The Old Kingdom: Pyramids

Multiple Choice

Which of the following events happened around 2500 BC in ancient Egypt?

• Menes unites Upper and Lower Egypt

• Egyptians build the Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza

• The Sumerians create the world’s first writing system

• King Tut dies

Open Ended

Why do you think the construction of pyramids was significant in the history of ancient Egypt?

Multiple Choice

Why were burial sites, especially royal tombs, considered important in ancient Egypt?

• They were believed to ensure a good afterlife.

• They were used for storing food.

• They were places for public gatherings.

• They were used as prisons.

Draw

Draw an X on the fertile farm land.

Circle the largest pyramid.

Draw a fish or snake in the Nile.

Draw a strong stick man in the workers' village.

Draw a triangle around the smallest pyramid.

Multiple Select

Which of the following are true about the construction and features of the Great Pyramid of Khufu?

• It covers more than 13 acres at its base.

• It was built to honor Pharaoh Khufu.

• It is made of over 2,300,000 blocks of stone.

• It was built in the New Kingdom.

Open Ended

Describe the significance of the Great Pyramid of Khufu in ancient Egyptian society. Write your answer in 2 sentences with details from slide 10.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following skills was NOT mentioned as a special skill used in building the pyramids?

• Architects designed the pyramids

• Surveyors made measurements

• Masons cut the limestones into building blocks

• Artists painted the outside walls

Multiple Select

Which of the following statements about building the pyramids is/are correct?

• The government paid workers in money.

• As many as 100,000 workers may have been needed to build a pyramid.

• Historians are certain how the pyramids were built.

• Wages were paid in goods such as grain.

Multiple Select

How did the Egyptians move the massive stones used to build the pyramids? Choose 2

• They used cranes and pulleys.

• They floated the stones on the Nile during flooding.

• They used brick ramps and strong sleds.

• They rolled the stones on logs.

Open Ended

Explain why historians are unsure about the exact methods used to build the Egyptian pyramids.

Open Ended

Describe the types of items that were placed inside the pharaoh’s tomb and explain their significance.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best explains why Egyptians wanted the pyramids to be spectacular?

• They believed the pharaoh controlled everyone's afterlife.

• They wanted to attract tourists.

• They used the pyramids as storage for food.

• They wanted to compete with other civilizations.

Multiple Choice

How did the Egyptians ensure the pharaoh's safety after death according to the Pyramid Texts?

• By writing magical spells and hymns on the tomb

• By building larger pyramids

• By burying treasures with the pharaoh

• By painting the walls with hieroglyphics