Name ______Answer Key_______
8th Grade Social Studies Mid-term Review Sheet
Midterm on February 26th, 2015
The Midterm will cover information regarding the following units: Early Hominids, Ancient
Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, and Ancient Greece. Study the following terms, people, and places in
this study guide using any and all information available to you.
Look over these items:
 Past study guides
 Past quizzes and tests
 Cornell Notes from each unit
 Pictures and bold face type in your textbook (Ch. 1 – 12; 25-30)
 Handouts and readings
 Maps/timelines
*You will be allowed to bring with you one 4” x 6” index card to use during the test with
information, picture, diagrams and charts to aid your success. The card must have student produced
work meaning nothing should be typed, printed off of a computer, etc.*
Study well and good luck to all!
Ms. McCarthy, Mr. Nixon,
Mr. Crossman, and Mrs. Debessay
Section I: Vocabulary
*Use the terms below to fill-in the following spaces.
Africa
Archeologist
Bipedal
City-state
Civilization
Cuneiform
Democracy
Embalming
Exodus
Hammurabi
Hominid
Ingenuity
Justice
Kingdom of Kush
Mesopotamia Migrate
Monarchy
Oligarchy
Olympics
Mummification
Persian
Pre-history
Pyramid
Torah
Tyranny
Dear Dr. Salladino,
I wanted to give you my semi-annual report regarding what the students have learned up to
date. Our social studies curriculum covers such a broad time frame! All eighth graders started
learning about events that occurred during the time period before written records known as
pre-history. Many of our early lessons consisted of examining fossils and information found
by archeologist (s). One of the most famous women in this field was Mary Leaky who
found footprints that dated back millions of years. Mary and her husband also found tools and bones
of some of the earliest humans called hominid(s). Many more discoveries were found on
the continent of Africa , this led scientists to believe that this was the place humans first
started to walk or become bipedal. Based on DNA studies, everyone who lives today has common
ancestor, nicknamed “Eve”.
After possessing the knowledge essential for survival, an early species of humans known as
Homo Erectus started to _migrate_, or move to other places on earth. Eventually humans
would settle down on all continents except Antarctica. My students started to look at reasons why
people were able to “settle” in one area.
One of the first places we looked at was _Mesopotamia_, the Greeks called it so because
it was land between two rivers. Sumer was an area within the southern part of Mesopotamia. In one
lesson, the students examined pictures of artifacts, and had to gather supporting evidence proving
that the Sumerians lived in a __civilization___. This is when a group of people established a
written language, social structure, specialized jobs, a system of government, arts, and religion. We
even saw that people over 4,000 years ago tried to control the annual flooding of the rivers through
community building projects.
Within Sumer there were separate __city_-__states__(s) that were like small
countries. We studied __cuneiform___, the first form of writing, and its influences on the culture.
The ancients wrote on clay tablets that are still intact and on display at the University of Penn
museum. Another group of people we researched were the Babylonians. One of the most influential
Babylonian leaders was named __Hammurabi__. He is known for creating a uniform code of laws.
When we studied Ancient Egypt we looked at pictures of the great __pyramid__ of
Giza. This is the last structure standing of the original “Seven Wonders.” mum./embalm. was the
process of preparing a body for the afterlife. During this time period, the followers of Judaism lived
in Ancient Egypt. The main text for this religion is the __Torah__. After a few hundred
years, the Israelite people left Egypt that is known as the ___Exodus___. Another neighboring
people group was the ___Kingdom___ _of_ __Kush__. This group was to the south and was
known for wealth from trade.
Reading Greek myths and legends have given us insight to the culture. Some common
themes found in these stories are __ingenuity___ and ___justice___. We also explored the
advantages and disadvantages of four types of government in ancient Greece __monarchy__,
__oligarchy__, __tyranny__, and __democracy__. The land of Greece was invaded by the
__Persian__ Empire that resulted in the city of Athens being burned. We have learned many
things from the Greek people that are still present in our world today such as the
___Olympic____ games. Now we will be looking to Rome for future studies.
Sincerely,
8th Grade Social Studies Teachers
Section II: Early Humans (Chapters 1, 2, and 3)
*Complete the practice questions and provide examples from lessons discussed in class.*
1. What occupations study the time of pre-history? What are their responsibilities?
Paleoanthropologist – studies pre human hominid remains;______________________________
Biologist – studies remnants of plans and food particles; _______________________________
Chemist – studies remains of materials people in the past used and dating__________________
Geologist – studies stone and the movement of stone;
Archeologist – man made objects (artifacts)
2. The artifacts you see are pieces of a crown once worn by a Mycenaean King. Who would be
able to tell you how old it is and what the raised circles may mean? (Circle your answers)
Linguist
Botanist
anthropologist
chemist
Dating the artifact
geologist archeologist
Paleoanthropologist
Human culture
4. According to our textbook there are several early hominids that are ancestors to human beings.
List these hominid in the (Homo genus) and one of their capabilities:

