I. Answer in 1 word or 1 sentence.

Question 1.
On which river bank did the Egyptian civilization develop? –
Answer:
Nile

Question 2.
What is the Egyptian writing called as?
Answer:
Hieroglyphics

Question 3.
Who is the first woman empress of the world?
Answer:
Hatshepsut

Question 4.
Why did Egyptians preserve the dead bodies of their kings?
Answer:
Belief in life after death

Question 5.
Which is the biggest Pyramid in the world?
Answer:
Pyramid of Giza

Question 6.
What is the meaning of Mesopotamia?
Answer:
Land between two rivers

Question 7.
Who built the Hanging Garden?
Answer:
Nebuchadnezzar II

Question 8.
What is a Ziggurat?
Answer:
Pyramid-shaped temple tower

Question 9.
Who was the greatest ruler of China?
Answer:
Shih Huang Ti

Question 10.
Who was the proponent of Taoism?
Answer:
Lao Tzu

Question 11.
Who popularized Buddhism in China?
Answer:
Ming Ti

II. Answer in 2 word or 2 sentence.

Question 1.
Mention any two important inventions that helped the growth of civilizations.
Answer:
Wheel and agriculture.

Question 2.
Define civilization.
Answer:
A mature, organized human society with material and cultural development.

Question 3.
Name any two ancient civilizations.
Answer:
Egyptian and Mesopotamian.

Question 4.
Why are river valleys called the cradles of civilization?  
Answer:
They provided fertile soil and water, supporting settled life.

Question 5.
Why is Egypt called the ‘Gift of Nile’?
Answer:
Nile’s fertile plains and water enabled Egypt’s agriculture and survival.

Question 6.
Name any two Gods and Goddesses of Egypt.
Answer:
Amon Ra and Isis.

Question 7.
Why is Mesopotamia called as ‘the cradle and grave’ of civilization?
Answer:
It saw both the rise and fall of early civilizations.

Question 8.
Write any two causes responsible for the decline of Mesopotamian civilization.
Answer:
Foreign invasions and internal conflicts.

Question 9.
Name the river valley on which Chinese civilization flourished.
Answer:
Hwang Ho valley.

Question 10.
Who built the Great Wall of China? Why?
Answer:
Shih Huang Ti, to protect China from invasions.

Question 11.
Mention any two important scientific inventions of Chinese.
Answer:
Paper and gunpowder.

Question 12.
Name any two important Philosophers of Ancient China. Answer:
Confucius and Lao Tzu.

III. Answer in 15 – 20 sentence.

Question 1.
Define civilization. Distinguish between civilization and culture.
Answer:
Civilization is a more matured and organized stage of human society where people live together in cities or city-states, with advancements in governance, technology, economy, and social structure. The word “civilization” is derived from the Latin word Civilis, meaning city. Civilization is often associated with material progress, while culture represents the spiritual, artistic, and intellectual achievements of a society.
Differences:

• Nature: Culture is mostly internal (thoughts, beliefs, traditions), while civilization is external (technology, buildings, cities).
• Components: Culture includes religion, art, literature, food, dress, and customs; civilization includes towns, transport, architecture, and infrastructure.
• Measurement: Culture has no standard of measurement, but civilization can be measured in terms of development.
• Order of Development: Culture comes first, civilization later.
• Dependency: There can be culture without civilization, but no civilization without culture.

Question 2.
Discuss the factors that helped the growth of civilization.
Answer:
Several factors contributed to the growth of civilization:

1. Fertile soil: Floods of rivers deposited rich alluvial soil suitable for farming.
2. Water supply: Rivers provided uninterrupted water for irrigation and domestic use.
3. Favourable climate: Mild weather in river valleys supported farming and habitation.
4. Abundant food: Agriculture and fishing ensured sufficient food and fodder for animals.
5. Trade and communication: Rivers acted as natural highways, boosting trade.
6. Leisure for creativity: Availability of food and safety gave people time to develop arts and crafts.
7. Discovery of metals: Tools, weapons, and ornaments improved living standards.
8. Inventions: Wheel, pottery, weaving, and building techniques advanced society.
9. Settled life: Farming encouraged permanent settlements, leading to cities.

