Mesopotamia (DE sections 3.1 - 3.3)

Which statement best explains why historians chose the name Mesopotamia for the region where Iraq and eastern Syria are now located

• The region has highly fertile soil

• The region was bordered by rivers on two sides

• The region was occupied by a diverse group of peoples

Mesopotamian traders were able to ship goods to other civilizations by sending them

• in the small satchels of passing nomads

• along unused irrigation channels

• on river boats to the Persian Gulf

The success of ancient Mesopotamia shows the importance of which of these factors for the development of civilization

• military power

• architectural knowledge

• food production

What was the main benefit provided by the floods in ancient Mesopotamia?

• highly fertile soil

• strong natural defenses

• a steady supply of fresh drinking water

Just northeast of Eridu, the city of Ur was another important settlement. The ruins of Ur lie about halfway between the modern city of Baghdad and the opening of the Persian Gulf in the Arabian Sea.

A wealthy person in the ancient Mesopotamian city of Ur was most likely to have grown rich by

• selling supplies to river boat owners and sea captains

• importing and selling luxury goods from other civilizations

• owning a large amount of farmland in the surrounding area

• manufacturing and selling clay bricks for buildings and dams

Which statement best explains why flood control was important to ancient Mesopotamia?

• Flooded rivers were an important power source

• The rivers were the main source of transportation

• Important trade routes cut across the flood plains

• Annual flooding often damaged crops and settlements

Developments in metalworking in ancient Mesopotamia provided which of these for farmers?

• lighter wagons

• stronger plows

• sturdier farm fences

• better irrigation pipes

Which statement best applies to polytheism?

• there is a heaven

• there are many gods

• the spirits control your life

• there is only one god/goddess

Which statement best explains why it was uncommon for an ancient Mesopotamian woman to work as a scribe?

• women could not own property

• scribes were forbidden by law to have children

• food production and supplies would decrease if women left farm work

• very few women were taught how to read and write

Which statement best explains why Mesopotamian kings organized the construction of ziggurats?

• ziggurats gave the gods a place in the city-state from which they could better protect the people

• Ziggurats showed Mesopotamians, as well as outsiders, that the city-state was wealthy and powerful

• Ziggurats served as public meeting places that made it easier for officials to conduct government business

• Ziggurats provided poor Mesopotamians with food and shelter so that they would not threaten the power of the king