Sample Quiz

Year 4 Reading Comprehension – Romans: Text: Roman Britain

When the Romans arrived in Britain nearly two thousand years ago, they found a land very different from their home in Italy. The weather was colder, the roads were muddy, and many towns were small villages. However, the Romans were determined to make Britain feel more “Roman”, so they brought their own ways of living with them.

One of the first things the Romans built was straight, sturdy roads. 

These allowed soldiers to march quickly from one place to another, and traders used them to carry goods such as wine, olive oil, and pottery. British people were astonished at how quickly the Romans could build a road, and many began to use the new routes to travel further than they ever had before.

Roman towns were busy, noisy places. In the centre stood the forum, a large open square where people met to talk, shop, and share news. Nearby was the bathhouse. Although it might sound like a simple bathroom, a Roman bathhouse was more like a leisure centre. People went there to exercise, relax in hot rooms, and bathe in warm pools. For many Romans, the bathhouse was an important part of daily life.

Not everyone welcomed the changes the Romans brought. Some Britons believed their old ways were being lost. One famous leader, Boudica, fought fiercely against the Roman rule. Although her rebellion did not succeed, her bravery is remembered even today.

Despite resistance, Roman influence spread across Britain. New foods, new buildings, and new ideas changed the way many people lived. By the time the Romans left, Britain was a very different place from the one they had first discovered.