Exploring the Key Features of Civilization

What are the five key characteristics of a civilization?

• Large populations, trade centers, agriculture, religion, government

• Advanced cities, specialized workers, complex institutions, record-keeping, advanced technology

• Writing systems, agriculture, trade, technology, religion

• Specialized jobs, large cities, trade, government, religion

What allowed the growth of human population and the emergence of towns and cities?

• Development of trade

• Development of agriculture

• Development of technology

• Development of religion

Where did historians believe one of the first civilizations arose?

• Sumer

• China

• India

• Egypt

What did improved agriculture and an abundance of food allow people to do?

• Develop new religions

• Trade over longer distances

• Build larger cities

• Develop skills other than farming

What was necessary as populations grew?

• Building more temples

• Setting up governments

• Developing new technologies

• Creating new religions

What became formal institutions in ancient civilizations?

• Technologies

• Trade centers

• Agricultural practices

• Religions

Why did people need to keep records in ancient civilizations?

• To record technological advancements

• To track trade routes

• To document religious practices

• To manage complex governments, religions, and economies

What invention helped produce food for more people?

• The sail

• The wheel

• The printing press

• The plow

What enabled traders to move goods over longer distances?

• The printing press

• The wheel

• The plow

• The sail

How are ancient cities similar to modern cities?

• Both rely heavily on agriculture

• Both have limited technological advancements

• Both have large populations and are centers of trade

• Both have simple forms of government