Chapter 4 Section 1 and 2

Question 1

rapids along a river, such as those along the Nile in Egypt

Answer 1

cataracts

Question 2

a triangle shaped area of land made from soil deposited by a river

Answer 2

delta

Question 3

legendary Egyptian ruler, he unified the kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt and built the new capital city in Memphis. Also founded Egypt’s first dynasty

Answer 3

Menes

Question 4

the title used by the rulers of Egypt. Means “great house”

Answer 4

pharaoh

Question 5

a series of rulers from the same family

Answer 5

dynasty

Question 6

the period from about 2700 to 2200 BC in Egyptian history that began shortly after Egypt was unified

Answer 6

Old Kingdom

Question 7

Egyptian pharaoh, he ruled during Egypt’s Old Kingdom and is known for the many monuments built to honor him

Answer 7

Khufu

Question 8

rich and powerful people

Answer 8

nobles

Question 9

life after death

Answer 9

afterlife

Question 10

specially treated bodies wrapped in cloth for preservation

Answer 10

mummies

Question 11

people of wealth and power

Answer 11

elite

Question 12

huge triangular tombs built by the Egyptians and other peoples

Answer 12

pyramids

Question 13

the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes

Answer 13

engineering

Question 14

Why was Egypt called the gift of the Nile?

Answer 14

The Nile River allowed Egypt to thrive. The river was so important to people in this region that a Greek historian named Herodotus called Egypt the gift of the Nile.

Question 15

What attracted early settlers to the Nile Valley?

Answer 15

The early settlers chose the Nile Valley because they found plenty of food there to eat – plants, wild animals, fish. In time they learned how to farm and settled along the Nile.

Question 16

Where was Lower Egypt located?

Answer 16

north of Upper Egypt

Question 17

Why was the Nile Delta well suited for settlement?

Answer 17

The land was fertile for farming

Question 18

How might the Nile’s cataracts have both helped and hurt Egypt?

Answer 18

The cataracts made sailing very difficult, protecting Egypt from invasion but also preventing easy transportation of goods by the Egyptians.

Question 19

What foods did the Egyptians eat?

Answer 19

Egyptians had a varied diet including fish, beef, wild geese and ducks, wheat, barley, fruits and vegetables.

Question 20

What role did the Nile play in supplying Egyptians with the foods they ate?

Answer 20

The Nile supplied the water for the fields through a series of canals built by the Egyptians.

Question 21

How did the desert on both sides of the Nile help Egypt?

Answer 21

The deserts provided protection against invasion.

Question 22

Who was the first pharaoh of Egypt?

Answer 22

Menes

Question 23

Why did the pharaohs of the First Dynasty wear a double crown?

Answer 23

The double crown symbolized their rule over Upper and Lower Egypt

Question 24

How was society structured in the Old Kingdom?

Answer 24

At the top of society was the pharaoh. Just below him were the upper classes including priests and government officials and other nobles. Next was the middle class, including lesser government officials, scribes, and rich craftspeople. Next came the lower class – more than 80 percent of the population – which was mostly farmers, servants, and slaves.

Question 25

How did religious beliefs affect Egyptian burial practices?

Answer 25

Most of Egyptian religion focused on the afterlife. When a person died, his ka or life force left the body and became a spirit. The ka remained linked to the body and could not leave the burial site. The ka had all the same needs the person had while living – eat, sleep, be entertained. Because of this need, tombs were filled with objects for afterlife, including furniture, clothing, tools, and food.

Question 26

Why were pyramids important to the ancient Egyptians?

Answer 26

The size and shape of pyramids were symbolic. The top pointed to the skies, symbolizing the pharaoh’s journey to the afterlife. The Egyptians wanted the pyramids to be spectacular because they believed that the pharaoh as their link to the gods controlled everyone’s afterlife.

Question 27

To what does the term Old Kingdom refer?

Answer 27

The Third Dynasty which began around 2700 BC

Question 28

Why was the pharaoh’s authority never questioned?

Answer 28

Ancient Egyptians believed that the pharaoh came to earth in order to manage Egypt for the rest of the gods.

Question 29

Why was embalming important to Egyptians?

Answer 29

Embalming preserved the body for the afterlife.