Early Civilisations

14 Grade 8 Social Studies questions on Early Civilisations, with worked marking schemes. 14 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   4 marks

   State four conditions that favoured the rise of early civilisations in river valleys.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any 4, 1 mark each: fertile soils from river flooding for farming; reliable water supply for irrigation/drinking; rivers used for transport and trade; surplus food allowing specialisation of jobs; favourable climate; flat land for settlement.

2. Question 2

   1 mark

   The Mesopotamian civilisation developed between the rivers Tigris and:

   A. Euphrates

   B. Jordan

   C. Indus

   D. Nile

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   1 mark

   The huge stone tombs built by the ancient Egyptians for their pharaohs were the:

   A. Obelisks

   B. Pyramids

   C. Temples

   D. Ziggurats

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   The development of irrigation in early civilisations led MAINLY to:

   A. Increased food production and population growth

   B. The abandonment of river valleys

   C. A decrease in trade

   D. The end of farming

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   4 marks

   The civilisation of Ancient Egypt developed along the River Nile.

   (a) Give two reasons why early civilisation developed along the River Nile valley.

   (b) State two contributions of the Ancient Egyptian civilisation to the modern world.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Reasons civilisation developed along the River Nile valley: - The fertile soils deposited by the river floods supported farming/agriculture. - The river provided a reliable supply of water for irrigation and domestic use. - The river was used as a means of transport. - It provided fish as a source of food. (Any two) (b) Contributions of Ancient Egyptian civilisation: - Development of writing (hieroglyphics). - Invention of a calendar. - Knowledge of mathematics and geometry. - Architecture (building of pyramids). - Medicine and mummification/embalming. (Any two)

6. Question 6

   1 mark

   Which ancient African civilisation along the River Nile is best known for building pyramids as royal tombs?

   A. Ghana

   B. Mali

   C. Egypt

   D. Great Zimbabwe

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   The form of picture writing developed by the ancient Egyptians was known as:

   A. Hieroglyphics

   B. Calligraphy

   C. Pictograms

   D. Cuneiform

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   The ancient Egyptian civilisation developed along the banks of which river?

   A. River Congo

   B. River Niger

   C. River Nile

   D. River Zambezi

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   A historian finds the remains of an ancient city with planned streets, drainage systems and brick houses near the River Indus. This is MOST likely evidence of the:

   A. Egyptian civilisation

   B. Greek civilisation

   C. Indus Valley civilisation

   D. Roman civilisation

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    4 marks

    Identify two early civilisations and the river or region where each developed.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any 2 correct pairs, 2 marks each (1 for civilisation, 1 for location): Egyptian – River Nile; Mesopotamian/Sumerian – Tigris and Euphrates rivers; Indus Valley – River Indus; Chinese – Huang He (Yellow) River.

11. Question 11

    6 marks

    Explain three contributions of the ancient Egyptian civilisation to the modern world.

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any 3, 2 marks each (point + explanation): writing (hieroglyphics) improved record keeping and communication; the 365-day calendar based on the sun influenced modern timekeeping; advances in medicine/mummification contributed to medical knowledge; mathematics and geometry used in building pyramids advanced engineering; paper-making from papyrus.

12. Question 12

    1 mark

    The Sumerians of Mesopotamia wrote on clay tablets using a script known as:

    A. Hieroglyphics

    B. Cuneiform

    C. Sanskrit

    D. Braille

    (1 mark)

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13. Question 13

    1 mark

    Which of the following was a MAJOR achievement of early civilisations that improved record keeping and trade?

    A. The invention of writing

    B. The use of mobile phones

    C. The invention of the wheel barrow

    D. The discovery of electricity

    (1 mark)

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14. Question 14

    1 mark

    Why did most early civilisations develop along river valleys?

    A. Rivers provided gold and silver

    B. Rivers provided water for farming, drinking and transport

    C. Rivers protected them from wild animals

    D. Rivers prevented diseases

    (1 mark)

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