INSIDE The Pentagon – World’s Most Powerful Building

INSIDE The Pentagon – World’s Most Powerful Building
Quizzed ESL Activities

The Pentagon: Uncovering its Secrets

The Pentagon, the nerve center of the US Department of Defense, is a massive structure with a rich history and intriguing secrets. Built in just 16 months during World War II, it boasts over 17 miles of corridors and is home to 23,000 military and civilian employees.

Design and Construction

The Pentagon’s unique pentagonal design was conceived to fit a five-sided parcel of land, with multiple concentric rings of office space connected by corridors. The building has 7,754 windows, 172 miles of corridors, and five rings, with the most senior officials’ offices located on the E-ring.

Security and Secrets

The Pentagon has layers of shielding to block radio waves, making it nearly impossible for foreign satellites to listen in on classified conversations. It is also designed to withstand significant attacks, including nuclear threats, with reinforced steel and blast-resistant materials. Rumors persist about a secret underground bunker or Command Center, but the Pentagon officially denies this.

Hidden Features

The Pentagon has a private entrance for the President, a hidden elevator, and a shopping mall, post office, medical facilities, and multiple dining options. It also has a secret apartment, built for a deputy during World War II, and a time capsule commemorating the 9/11 attacks.

History and Significance

The Pentagon has been the site of significant events, including the 9/11 attacks, which killed 184 people. It has undergone several renovations, including a $5 billion rehabilitation program after the attacks. The building is a symbol of American values, strength, and resilience, and is open to the public for guided tours.



Term Definition Example Usage
Pentagonal Having the shape of a five-sided polygon The Pentagon’s unique pentagonal design was conceived to fit a five-sided parcel of land.
Concentric Having a common center, used to describe circles or rings The building has multiple concentric rings of office space connected by corridors.
Reinforced Strengthened with additional support or material The Pentagon is designed to withstand significant attacks, including nuclear threats, with reinforced steel and blast-resistant materials.
Blast-resistant Able to withstand the force of an explosion The Pentagon’s design includes blast-resistant materials to protect against significant attacks.
Shielding Protecting from external interference or harm The Pentagon has layers of shielding to block radio waves, making it nearly impossible for foreign satellites to listen in on classified conversations.
Renovation The act of repairing or rebuilding something The Pentagon has undergone several renovations, including a $5 billion rehabilitation program after the 9/11 attacks.
Time Capsule A container holding objects or information to be opened at a future date The Pentagon has a time capsule commemorating the 9/11 attacks.
Symbolism The use of objects or colors to represent abstract ideas or concepts The Pentagon is a symbol of American values, strength, and resilience.
Civilian A person who is not a member of the military The Pentagon is home to 23,000 military and civilian employees.
Classified Official information that is not available to the public The Pentagon has layers of shielding to block radio waves, making it nearly impossible for foreign satellites to listen in on classified conversations.




The Pentagon Vocabulary Quiz

Test your knowledge of the vocabulary used to describe the Pentagon with this 5-question multiple-choice quiz.

1. What does the word “concentric” mean in the context of the Pentagon’s design?




2. What is the meaning of the word “pentagonal” in the context of the Pentagon’s design?




3. What does the word “reinforced” mean in the context of the Pentagon’s construction?




4. What is the meaning of the word “commemorating” in the context of the time capsule?




5. What does the word “resilience” mean in the context of the Pentagon’s significance?




Answer Key:

  1. b) Having multiple rings or circles that share a common center
  2. a) Having five sides
  3. b) Made stronger or more resilient with added support
  4. a) Honoring or remembering a person or event
  5. a) The ability to withstand or recover from difficult conditions

Modal Verbs of Speculation and Deduction


Modal verbs such as may, might, could, and must are used to express speculation and deduction. In the context of the Pentagon, these verbs can be used to discuss rumors, secrets, and unconfirmed information. For example, “The Pentagon may have a secret underground bunker” or “The building must have been designed with security in mind.” The correct usage of these verbs depends on the degree of certainty and the type of speculation being expressed.

Quiz Time!

Choose the correct answer for each question:

  1. The Pentagon _____________ have been built with a secret underground bunker, but this has never been confirmed. A) must B) might C) could D) may
  2. The unique pentagonal design of the Pentagon _____________ have been conceived to fit a five-sided parcel of land. A) could B) may C) might D) must
  3. Rumors _____________ persist about a secret underground bunker or Command Center, but the Pentagon officially denies this. A) may B) must C) might D) could
  4. The building _____________ have been designed to withstand significant attacks, including nuclear threats, with reinforced steel and blast-resistant materials. A) might B) could C) must D) may
  5. The Pentagon _____________ be the site of significant events, including the 9/11 attacks, which killed 184 people. A) may B) could C) might D) must

Answer Key:

  1. D) may
  2. A) could
  3. C) might
  4. C) must
  5. D) may

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