EgyptEssential Guided Reading Questions For Chapter 5Lesson 1

How does geography influence the way people live?

How were the Egyptians protected by their physical environment?

How did the ancient Egyptians depend on the Nile River to grow their crops?

What kind of writing system did the Egyptians develop?

How did Egypt become united?

Lesson 1 page 100-107 How does geography influence the way

people live? Determine the types of crops grown Fertile soil gave good crops – flourishing

civilization. Seasonal flooding determined when to plant

– silt – fertile soil Safe from enemies so you could live in peace Surplus – specialization Sandstone houses gave good shelter – sturdy

and safe

How were the Egyptians protected by their physical environment? Red Land is too hot for enemies to travel

through Marshlands at delta prevented ships from

attacking Cataracts (rapids and waterfalls) made it

difficult for enemies to reach them Irrigation ditches used for hide outs Nile Valley created over time and gave

protection During drought, only small ships could sail.

Going by foot was almost impossible.

How did the ancient Egyptians depend on the Nile River to grow their crops? Water for crops – irrigation using canals Used a shadoof – system of buckets to

bring water to crops Seasonal flooding provided silt and

fertile soil like Mesopotamia – could predict when to plan crops

Water provided for growth of reeds - papyrus which led to paper making

What kind of writing system did the Egyptians develop? Pictures and symbols for sounds made for a

system of writing called hieroglyphics More complicated than cuneiform 1000+ letters and pictures Invented a type of paper called papyrus Only a few scribes could read or write Only men could be scribes Also wrote on stone walls and monuments

How did Egypt become united? Since they lived in peace and isolation

they depended on each other for all things Small tribes united to form kingdoms Marriage created unification Over time, family members ruled and

passed on the tradition and job of being a ruler

There were 3 time periods or kingdoms Trading gave them other ideas about

governing