Ancient Sumer

A society has a stable food supply if

• it gives food to the king

• it has enough food for its people

• it buys food from other groups

• it gets food by hunting and fishing

The Sumerian civilization had a social structure with different social levels and jobs. A social structure is:

• the way a civilization is organized

• how many taxes a king collects from slaves

• the way scribes record social events

• how the government treats the lower classes

Which of these ancient Sumerians most likely lived in a larger, two-story, house near the center of the city?

• a metalworker

• a fisherman

• a government official, such as a scribe

• a merchant

Small, mud-brick houses at the edge of the city were the homes of

• slaves

• traders

• potters

• farmers

Which one of these inventions most affected the food supply in Sumer?

• the arch

• the plow

• the wheel

• the chariot

Who had the responsibilities of:

Leading the army

Enforcing the laws

Building Temples

• The King

• the priests

• the scribes

• the council

Which Sumerian belief about the king helped strengthen the social order?

• He was supported by the gods

• He cared most about the poor

• He consulted with wise advisers

• He wanted everyone to be happy

Why were scribes important in Sumerian government?

• to entertain the rulers

• to write down the laws

• to collect people's taxes

• to teach the royal children

The building in the picture was most closely related to which of these features of Sumerian civilization?

• food

• writing

• religion

• government

What was the main use of the items listed here?

Drums

Pipes

Lyres

• warfare

• irrigation

• construction

• musical entertainment