SOCIAL STUDIES GRADE 6 MID-YEAR ASSESSMENT STUDY GUIDE  ANSWER KEY

NAME:  ________________ DATE:  ______________

 

1. Who was the iceman and why did scientists want to study him?

The iceman was a man whose frozen body was found in 1991 in a mountain pass in the Alps. He’s in a museum in Bolzano, Italy. Scientists wanted to learn about his life and the society in which he lived.

 

2. What did scientists learn about the iceman?

They learned that the iceman lived during the Copper Age about 5000 years ago. He had an arrowhead in his shoulder and knife wounds on his hand.

 

3. What was the “Stone Age”?

The Stone Age is the earliest known period of human culture when ancient peoples made lasting tools and weapons, mainly from stone, woods, bone, and horn.

 

4a. What were the important events of each period in the Stone Age?

OLD STONE AGE: Humans did not yet know how to farm. They were hunter-gatherers. Most of prehistory occurs during the Old Stone Age. People are nomads. Once they learn to create fire, they can move to colder climates.

 

MIDDLE STONE AGE: Although people still primarily used stone tools, these tools were more advanced or refined. Humans were still nomadic.

 

NEW STONE AGE: During the New Stone Age, people began to settle in one place. And farm and raise animals. Surplus food leads to rapid population growth and a division of labor begins. People, for the first time, become artisans.

 

4b. How did the Old Stone Age differ from the new Stone Age?

In the Old Stone Age, people were hunter-gatherers. They moved from place to place. In the New Stone Age, people were farmers who remained in one place.

 

5. What made civilization develop in the Fertile Crescent?

Civilization developed in the Fertile Crescent because the rivers there flooded and deposited rich silt. This soil provided the rich farmland where the food grew well. Farming settlements also used the water for cooking, bathing, and transportation. This allowed them to develop into cities.

 

6. The word Mesopotamia comes from two Greek words that mean what?

Meso means “between” and potamus means “rivers.” Hence, Mesopotamia means the “land between the rivers.”

 

7. What were the two major empires in Mesopotamia?

The major empires in Mesoptamia were the Babylonian and the Assyrian.

 

8. What were their similarities and their differences?

Both empires covered large amounts of territory and had strong armies. Both were centers of great learning.

They differed in that the Babylon united the cities of Sumer and stretched to Asia Minor. Assyria, on the other hand, stretched across the Fertile Crescent from the Nile River to the Persian Gulf. 

 

9. What is Hammurabi’s Code?

Babylonian ruler Hammurabi (1792-1750 B.C.) set down rules for everyone in his empire to follow. They were designed to help people settle conflicts.

 

10. Why is Hammurabi’s Code significant?

Hammurabi’s Code marks the first time that laws had been written down in such as comprehensive way. Later, the Israelites lived by a code of laws called the Ten Commandments.

 

11. Discuss the first system of writing that was developed.

Writing first developed in Mesopotamia in about 3100 B.C. Writing helped the Sumerian people of Mesopotamia to keep records. The first writing seems to have been a system of wedges and lines called cuneiform.

 

 12.  Describe how and why cities grew in early civilizations?

Once people settled down and began to farm in the New Stone Age, surplus food was grown. Families then grew in size, people took different jobs, and governments were needed.

 

13. Why was the Nile River important to the everyday life of the Egyptian people?

When the Nile River flooded, it left behind a rich silt. This created fertile farmland in the river valley where crops could be grown.

 

 

14. What were some reasons why religion was important to the ancient Egyptians?

Religion explained natural events to the Egyptian people. For instance, they believed that if there was famine, the gods were angry and vice versa.

 

15. List and describe the social classes in Egypt.

Once people took different jobs, social classes developed. In ancient Egypt, most people were peasants. The pharaoh was at the top followed by his nobles and the priests. Below them were the merchants and artisans. The peasants, the most populous group, were at the bottom of the social scale. 

 

 

16.  What were some of the major contributions in the areas of science, astronomy, and medicine developed by the Egyptians?

 

Science: astronomers discovered that the Nile floods when the star Sirius appears in the sky just before sunrise (every 365 days). Math: Egyptians could add, subtract, multiply, and divide. They worked with fractions and used geometry. Medicine: They could set broken bones, treat minor injuries, and ease stomachaches and headaches using herbs.

 

17.­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ How was Judaism different from other ancient religions?

The Israelites were monotheistic. They worshiped one God and followed a code of laws called the Ten Commandments.

 

18.  Who were the Phoenicians and what important contributions did they make to civilization?

The Phoenicians lived in the eastern Mediterranean, and they helped spread civilization throughout the area by using ships to trade goods, ideas, and technology. They also developed a simple 22 letter alphabet.  

