columbus.

* America were discovered by Columbus.
* America is discovered by Columbus.
3- Many visitors took photos in the Kasbah. pp
* Photos are taken by many visitors in the Kasbah.
* Photos were taken by many visitors in the Kasbah.
* Photos was taken by many visitors in the Kasbah.

Task five: Turn the following sentences into the PASSIVE VOICE
1- The tourist guide gave me a map. → ....................................................................................................................................
2- The tourists bought souvenirs. → .........................................................................................................................................
3- The tourism agencies organized trips to Algeria. → .........................................................................................................
4- The tourists took the plane from London to Algiers. → .......................................................................................................
5- The beauty of Algeria impressed the visitors. → .................................................................................................................