Lesson 5: Ancient Sumer

A society has a stable food supply if

• A. it gives food to the king.

• B. it has enough food for its people.

• C. it buys food from other groups.

• D. it gets food by hunting and fishing.

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

• A. the way a civilization is organized.

• B. how many taxes a king collects from slaves.

• C. the way scribes record social events.

• D. how the government treats the lower classes.

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

• A. a skilled metalworker

• B. a fisherman

• C. a government official

• D. a merchant

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

• A. slaves.

• B. traders.

• C. potters.

• D. farmers.

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

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Who had these responsibilities? Lead army, enforce laws, build temples.

• A. the king

• B. the priests

• C. the scribes

• D. the council

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

• A. He was supported by the gods.

• B. He cared most about the poor.

• C. He consulted with wise advisers.

• D. He wanted everyone to be happy

Why were scribes important in Sumerian government?

• A. to entertain the rulers

• B. to write down the laws

• C. to collect people's taxes

• D. to teach the royal children

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

• A. food

• B. writing

• C. religion

• D. government

Which evidence shows that the Sumerians lived after the Stone Age?

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