Chapter 5: Ancient Sumer

What did ancient Sumerian's inventions of the plow and irrigation systems help provide for them?

• a system of government

• a partner with whom to trade

• an honor for the gods

• A steady supply of food

What was the Sumerians written language called?

• pictograph

• symbols

• cuneiform

• alphabet

Which statement shows how Sumerian religion and government were connected?

• Sumerians believed that the king got power from the gods

• Sumerians believed that merchants sold goods for the king

• Sumerians recorded their prayers on clay tablets

• Sumerians recorded the movements of the planets

The Sumerians invented something that made it possible for armies to use chariots. What was it?

• Harnesses

• swords

• horseshoes

• Wheels

What evidence shows that Sumerians were not prehistoric?

• ziggurats

• statues

• irrigation ditches

• written laws

Whose duty was it to do these jobs: build temples, lead the army, and enforce laws?

• the king's

• the priests'

• the scribes'

• the governors'

What is the one problem the city-states of Sumer faced by remaining independent?

• They were unable to trade their crops with smaller groups

• They had to spend a lot of time conquering other groups

• They had to get most of what they needed from larger groups

• They were unable to defend themselves against stronger groups

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of civilization?

• stable food supply

• social structure

• advances in technology

• the making of coins

Which invention helped the Sumerians with their food supply the most?

• plow

• rake

• hole poker

• cattle

Who was in charge of the government in Ancient Sumer?

• kings

• queens

• polititions

• common people