Sumerian Life Passage Worksheet
Unit 2 • Lesson 1 Homework
Life in Ancient Sumer
Name:
Date: Team:
Directions: Read the story about Sumer, one of the world's first civilizations. As you read, look for the special words from the Word Bank. On page 2, you will write a summary and answer questions!
Mesopotamia Word Bank
Mesopotamia A land between two big rivers.
Silt Rich, soft dirt left by floods that helps crops grow.
Irrigation Digging paths to bring water to dry fields.
Clay Tablet A flat slab of soft mud used for writing.
Part 1
The Land Between Two Rivers
Long ago, over 5,000 years in the past, people built a civilization called Sumer. It was in a place called Mesopotamia. This land sat between two big, winding rivers named the Tigris and the Euphrates.
The weather was very hot and dry. Rain rarely fell. But every spring, the rivers melted snow from faraway mountains and flooded the banks. The water left behind a thick layer of rich, dark dirt called silt. Silt was like magic food for seeds!
Part 2
Clever Farmers & New Jobs
The farmers did not just wait for rain. They worked as a team to dig deep ditches and canals. This brought fresh water straight from the rivers to their thirsty plants. This is called irrigation. Soon, fields bloomed with barley grain, wheat, and sweet dates.
Because farming worked so well, there was plenty of food for everyone. Not every person needed to work on a farm! People started doing different jobs. Some became builders who made giant temples called ziggurats. Others became weavers, traders, or makers of fine clay pots.
Tip: Underline one amazing fact you learned on this page! Page 1 of 2
Life in Ancient Sumer • Continued
Name:
Part 3
Writing and Inventions
As cities grew, traders needed a way to count and remember their goods. First, they drew little pictures called pictograms. Later, they created symbols for sounds. They pressed a pointy reed stick called a stylus into soft, wet clay tablets. When the tablets dried in the sun, the writing stayed forever!
Other groups of people saw this smart idea and began using the Sumerian writing system too. The Sumerians also invented the first wooden plow, sailboats to ride the rivers, and a 12-month calendar based on the moon!
Guided Summary
Complete the sentences below to show the big ideas of the passage.
1. The Sumerians grew plenty of crops because the rivers brought
2. Because there was extra food, people were able to
3. To keep track of their trade, the Sumerians invented
Question 1: Why did the spring floods help the farmers in Sumer?
A The floods washed away all of their homes and tools.
B The floods left behind rich silt that made the soil great for growing.
C The floods turned all of the farmland into dry sand and rock.
Question 2: Which fact from the story shows that Sumerian writing spread to other places?
A Other cultures began using the Sumerian way of writing.
B Sumerians pressed a reed stylus into soft, wet clay tablets.
C Traders drew little pictures called pictograms at first.
Great job reading like a historian! Check your work before turning in. Page 2 of 2