Homo habilis was nicknamed “Handy Man” was the first hominid to use.

Homo erectus was nicknamed “Upright Man” and was the first to use fire.

Homo sapiens neanderthal the first “wise” man & had a sense of community (buried dead).

Homo sapiens sapiens or “doubly wise man” created artwork and are still around today (us).
5. Based on hominid fossils, how long have homo sapiens sapiens walked the Earth?
(choose the closest answer)
a. 50,000 years ago
b. 1 million years ago
c. 5 million years ago
d. 10 million years ago
6. List 3 differences between Neanderthals and Modern Humans
Neanderthals


Modern Humans
 taller and more slender
o
 weaker but more intelligent

 forehead and bones not
as pronounced
7. The creature Lucy (Australopithecus Afarensis) was different from other species. What 2
capabilities set Lucy apart? She was bipedal (walked on two legs) and used her hands to carry
her young. The brain was 1/3 the size of modern humans.
8. Otzi the Iceman is a very recent study giving us a view into the past. What is the prevailing
theory of Otzi’s death and what evidence do archeologists to support this theory?
Otzi was killed by younger men of his clan. The CT scan showed an arrowhead in his chest and
the bronze axe was not taken.
9. The Neolithic Revolution involved the following: (check all that apply)
_____ Migration to mountainous regions
_____ Global Warming
_____ Unstable food supply
_____ Population growth near river valleys
__X__ Specialized jobs
_____ Cave paintings
__X__ Planting and harvesting of crops
_____ New technologies
_____ Extinction of the dinosaurs
__X__ Domestication of animals
Section III: Mesopotamia (chapters 4, 5, and 6)
*Complete the practice questions and provide examples from lessons discussed in class.
10. Check the characteristics of civilization (check all that apply)
____ Transportation
__X__ Social Structure
__X_ Government
__X__ Technology
__X_ Writing
__X__ Culture
_____ Pet care
__X__ Stable Food Supply
__X_Philosophy/Religion
_____ Cooking
11. Where the ancient Sumerians civilized? Yes or No
What evidence can you give that supports your answer?
Sumerians developed a form of writing (cuneiform); a surplus of food (fertile land); advanced
government (king and laws)
12. What makes the land of “The Fertile Crescent” different from the surrounding area?
It has arable land (land that can grow crops)_
13. What does Mesopotamia mean?
__“the land between the rivers”____
14. What 2 rivers form Mesopotamia?
__Tigris River__ and ___Euphrates River____
15. What modern day country is in this area today?
________________Iraq______________________
16. Which picture below shows a Sumerian city-state? Write a one sentence explanation
The picture on the right shows a walled Sumerian city with the surrounding farmland.
17. Summarize the Epic of Gilgamesh in about 4 sentences:
Gilgamesh was a legendary king of a Sumerian city-state. He met his best friend Enkidu, a strong
wild man who was civilized by the priestess Harim. Enkidu is cursed by the gods and dies.
Gilgamesh goes on a journey to gain eternal life but fails and learns that people are remembered by
their actions. He returns a better leader to save his city-state.
18. List the four empires to rule Mesopotamia in Ancient Times. Identify one key concept from
each and draw the images in the boxes below.
Akkadian
Babylonian –
Assyrians
Neo-Babylonians
First empire: multiple
Unified Laws: Code
Strong military;
Intellectuals; invented
cities/people groups
of Hammurabi
treated people cruelly
the sundial
Section IV: Ancient Egypt (chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12)
19. The Greek historian Herodotus visited Egypt and stated, “Egypt is the gift of the Nile.” What
did he mean and do you agree with him? The Nile provided the water and silt (soil) from flooding.
It was used for transportation. Without the Nile River the civilization would not exist. (I do or do
not agree).
20. Which type of writing did the Egyptians use on temples and tombs?
a) Cuneiform
b) Greek Alphabet
c) Hieroglyphics
d) Sanskrit
21. List three ways the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms are simliar:

