6th Grade Social Studies Assessment 6

Ancient Egypt was governed by a series of dynasties. When a dynasty collapsed, a new pharaoh emerged to found a new dynasty. Which of the following is the best definition of the term dynasty?

• A group of priests

• A group of nobles

• A ruling family

• A large bureaucracy

What were the benefits of the Egyptians settling near the Nile?

• Transportation

• Natural barriers

• Fertile soil for farming

• All of the above

Which statement best describes the burial practices of the Egyptians?

• Egyptians preserved bodies as mummies.

• Egyptians carried their dead to neighboring countries.

• Egyptians used a funeral pyre for their dead.

• Egyptians buried their dead in the river.

Why were tombs filled with art, jewelry, and other treasures?

• The tombs served as museums.

• The tombs were the private storage rooms of the pharaoh.

• Egyptians believed tombs to be the safest places in the kingdom.

• Egyptians believed the dead enjoyed such materials in the afterlife.

Study the table and answer the questions. Achievements of Ancient Egypt - Construction of the Sphinx at Giza - ? - Creation of papyrus as a medium for writing Which entry would you add to the table?

• Developed the writing system of hieroglyphics

• Developed the mathematical concept of zero

• Constructed a defensive wall on the northern frontier

• Constructed massive ziggurats as tombs for rulers

Pyramids did not stand alone but were part of a group of buildings which included temples, chapels, and other tombs, and massive walls. Remnants of funerary boats have also been excavated; the best preserved is at Giza. On the walls of fifth and sixth dynasty pyramids are inscriptions known as Pyramid Texts, an important source of information about Egyptian religion. The scarcity of ancient records, however, makes it difficult to be sure of the uses of all the buildings in the pyramid complex or the exact burial procedures. It is thought that the king’s body was brought by boats up the Nile to the pyramid site and probably mummified in the Valle Temple before being placed in the pyramid for burial.

• the site of political assemblies

• built as stand-alone structures

• monumental feats of architecture

• necessary for agricultural practices

What is the name of the paper that the ancient Egyptians developed for writing?

• Vellium

• Tissue

• Papyrus

• Parchment

Ancient Egyptians used pictographs for writing. This system of writing is called...

• Phonetics

• Cuneiform

• Hieroglyphics

• Calligraphy

A government run by religious leaders and religious laws

• Democracy

• Theocracy

• Monarchy

• Dictatorship

A powerful ruler in Egypt

• Merchant

• Scribe

• Pharaoh

• Vizier