In ancient Roman engineering, what type of bridge like structure was used to bring water to cities?

Introduction / Context:
Ancient Rome is famous for its advanced engineering, especially in roads, bridges, and water supply systems. Providing clean water to growing cities required well planned structures that could carry water over long distances, sometimes across valleys and uneven ground. One iconic Roman structure, resembling a bridge with arches, was specifically designed to transport water from distant sources to urban centres. This question asks for the correct name of that structure.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question describes a type of bridge used to bring water to Roman cities.
- The options include aqueduct, viaduct, suspension bridge, drawbridge, and causeway.
- We assume basic awareness of Roman engineering works that often appear in history and geography textbooks.

Concept / Approach:
Romans constructed aqueducts to convey water from springs or rivers to towns and cities. These aqueducts often used a series of arches to maintain a gentle, continuous gradient over valleys and uneven terrain. While a viaduct is also a type of bridge, typically used to carry roads or railways, the specific structure designed for water supply in Roman times is called an aqueduct. Therefore, we need to choose aqueduct as the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the purpose mentioned in the question, which is bringing water to Roman cities. Step 2: Recall that the Romans are widely known for building aqueducts to supply fresh water over long distances. Step 3: Recognise that viaducts generally carry roads or railways, not water channels, in modern terminology. Step 4: Note that suspension bridges, drawbridges, and causeways are different types of transport structures, not specialised water supply systems. Step 5: Conclude that aqueduct is the correct term for the Roman structure used to bring water into cities.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think of famous examples such as the Pont du Gard in France or the remains of aqueducts around Rome itself. These structures feature multiple tiers of arches that support a water channel at the top, delivering water by gravity. Historical sources and tourist guides consistently refer to them as Roman aqueducts. Modern engineering still uses the word aqueduct for similar water carrying structures, confirming that this is the correct term for the purpose described in the question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Viaduct: This is incorrect in the context of the question, because viaducts are bridge like structures that normally carry roads or railways across valleys or obstacles, not specifically water supply channels.
Suspension bridge: This is incorrect because suspension bridges use cables to support a roadway and are not characteristic of Roman times or of water supply systems.
Drawbridge: This is incorrect because a drawbridge is a movable bridge often associated with castles and fortifications, not with the steady transport of water.
Causeway: This is incorrect because a causeway is a raised road or track across wet or low ground and does not match the description of an elevated water carrying structure.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse the terms aqueduct and viaduct because both end with duct and can look similar. The key difference is their function. Aqueducts carry water, while viaducts carry roads or railways. Another mistake is to select suspension bridge simply because it is a common modern bridge type, but suspension technology was not a feature of Roman engineering. Always link Roman water supply with the word aqueduct for exam purposes.

Final Answer:
The bridge like structure used by Romans to bring water to their cities is called an aqueduct.