Source-Based Question 1:
Source:
“The earliest writing was used for keeping records. For example, in Mesopotamia, written tablets were used by scribes to record the movement of goods. These early tablets had signs which denoted numbers and commodities, like barley or sheep.”
Questions:
(i) What was the earliest writing used for?
(ii) Who were the scribes?
(iii) Which civilization is being referred to in the source?
(iv) Name any two commodities recorded in early Mesopotamian tablets.
Answers:
(i) The earliest writing was used for keeping records, especially of economic transactions.
(ii) Scribes were trained individuals who could read and write and maintained written records.
(iii) The civilization referred to is the Mesopotamian Civilization.
(iv) Barley and sheep were two commonly recorded commodities.
ЁЯУШ Source-Based Question 2:
Source:
“Mesopotamian kings rewarded those who brought victories in war and ensured peace. Kings also built temples and ensured irrigation for agriculture. The king was regarded as a representative of gods.”
Questions:
(i) What were the responsibilities of the Mesopotamian kings?
(ii) How were victorious soldiers or officials rewarded?
(iii) Why was the king regarded as a representative of gods?
(iv) What was the role of the king in agriculture?
Answers:
(i) The kings were responsible for maintaining law and order, winning wars, building temples, and managing irrigation.
(ii) Victorious individuals were rewarded with gifts, land, or positions.
(iii) Because kings were believed to have been chosen by the gods to rule and maintain harmony.
(iv) The king ensured proper irrigation facilities, which was essential for agriculture.
ЁЯУШ Source-Based Question 3:
Source:
“Cuneiform was the script used in Mesopotamia. It was written on clay tablets using a stylus. The script had wedge-shaped marks and could represent objects or sounds.”
Questions:
(i) What was cuneiform?
(ii) How was cuneiform writing done?
(iii) What materials were used to write in cuneiform?
(iv) What did the script represent?
Answers:
(i) Cuneiform was the script used in ancient Mesopotamia.
(ii) It was written on clay tablets using a reed stylus.
(iii) Clay tablets and styluses (pointed reeds) were used.
(iv) The script represented both objects (pictographs) and sounds (phonetic signs).
ЁЯУШ Source-Based Question 4:
Source:
“Urban life in Mesopotamia was supported by a complex system of canals and irrigation, which helped agriculture thrive. The surplus grain supported non-farming classes such as priests, craftsmen, and scribes.”
Questions:
(i) What supported urban life in Mesopotamia?
(ii) How did canals help agriculture?
(iii) Who were the non-farming classes supported by the surplus grain?
(iv) Why was irrigation important?
Answers:
(i) A complex system of canals and irrigation supported urban life.
(ii) Canals provided water supply to fields, increasing agricultural productivity.
(iii) Priests, craftsmen, and scribes were among the non-farming classes.
(iv) Irrigation was crucial to grow crops in the dry climate of Mesopotamia.
Long Source-Based Question 1
Source Passage:
“Mesopotamian society was divided into social classes. The king occupied the highest position. Below him were nobles, priests, officials, and scribes. Merchants and artisans formed the middle class, while farmers and laborers made up the lower class. Slaves were at the bottom of the social ladder. Women had a lower status than men but could own property and conduct business. Temples owned land and played an important role in the economy, acting not just as places of worship but also as economic institutions.”
Questions:
(i) Describe the social structure of Mesopotamian society.
(ii) What was the role of temples in Mesopotamian life?
(iii) Were women allowed to own property? What was their status?
(iv) Who were considered the lowest in the social hierarchy?
Answers:
(i) Mesopotamian society was hierarchical: the king was at the top, followed by nobles, priests, officials, scribes, then merchants and artisans. Farmers and laborers were below them, and slaves were at the bottom.
(ii) Temples were not only religious centers but also controlled land, stored surplus grains, and lent seeds and animals to farmers. They were powerful economic institutions.
(iii) Yes, women could own property and conduct business, but overall they had a lower status compared to men.
(iv) Slaves were at the bottom of the social hierarchy.
ЁЯУШ Long Source-Based Question 2
Source Passage:
“The earliest Mesopotamian cities emerged in the southern part of the region, known as Sumer. These cities were surrounded by mud walls and had temples, palaces, and residential areas. The cities had a complex layout with streets and alleys. Urban planning included storage rooms, workshops, and large open courtyards. The temples served as both religious and administrative centers. The layout of these cities reflected their importance as centers of trade, administration, and religion.”
Questions:
(i) Where did the earliest Mesopotamian cities emerge?
(ii) What important structures were found inside these cities?
(iii) What role did temples play in urban life?
(iv) What does the layout of the cities tell us about their function?
Answers:
(i) The earliest Mesopotamian cities emerged in Sumer, the southern part of Mesopotamia.
(ii) The cities had mud walls, temples, palaces, residential areas, streets, workshops, and storage rooms.
(iii) Temples were central buildings that served as both religious and administrative centers.
(iv) The city layout shows that Mesopotamian cities were planned centers of trade, religion, and governance.
ЁЯУШ Long Source-Based Question 3
Source Passage:
“The invention of writing in Mesopotamia was a major breakthrough. Initially, writing developed as a method to keep accounts and records for trade and administration. Clay tablets were used, and the script used was cuneiform. The script evolved over time, with pictographic signs becoming more abstract. Scribes had to undergo years of training. Writing was not common among ordinary people and was limited to an elite group who could afford education.”
Questions:
(i) Why was writing invented in Mesopotamia?
(ii) What material and script were used for writing?
(iii) Who were the scribes and how were they trained?
(iv) Was writing a common skill among Mesopotamians?
Answers:
(i) Writing was invented for keeping records of trade and administrative activities.
(ii) Writing was done on clay tablets using the cuneiform script.
(iii) Scribes were professionals trained to read and write, and their training lasted for many years.
(iv) No, writing was not common. It was restricted to the elite who could afford education.
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