Topic 2 Assessment

1. Identify and Describe Major Events Write a paragraph that describes the Fertile Crescent and why the region was called the Fertile Crescent. In your paragraph, be sure to describe its location and what made it an ideal place for the rise of civilizations.
2. Analyze the Influences of Human and Physical Geographic Factors Write a paragraph analyzing how human and physical geographic factors led to the Fertile Crescent eventually being nicknamed the “cradle of civilization.” Include information on the geography, how people overcame natural barriers, and the reason for the region's nickname.
3. Identify Origin and Diffusion Write a paragraph identifying the origin and diffusion of technology in Sumer. Include information on particular inventions, the passing of technological skills to other cultures, and the legacy of Sumer.
4. Identify the Impact of Political and Legal Ideas Identify the impact of Hammurabi's Code. Write a paragraph identifying Hammurabi's effort to make sure that his laws were available for all to see, and tell why he wanted them to be seen. Using your knowledge of the period, explain how even if the laws were available for all to see, some would never really “see” them. Use correct social studies terminology and standard grammar. In your paragraph include a discussion of Hammurabi's Code and how the laws were published.
5. Identify and Describe Major Events Identify and describe how Darius I was vital to the development of the classical civilization of Persia. Include the time of his rule, his establishment of a bureaucracy, and his division of the empire.
6. Explain How Major Civilizations Influenced Developments Write a paragraph describing the political and religious development of Persia, including specific accomplishments of Darius I. Include information about Zoroastrianism and some of its central ideas.
7. Describe Major Philosophical and Political Influences Describe the major philosophical, political, and religious influences of Israel. Create an outline describing these influences by using three main headings and several supporting points under each heading.
8. Describe the Development of Major Religions Write a paragraph describing how the belief system of the ancient Israelites was unique to its time. Include information on the religion they practiced, where they lived, their beliefs, and about when their religion was developed.

9. Identify the Characteristics of Monarchies and Theocracies Using the passage below and the lessons from this topic, write a paragraph identifying the characteristics of monarchies in early civilizations.

   “Each Sumerian city-state had a distinct social hierarchy, or system of ranking groups.”

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