The Fall of the Roman Empire: Causes and Consequences - Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Unlock your students' understanding of one of history’s most pivotal moments with this reading comprehension worksheet on The Fall of the Western Roman Empire. This resource offers an in-depth exploration of the multiple factors that led to the collapse of the Roman Empire in 476 CE, including political corruption, economic decline, and the impact of barbarian invasions. Through engaging text, students will discover the complex causes behind the fall of Rome, and why it remains a crucial event in world history.

What’s included:

• Comprehensive Reading Passage that outlines key events such as the Crisis of the Third Century, the role of mercenaries, and the famous sack of Rome by the Visigoths.
• Primary Source Analysis featuring an excerpt from Ammianus Marcellinus, offering a historical perspective on Rome's internal struggles.
• Multiple-Format Questions:
  • Multiple-choice
  • Matching
  • Fill-in-the-blank
  • Short-answer questions to assess comprehension and foster critical thinking.
• Answer Key to support easy grading and student feedback.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the key internal and external factors that led to the decline of the Western Roman Empire.
• Interpret primary source material to understand historical perspectives on the Roman military and society.
• Understand the economic and political challenges that contributed to Rome’s fall.

Perfect for:
This worksheet is ideal for World History or Social Studies classes in grades 9-12. It can be used for classroom discussions, homework assignments, or sub plans for teachers needing engaging, curriculum-aligned content.

Common Core Alignment:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2: Determine central ideas of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of key events.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.6: Evaluate how point of view or purpose shapes the content of a text.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-12.9: Draw evidence from informational texts
• to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Great for:

• World History Units
• Roman Empire Studies
• Exam Preparation
• Supplemental Learning Activities

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