The government was a monarchy, ruled by the Pharaohs who were mummfied

The Egyptians believed in many gods, polytheism, include Osiris, Re, and Horus

Hieroglyphics were used to tell stories and histories of Egypt
22. List three ways the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms were different:

Old Kingdom – The pharaoh had the most power and built large tombs, pyramids

Middle Kingdom – The arts and architecture were promoted by a guiding pharaoh

New Kingdom – All classes could be mummified and Egypt became an empire
23. True or False: The purpose of mummification was to ready the pharaohs’ bodies for a
cremation ceremony which took place on a boat in the Nile.
24. Matching
Objective: Identify the leader and their event/contribution to Ancient history.
Figure
Event/Contribution
R- Ramses II
Built the Great Pyramid
K- Khufu
Considered to be the Father of the Hebrews
H- Hatshepsut
Peace Treaty with the Hittites
M- Moses
Trade Ships sent to southern Africa
A- Abraham
Lead the Hebrew people out of Egypt
Directions: Use the timeline above to answer the following questions.
23. What year did King Menes (Narmer) unify Egypt? _____3100 B.C.E._______________.
24. How many years does this timeline show in all? ________4500____________.
25. Who ruled first, King Tutankhamon or King Ramses II? _________Tutankhamon_________.
26. Which time period above shows the most pharaohs? ___New Kingdom__.
27. What major kingdom bordered Egypt to the south? Describe the different periods of
interactions. The Kingdom of Kush border Egypt to the south and was known for its wealth from
trade with Egypt and the Central African Kingdoms. During the New Kingdom period, Egypt
conquered Kush and egyptianized the culture. Then, in 754 B.C.E. the Kingdom of Kush invaded
Egypt and rebuilt temples. Next, the Kingdom of Kush moved its capital south and returned to its
African roots. Finally, in the year 24 B.C.E. they signed a peace treaty with Rome.
28.
Definition
Example Religions
Polytheism
The belief in many gods
Ancient Egyptian, Greek
Monotheism
The belief in one god
Judaism, Christianity, Islam
29. What is the name of the primary text of Judaism? What two major religious leaders are
described in this text? The primary text of Judaism is the Torah. In this text, Abraham makes a
covenant with God and was the Father of the Hebrews. Moses led the Jewish people out from
slavery in Egypt to the “promised land” (modern day Isreal)
Section V: Ancient Greece (chapters 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30)
*Complete the practice questions and provide examples from lessons discussed in class.
30. True or False: The geography of Greece is made up of islands, mountains, and peninsulas.
31. Each of the following statements refers to one of two early Greek civilizations. Identify the
civilization by writing (Min for Minoans or My for Mycenaeans).
_Min_ First civilization in the area
_Min_ Myth of the Minotaur
_My_ War-like culture
_My_ Palaces on hilltops
_My_ Located on the Greek mainland
_Min_ Located on the island of Crete
32. Identify the Greek governments in order of their appearance.
1. Monarchy – single ruler passed down the family line
2. Oligarchy – ruled by a small group
3. Tyranny – ruled by one who takes power
4. Democracy – power in the hands of the people
33. What are the elements of a myth and why did the Greeks tell these stories? Myths focus on
supernatural beings and explain nature.
34. What two cultures were involved in the Persian Wars and what were the results? The Greeks
city-states fought the Persians. Working together, the Greek city-states won the war and showed to
the world they would not be easily defeated.
35. Name two differences between life in the city-states of Sparta and Athens.

