The ancient Egyptians believed that life on Earth and life with the gods after death were linked. Many of their religious practices centered on achieving life after death. They believed that magic was needed to reach the afterlife, so they asked priests to help them prepare protective spells. They thought that certain prayers and actions had to be done, or a soul could be lost in the underworld on the way to the afterlife. The Book of the Dead is a collection of about two hundred prayers, spells, and directions that were said to help the dead on their journey. It gives advice about danger and about speaking to the gods. It also warns about tests that the dead have to face to prove they are worthy of the afterlife.

Question

Read the passage carefully to determine its central idea and supporting evidence. Then choose the phrase that best completes each sentence.

The central idea is that the ancient Egyptians
.

Answer 1

The central idea is that the ancient Egyptians believed that achieving life after death was deeply intertwined with their religious practices, rituals, and the use of magic.

Supporting evidence includes:

• The importance of protective spells prepared by priests.
• The idea that specific prayers and actions were necessary to avoid losing one's soul in the underworld.
• The existence of the Book of the Dead, which contains prayers, spells, and advice for the deceased on their journey to the afterlife.