Leveled Readings / Pericles' Funeral Oration
Leveled reading · key passage
Pericles' Funeral Oration
Pericles (431 BCE), in Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War
These are adaptations, not the original. The original wording is always shown first. Each adapted version restates the same passage at about a grade 4, grade 7, or grade 10 reading level without adding or removing ideas. Quote the original in student writing.
Original wording
“…regarding him who takes no part in these duties not as unambitious but as useless…”
Adapted · about grade 4
We think a person who does not help with public life is useless.
Adapted · about grade 7
We see a man who takes no part in public duties not as unambitious, but as useless.
Adapted · about grade 10
We regard the man who takes no part in public affairs not as merely unambitious but as useless.