 

19. Where was Phoenicia located?

Phoenicia was located along the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea.

 

21. How was life in the large cities of early civilizations different from life in the early farming villages?

Large cities had a centralized government, social classes, people with different occupations, and a more developed infrastructure (roads, buildings, etc.)

 

22. Describe the geography of the Nile River and the lands that surround it.

The Nile is the world’s longest river. It flows south to north for over 4000 miles. It has two main sources, the Blue Nile and the White Nile. Just north of where these two rivers meet, the Nile makes two huge bends. The Nubian section of the Nile has six cataracts.

 

23. Describe the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms in ancient Egypt.

OLD KINGDOM (2686-2181 B.C.) (Dynasties 3-6) During the

Old Kingdom, the pharaohs kept the peace and traded with Nubia. There were only occasional conflicts. Toward the end of the Old Kingdom, the government became weak and divided. The Great Pyramid and Great Sphinx were built.

 

 

MIDDLE KINGDOM: (1991-1786 B.C.) (Dynasty 12) Early rulers in the Middle Kingdom restored order and reunited the country. Pharaohs spent the nation’s wealth on public works and not war. They constructed buildings and roads and set aside resources for irrigation projects. As a result, Egypt grew wealthier.

 

NEW KINGDOM: (1567-1085 B.C.) (Dynasties 18-20) During the New Kingdom, foreign invaders were driven out. The new pharaohs wanted to build an empire, so they created huge armies with swords and body armor. Famous rulers of this period include, Tutankhamen, Hatshepsut, and Thutmose III.  

 

24. Discuss the history of writing from the Sumerians to the Phoenicians to the Egyptians.

Cuneiform was first developed in Mesopotamia around 3100 B.C. Its purpose was to help them keep records. At that time, few people could write, so scribes held positions of great respect. The Phoenicians developed a writing system with just 22 symbols. It was far simpler to learn than cuneiform, so many people learned to write. The Egyptians used picture-like symbols called hieroglyphics to keep track of the kingdom’s growing wealth.  

 

25. What was the Rosetta Stone and why was it important?

In 1799, a French soldier digging near Rosetta Egypt, found a large black stone with three different types of writing on it. They were hieroglyphics, demotic, and Greek. Jean Francois Champollion was eventually able to decipher the hieroglyphics using the Greek writing. From that time on, people have been able to read hieroglyphics.

 

26. Between which two rivers was Mesopotamia located?

Mesopotamia was located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

 

27. Why did ancient Egyptian astronomers study the stars?

Ancient Egyptian astronomers studied the stars in order to determine when the Nile would flood.

 

28. Describe the rise of social classes in the ancient world.

Once people became farmers and surplus food was grown, people began to do different jobs. As a result, social classes developed. The king or pharaoh was on the top and most people, the peasants, were on the bottom.

 

29. In what ways did ideas spread in the ancient world?

Ideas spread when people from one region came into contact with people from other regions. This usually occurred because of trade.

 

30. Describe the ancient Egyptians’ belief in the afterlife.

The spirits of the dead made their way to the afterlife in heavenly boats. If they pleased the gods in this world, they joined Osiris and lived a life of ease and pleasure. Because the souls of the dead could not survive without food, clothing, and other items from this life, their possessions were buried with them.

 

31. Why did the Nubians develop trade routes over land?

The Nubians developed trade routes over land because the rough waters of the Nile prevented boats from moving safely through the six cataracts that are found in the Nubian section of the river. 

 

32. What was the geography of Sumer like? How did this affect the way their system of government developed?

The cities of Sumer were separated by long stretches of desert land. As a result, they developed into separate city-states with their own gods and goddesses.

 

33. What is prehistory?

“Pre” means “before”, so prehistory is the time before writing was developed. The use of fire began in prehistory.

 

34. How did the Egyptian pharaohs govern their empire?

The pharaohs governed with absolute power.

 

35. Once early humans began to farm, how did their lives change?

Once they began to farm, people settled in one place. Surplus food was grown, families grew larger, social classes, developed, people had different jobs, and governments were formed.

 

36. What important event occurred in 612 B.C.?

The Medes and Chaldeans joined forces to destroy the Assyrian Empire.

 

37. Trace Israelite history from Abraham through Moses to 587 B.C. when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem.

The Israelites trace their history to Mesopotamia where they lived as shepherds and merchants. Abraham then led his people to the “Promised Land” of Canaan. Many years later, a famine forced them to flee to Egypt where they eventually became slaves. Moses led them to freedom and back to Canaan. Saul was their first king followed by David and then Solomon. Nebuchadnezzer destroyed Jerusalem in 587 B.C.