Question 3.
Explain the political conditions of Egyptian civilization.
Answer:
The Egyptian political system was a strong monarchy headed by the Pharaoh, considered the representative of God on earth. The early period saw the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt by King Menes around 3000 B.C.E., with Memphis as the capital. Egyptian history is divided into three periods:

• Old Kingdom: Known as the “Period of Pyramids,” Pharaohs held supreme power, assisted by a Vizir (Prime Minister) and council of elders.
• Middle Kingdom: Feudal lords gained power, causing instability; Pharaoh Amenhotep I restored authority.
• New Kingdom: Expansion under rulers like Thutmose I and Queen Hatshepsut.
  The administration had central and local officers for tax collection, law, and record-keeping. The Pharaoh was both head of state and religion, ensuring centralized control.

Question 4.
Write a short note on learning and literature of Egyptian civilization.
Answer:
Egyptians developed Hieroglyphics, a pictographic writing system with symbols representing sounds and words. Writing was done on papyrus. Important works include The Book of the Dead, Coffin Texts, and folk tales like The Story of the Shipwrecked Sailor. Education was state-controlled, beginning at age five and lasting 12 years, often in temple schools. Higher education was given by officials. Egyptians excelled in mathematics, geometry, astronomy, and medicine. They calculated areas of shapes, developed a solar calendar of 365 days, and invented the shadow clock. Priests were the main scholars, preserving knowledge in religion, science, and administration.

Question 5.
Write a note on Art and Architecture of Egyptians.
Answer:
Egyptian art and architecture were closely linked to religion and the afterlife. They built grand temples for gods and pyramids as royal tombs. Walls of temples were decorated with paintings and carvings. Notable structures include:

• The Sphinx: A colossal statue with a lion’s body and human head.
• Pyramid of Giza: Tomb of King Khufu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• Luxor Temple: Lined with Sphinx statues and massive obelisks.
  They used limestone, granite, and sandstone in construction. Their work displayed high skill, symmetry, and durability, surviving thousands of years.

Question 6.
Write a short note on Code of Hammurabi.
Answer:
The Code of Hammurabi, introduced by the Babylonian king Hammurabi around 1754 B.C.E., is one of the oldest known legal codes. It consists of 282 laws carved on a stone pillar. The laws covered trade, family, labour, property, and criminal justice. The principle followed was “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” The code aimed to protect the weak, ensure justice, and maintain social order. It provides valuable insight into Mesopotamian society, economy, and governance.

Question 7.
Write about socio-economic condition of Mesopotamia.
Answer:
Mesopotamian society had distinct classes: nobles, priests, merchants, farmers, and slaves. Priests held high status as intermediaries with gods. The economy was primarily agrarian, supported by fertile river valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates. They grew barley, wheat, dates, and vegetables. Irrigation systems and canals were developed. Trade was important, with goods exchanged via barter and silver. They traded textiles, grains, and metals with neighbouring regions. Handicrafts, pottery, and metallurgy flourished. Heavy taxes were collected in kind and silver. Slavery existed, mainly war captives and debtors.

Question 8.
Write a note on Confucius and his Philosophy.
Answer:
Confucius (551–479 B.C.E.) was a Chinese philosopher whose teachings shaped Chinese thought and governance. He emphasized morality, proper conduct, and respect for elders. His philosophy, known as Confucianism, focused on the importance of family, social harmony, and ethical governance. He taught that rulers should govern by virtue, not fear. Key values include filial piety, justice, honesty, and education. His sayings were compiled in The Analects. Confucianism became the guiding principle for Chinese civil service and social order for centuries.

