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III. Reading Comprehension

Dreams and prophesies aside, one of the greatest mysteries surrounding the Sphinx today is one with more practical implications: How much longer will this great statue survive? Much of it was already worn away ages ago, including the nose, parts of the cobra on the forehead, and the long beard that once extended from the chin. Currently, not only the natural elements, but also pollution from the nearby city of Cairo is taking the toll. In addition, past efforts to restore the statue have sometimes, ironically, done more harm than good. For example, faulty reconstruction methods using concrete instead of limestone caused changes in the proportions of the statue. More recent preservation plans are much more sophisticated, although sometimes still experimental. However, even if the Great Sphinx were to collapse tomorrow, even if it should eventually crumble or become covered again with the sands of time, the end of its physical presence would certainly not mean an end to the many mysteries that have surrounded it for so long. Indeed, the "enigma" of the Great Sphinx is likely to remain with us for many centuries to come.