Name: Date:

Ancient Sumer Test Chapters 4-5

Study Guide
Test Date ________________________

Review all worksheets, questions of the day, and homework for chapters 4 and 5.
Review the 7 characteristics of civilization and how cities were formed as well as the 4
problems.

Test will be multiple-choice, fill-in the blank, matching, and an extended response

Section I: Vocabulary

You will need to know the following terms.

 Levee  Social structure  Scribe

 Cuneiform  Pictograph  Mesopotamia
 Civilization  Culture  Chariot
 City-states  Irrigation systems  Technology

Directions: Fill-in the term that matches the definition.

_________________________writing that uses wedge-shaped structures

_________________________an early city that was like a small, independent country with its own
laws and government.
_________________________a person who writes
_________________________the way a society or civilization is organized
_________________________means of supplying land with water
_________________________a symbol that stands for an object
_________________________wall of earth built to prevent a river from flooding
_________________________in Greek, means located between two rivers
_________________________2 wheeled vehicle
_________________________beliefs and behaviors of a group of people
_________________________use of tools and other inventions for daily life
_________________________culture marked by development in arts, sciences, government & social
structures

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Section II: Short Answer

Directions: Answer each question by first restating the question. The first two questions have been
restated for you. Try to practice restating the question for #3-10 as well as answering it.

1. Early Sumerian cities were walled settlements surrounded by farmland. What does this
arrangement tell you about the Sumerians?

The fact that Early Sumerian cities were surrounded by farmland tells us_____________

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2. What change led people to move south to the plains?

The change that caused people to move to the plains was_________________________

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3. Why did small Sumerian villages join together and work together to create the first cities?

___________________________________________________________________________

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4. How was Sumerian religion and government connected?

___________________________________________________________________________

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5. What evidence shows that Sumerians were not prehistoric?

___________________________________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________________________________
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6. The upper class, common class, and slaves are examples of which characteristic of civilization
for ancient Sumer?

______________________________________________________________________________

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7. A ziggurat is an example of which characteristic of civilization?

______________________________________________________________________________

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8. Musicians, architects, and painters of ancient Sumer represent which characteristic of

civilization?

______________________________________________________________________________

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9. What were some inventions of the ancient Sumerians?

______________________________________________________________________________

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10. Why were Sumer, Ur, and Uruk called city-states?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

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Section III: Extended Response

Directions: The question below is the Extended Response Question that will be on your test.
Use the graphic organizers below to help you organize your information.

Based on the information discussed in the text and in class, would you consider Ancient Sumer a
civilization? Defend your answer using details from the unit. Be sure to address at least five (5) of
the characteristics of a civilization. Please underline them in your answer.

Characteristic
of
Civilizations

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

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_____________________________________________________________
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Section IV: Mesopotamia’s Problems

Directions: In the chart below, fill in the solutions that helped Sumerians deal with their
problems.
Problems Solutions

Food storage

Uncontrolled water
supply

Difficulties in building
and maintain an
irrigation system

Attacks by
neighboring
communities

Directions: Fill in the blanks using the word bank to complete the diagram below.

_________________________________________________ caused

Mesopotamians to move to the river valley

__________________________________________________ caused

Mesopotamians to build irrigation systems

___________________________________________________ among the

small villages to remove silt from the irrigation systems caused

Mesopotamians to live in large communities which led to

___________________________________________________ over water.

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 Word Bank
Uncontrolled water supply Cooperation
Food shortages Conflict