Question 9.
Write a note on Art and Architecture of China.
Answer:
Chinese art and architecture reflect harmony with nature, symmetry, and symbolism. Palaces and temples were built with wooden frameworks, curved roofs, and decorated eaves. The Great Wall of China, built under Shih Huang Ti, is a monumental example of ancient engineering. Pagodas, Buddhist temples, and imperial palaces showcased intricate carvings, paintings, and lacquer work. Chinese pottery, porcelain, jade carving, and calligraphy were highly developed. Their art often depicted landscapes, flowers, birds, and dragons as symbols of power and prosperity.

Question 10.
Write a note on writing and literature of China.
Answer:
Chinese writing began as pictographs and evolved into ideographs, where symbols represented ideas. The script was complex and standardized under the Qin dynasty. Bamboo strips, silk, and later paper were used for writing. Literature included historical records like Shi Ji (Records of the Grand Historian) by Sima Qian, poetry, philosophical works by Confucius and Lao Tzu, and military strategy like The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Printing technology in later centuries spread literature widely. Chinese literature combined moral lessons, history, poetry, and philosophy, deeply influencing East Asian culture.

IV. Answer in 30 – 40 sentence.

Question 1.
Describe the contributions of Egyptian civilization.

Answer:
The Egyptian civilization flourished along the Nile River. Agriculture developed due to fertile soil from annual floods. Egyptians invented irrigation systems and used the shaduf for lifting water. Politically, Pharaohs ruled as god-kings with centralized authority. They developed a taxation system and maintained strong administration. In religion, they worshipped many gods like Amon Ra, Osiris, and Isis, and believed in life after death. This led to mummification to preserve bodies.

Architecturally, they built massive pyramids, temples, and sphinxes, showing advanced engineering skills. The Great Pyramid of Giza remains a world wonder. Egyptians developed hieroglyphic writing, using papyrus for records. They made progress in mathematics, geometry, and medicine, including surgical practices. In art, they excelled in sculpture, wall paintings, and jewellery making. Their calendar of 365 days was highly accurate. Overall, they contributed to governance, science, art, and culture, influencing later civilizations.

Question 2.
Describe the contributions of Mesopotamian civilization.

Answer:
Mesopotamia, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, is called the cradle of civilization. They developed irrigation and plough techniques for agriculture. Politically, city-states like Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria emerged. Hammurabi’s Code, one of the earliest written laws, ensured justice and order. Religion was polytheistic, with temples (ziggurats) dedicated to gods. In architecture, ziggurats and palaces reflected their engineering skills.

They developed cuneiform writing on clay tablets, preserving records of trade, laws, and literature like the Epic of Gilgamesh. Mesopotamians made advances in astronomy, mathematics, and time measurement (division into 60 minutes). They excelled in pottery, weaving, and metalwork. Trade flourished with neighbouring regions. Socially, there was a clear class system: nobles, commoners, and slaves. Their contributions in law, literature, architecture, and science laid foundations for future civilizations.

Question 3.
Describe the contributions of Chinese civilization.

Answer:
The Chinese civilization developed along the Hwang Ho (Yellow River). Agriculture thrived with millet, rice, and wheat cultivation. Politically, strong dynasties like Shang, Zhou, Qin, and Han ruled. Emperor Shih Huang Ti unified China and built the Great Wall for protection. Confucius and Lao Tzu shaped philosophy—Confucianism stressed morality and duty, Taoism harmony with nature. In science, Chinese invented paper, printing, gunpowder, compass, and silk production. They developed accurate calendars and studied astronomy.

Architecture included palaces, pagodas, and the Great Wall. Chinese art featured calligraphy, porcelain, bronze casting, and landscape painting. Literature included philosophical works, poetry, and historical records. Trade flourished via the Silk Route, spreading goods and ideas. Social life valued family, respect for elders, and education. Their lasting contributions in governance, philosophy, inventions, and art influenced the world.