Athens – women worked in the home; Sparta – women were athletic and could own land

Athens – men could be part of the assembly; Sparta – men lived in a barracks until 30
36. What ruler spread the Greek culture into the Middle East and left behind a great empire?
a. Socrates
b. King Xerxes
c. Miltiades
d. Alexander the Great
Section 6: Map
* Locate the following on the map below
Athens
Sparta
Asia Minor


Babylon
Mediterranean Crete
Sea
Sahara
Desert


Egypt
Ur
N
i
l
e
Asia Minor
Egypt
Mediterranean Sea
Red Sea
Athens
Euphrates River
Mesopotamia
Sparta
Babylon
Giza
Nile River
Tigris River

Giza
Crete
Sahara Desert
Persian Gulf
Ur
1
5
10
15
20
25
A SUMERIAN SCHOOL-PRIMARY SOURCE
MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. Read the sentences from the passage:
“That evening I complained to my father about my bad marks. And so he invited the father
of the tablet house to our house, placed him in the seat of honor and gave him dinner.”
This sentence indicates that:
A. The student loved the teacher because he had learned so much and wanted to do
something special for the teacher to thank him.
B. The father hated and feared his son and supported the teacher’s poor treatment of his
son.
C. The student’s family owned a restaurant.
D. The teacher needed to be bribed in order for the student to be treated well in
school.
2. Which sentence best supports the idea that after the dinner at his father’s house the Sumerian
pupil would be treated more respectfully and that the teacher would support his eventual rise
to a powerful position:
A. “The son of the tablet house will ascend the highest pinnacles of the art of
writing. The day will come when he will be first among his brothers.
B. “My father heard me recite and was pleased with what I had learned in
The tablet house.”
C. “When I was caught talking in class, I was caned.”
D. “He presented him with a jar of oil, a robe, some money and he placed a
ring on his finger as well”.
3. What does the term pinnacles mean as it is used in line 25 in the story?
A. A part of Sumerian architecture similar to a spiral on ziggurats that
reaches to the sky.
B. The student will have a special comfortable chair to sit on when writing
in class.
C. The son will be able to write well and be the best writer among his
classmates.
D. The son will take part in a special class trip involving mountain
climbing and will write about it.
4. Which sentence summarizes the passage objectively?
A. Students were lazy in Ancient Sumer and needed caning and constant
reminders from the teacher to complete their work well.
B. Sumerian students learned to write in school, experienced caning in
the tablet houses and their families’ bribed the teachers to insure good
treatment of their sons.
C. Sumerian teachers communicated extremely well with the families of
their students, even visiting the students in their homes and this relationship resulted
in the best education and treatment of the student.
D. The teachers of Sumer’s tablet house were cruel and greedy and only
treated students well when they were bribed.
5. This question has two parts. Answer Part One and then Answer part Two.
Part One
Which generalization about the Sumerian pupil’s father is most supported by the events in
this passage?
A. He supports his son and wants him to be treated well in school.
B. He doesn’t care if the students learns to write well and bribes the teacher to give him
good grades no matter what.
C. He condemns the physical punishment of students and wants the teacher to be
punished.
D. He enjoys entertaining and likes having the father of the tablet house over for dinner.
Part Two
Which sentences best support the answer to Part One? Choose two answers.
A. “That evening I complained to my father about my bad marks. And so he
invited the father of the tablet house to our house, placed him in the seat of honor
and gave him dinner.”
B. “He presented him with a jar of oil, a robe, some money and he placed
a ring on his finger as well”.
C. “My father heard me recite and was pleased with what I had learned
in the Tablet House”.
D. “But when I later left the tablet house without permission, the big
brother with the stick caned me several times.”
6. What is meant by the term “father of the tablet house”?
The father of the tablet house is the head teacher at the Sumerian School, similar to a modern
day principal.
7. How would you compare your school with a Sumerian school? In what ways are they alike
and in what ways are they different?
The Sumerian school is similar to a modern day school in that students learn writing and math.
Students go to school and are instructed by teachers.
The differences are the types of punishments. In Sumer, the teachers used physical
punishments (beaten with a cane). In modern day school, the teachers use punishments like
detention. The teacher was also bribed in the Sumerian school and was pleased. This would not
be looked on favorably in today’s society.