Sumerian Civilization: Section 1-3

What were the challenges faced by the Sumerians in their environment?

• Hot summers and little rain

• Frequent flooding of rivers

• Both hot summers and little rain

• None of the above

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a civilization?

• Stable food supply

• Social structure with different social levels and jobs

• Religious system

• Nomadic lifestyle

What were the two key inventions made by the Sumerians to create a stable food supply?

• Complex irrigation systems and plow

• Dams and reservoirs

• Animal horns and pointed sticks

• Regular water supply and oxen

What was the purpose of the Sumerian irrigation systems?

• To provide a regular water supply for crops

• To prevent flooding of rivers

• To create reservoirs for fishing

• To build canals for transportation

What was the purpose of the Sumerian plow?

• To cut into the ground and turn the soil

• To plant seeds in the holes

• To pull the irrigation systems

• To build dams and reservoirs

What material was the first Sumerian plow made of?

• Wood

• Stone

• Metal

• Clay

How did the Sumerians use the plow?

• They pushed and pulled it along the ground

• They used it for fishing

• They used it for transportation

• They used it for building dams

Who or what could be used to pull the Sumerian plow?

• Animals such as oxen

• Farmers themselves

• Dams and reservoirs

• Complex irrigation systems

A society has a stable food supply if:

• it gives all food to the king.

• it has enough food for the people

• it buys food from other groups

• it only kills animals for food

A Sumerian social structure has different jobs and social levels. This helps...

• ..keep cities organized.

• ..how taxes are collected.

• ..the government control the lower classes

• ..the scribes record events