AP World Civilizations SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT: The Book of Genesis
The Book of Genesis describes not only the beginnings of a chosen nation, Israel; but also the beginnings of all things.
The text reveals the stories of creation, the fall of man, the flood, the Tower of Babel, covenants with God’s people,
and the lives of the Biblical Patriarchs (fathers of a great race/nation). In a standard 5-paragraph essay, address the
major events of the text with the following guidelines:
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Paragraph 1: In 10-12 sentences briefly introduce the text, giving the author and an approximate date it
was written. The rest of the paragraph should be devoted to summarizing the story of creation and the
fall of man. Be sure to include what curses men/women/serpent must endure.
Paragraph 2: In 8-10 sentences give a retelling of the story of the great flood and the Tower of
Babel. Be sure to include the purpose of the flood and the main characters involved. Also when
describing the Tower of Babel be sure to describe WHY it was wrong to build the tower.
Paragraph 3: In 8-10 sentences describe the life of the patriarchs, Abraham and Isaac. Be sure to include
details about their lives (wives/children/famous events etc.) and discuss the covenant made with
Abraham, and the “almost” sacrifice of his son.
Paragraph 4: In 8-10 sentences give a brief summary of the lives of Jacob and Joseph. Make sure you
include the story of Jacob and his wives contests to have children, the jealousy between the brothers
and Joseph, and how Joseph obtains second in command in Egypt.
Paragraph 5: In 8-10 sentences give a conclusion paragraph that describes which story is your favorite
and why. How did this particular story make an impact on you? What about this story is so memorable
and how can you apply it to the modern world/your daily life?
Other Requirements:
 Have the proper MLA format for your paper:
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Typed/ Double Spaced
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Centered Title
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Proper Heading: (Your Name, My Name, AP World, Date) on the top left-hand corner
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12 point/sized font
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Times New Roman, Garamond, or Arial font
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One tab indention for each new paragraph
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Your Last name and the page number in the top right hand corner (done in the header)
 Stay away from: 
Contractions
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Informal Diction (slang words/abbreviations/texting shorthand like: lol or bc)
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1st or 2nd person (do not use I, we, us, you, or me until the final paragraph that discusses your
personal response to Genesis) otherwise all pronouns should be in 3rd person (he, she, it, they,
the reader, one)
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Fragments/Run-ons (make sure you have a clear subject, verb and an object for each
sentence)
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Telling minute/insignificant details (Genesis is very long and full of rich history and cultural
facts. You could write papers on just one chapter; but there are 50 chapters, so stick to the
main points I gave to discuss in each paragraph)
AP World Civilizations SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT: The Epic of Gilgamesh
The Epic of Gilgamesh is a very primitive myth written by an anonymous author sometime between 2,700 and 600
BCE. This epic recounts the epic journey of its main character, Gilgamesh, who seeks the answer to eternal life.
This story is based on oral tradition, meaning this story was told and retold for many, many years before it was
actually written down on clay tablets.
Because it is such an antiquated story of oral tradition from a different culture, there are a few things that may strike
you as unusual as you read. Be prepared for:
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Primitive/Old language: this was written thousands of years ago, and it only exists in a
fragmented form. Translators have done their best to fill in the gaps, but there are still a few places
that may seem hard to understand
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Repetition: Most stories rooted in oral tradition have repetition for the poet who would have been
retelling the story mostly by memorization. It helps the poet and the audience to remember things
in a long story when things are repeated.
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Unrecognizable Place/People names: This myth comes from a people known as Sumerians or
Mesopotamians. This is a place near the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers now known as modern-day
Iraq. Also, these people did not recognize Yahweh (God) as the Supreme Being. They were a
polytheistic nation much like the Greeks and the Romans of classical mythology. Some names of
gods and goddesses will be unrecognizable. That’s okay! You will learn them. Don’t get discouraged.
*After reading the Epic of Gilgamesh, please type the following questions first, and then answer each question in at
least 2-3 complete sentences. (The same MLA format requirements apply to this document i.e. typed, heading,
12point font, centered title, double spaced etc.) (Keep the questions in bold, but have the answers in regular font)
1. Describe King Gilgamesh at the beginning of the story. Tell 3 things about Gilgamesh’s
character/his actions that his city complained about.
2. Who is Enkidu? Why is he created? How is Enkidu first described to the reader?
3. After Enkidu becomes “civilized” into the world of men, what types of “problems” does he have
with the creatures that used to be his “friends”?
4. What do Enkidu and Gilgamesh do when they first meet? How is the situation resolved?
5. Who is Humbaba? What happens to Humbaba?
6. Who is Ishtar? What does she want from Gilgamesh? Why does his response make her so mad?
7. Why is the Bull of Heaven sent to earth?
AP World Civilizations 8. What happens to Enkidu after the Bull of Heaven dies? How does Gilgamesh respond?
9. Describe Gilgamesh’s reasoning for seeking the secret to everlasting life.
10. Describe at least 3 major obstacles Gilgamesh must overcome before he gets to Uta-napishti.
11. How was Uta-napishti able to survive the flood?
12. What is the test Gilgamesh must pass in the home of Uta-napishti and his wife?
13. How is Gilgamesh supposed to obtain everlasting life?
14. Describe how Gilgamesh loses the special plant.
15. Describe how the reader sees a different Gilgamesh at the end of the text compared to how he is
described in the beginning. In other words, what types of changes did he go through?
*Both assignments for the Book of Genesis and the Epic of Gilgamesh are due: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14th. Both
must be typed and be YOUR ORIGINAL WORK. I cannot stress this enough. I want to know what YOU
think.
*Refrain from Plagiarism, as there are severe consequences (Zero for the assignments and disciplinary action)
Plagiarism involves, but is not limited to:
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Copying and/or pasting information from the internet or someone else’s paper/work and then proposing it
is your own.
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Rewording online secondary sources like SparkNotes or someone else’s summary
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Purchasing or copying a summary/answers from the internet
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Basically…anytime you are using someone else’s ideas/thoughts/wording and presenting it as your original
ideas/thoughts/wording
Good luck on your work! Please contact me via email if you have questions about the assignment. I only
sporadically view my email throughout the summer; but as the school year gets closer (about 2 weeks before school)
I begin viewing it more often. I have given a detailed enough description for each student to complete the
assignment without discussion, however I understand if you have questions. You can contact me at:
bneyhart@caschools.us Enjoy your summer!
Mr. Neyhart