 

38. What did Herodotus mean when he wrote, “Egypt is the gift of the Nile?”

Egyptian civilization began on the banks of the Nile River because regular flooding resulted in rich soil being deposited. This soil was perfect for farming. The Nile provides Egypt with the gifts of rich soil, water, and a transportation route.

 

39. Who was Menes (Narmer)? What was his most notable accomplishment?

Menes was the pharaoh who united Upper and Lower Egypt.

 

40. Babylon was called a “crossroads of trade.” Why?

Babylon was located between cities to the south and north. Caravans came from Sumer to the south and Assyria to the north.

 

41. In what ways did the inundation (flooding) of the Nile River affect the lives of the ordinary Egyptian?

The lives of the Egyptian peasants were greatly affected by the planting seasons. When the Nile flooded, they built roads and temples. During growing season, they farmed.

 

42. Describe the Kerma kingdom of Nubia.

Kerma gained wealth and power because it controlled the trade between Central Africa and Egypt. It was noted for its skilled artisans whose works have been found in the tombs of pharaohs.

 

43. How did the pattern of settlement differ between the communities of the Fertile Crescent and those of Nubia and Egypt?

In about 6000 B.C., hunting and fishing communities appeared in Nubia. The Nubians, unlike those in the Fertile Crescent, formed settlements before they began to farm.

In about 5000 B.C., farming communities appeared in both Nubia and Egypt.

 

 

44. What valuable metal is found in the rocky desert east of Meroe? In what ways did the people of Meroe use this metal?

Iron ore was found in the desert. They used the iron to make iron weapons and tools which allowed them to take control of trade routes. As a result, Meroe became rich.

 

45. In what ways did Sumerian cities act as states?

Each city had its own gods and goddesses, its own government, and, eventually, its own king.

 

Describe the New Kingdom of Egypt.
At the start of the New Kingdom (1567 B.C.), the foreign invaders had been driven out and the new pharaohs wanted to build an empire. They created huge armies of foot soldiers, mounted warriors, and charioteers. Bronze swords and body armor made the Egyptians nearly unbeatable. Through their efforts, Egypt expanded into Syria and much plunder was brought home.
Notable pharaohs of the New Kingdom include Queen Hatshepsut, Thutmose III and the boy king Tutankhamen.

 

Explain the differences between the Old Stone Age and the New Stone Age.

 In the Old Stone Age people were hunter-gatherers. These nomads had no settled home and found food by hunting animals and gathering roots, nuts, and wild fruits. There was no farming, but they discovered how to make fire sometime during the Old Stone Age. 

The New Stone Age was much different because, by then, people had learned to farm. This meant that most settled in one place where they grew food and domesticated animals. Over time, they began to grow surplus, or extra food, and this led to rapid population growth and a division of labor. This meant that not everyone had to be a farmer because there was more than enough food. As a result, the first artisans appeared during the New Stone Age.

 

 

46. How did Phoenicia's location near the Mediterranean Sea affect its development?

Due to its location near the Mediterranean Sea, Phoenicia became a great sea power, and, through trade, it became a wealthy land. The Phoenicians were the greatest glassblowers of the ancient world and made and sold many items made from glass. They also traded rich purple dye and cedar wood to lands far and near. 

 

 

47. Explain the differences between the Old Stone Age and the New Stone Age.

In the Old Stone Age people were hunter-gatherers. These nomads had no settled home and found food by hunting animals and gathering roots, nuts, and wild fruits. There was no farming, but they discovered how to make fire sometime during the Old Stone Age.

The New Stone Age was much different because, by then, people had learned to farm. This meant that most settled in one place where they grew food and domesticated animals. Over time, they began to grow surplus, or extra food, and this led to rapid population growth and a division of labor. This meant that not everyone had to be a farmer because there was more than enough food. As a result, the first artisans appeared during the New Stone Age.    

 

48. Describe the New Kingdom of Egypt.

At the start of the New Kingdom (1567 B.C.), the foreign invaders had been driven out and the new pharaohs wanted to build an empire. They created huge armies of foot soldiers, mounted warriors, and charioteers. Bronze swords and body armor made the Egyptians nearly unbeatable. Through their efforts, Egypt expanded into Syria and much plunder was brought home.

Notable pharaohs of the New Kingdom include Queen Hatshepsut, Thutmose III and the boy king Tutankhamen. 

 

 DATES TO REMEMBER:

6000 B.C.: The first HUNTING and FISHING villages appeared in Nubia.

5000 B.C.: The first FARMING settlements appeared in Egypt.

612 B.C.: The Medes and Chaldeans destroyed the Assyrian Empire

 

REMEMBER: THE DESIRE TO SUCCEED IS BEST MEASURED BY THE WILL TO PREPARE!