3 As Class Ancient Civilizations

3 As Class
Ancient Civilizations
A series of emperors ruled China from 1600 B.C. to A.D, 220. These emperors belonged to
four families or dynasties of rulers, the Shang Dynasty, the Zhou Dynasty, the Qin Dynasty, and
the Han Dynasty. Under the emperors, Chinese society was divided into classes of people.
Landlords held and administered land, making sure that the people who lived on their land
worked to produce food and goods. These workers owed part of what they produced to the
landlords, and the landlords owed taxes to the emperor.
As time went on the emperors conquered more land and the size of the Chinese empire
increased. Each dynasty brought different characteristics or contributions to Chinese culture.
During the Shang Dynasty a system of writing was developed and bronze was first used to make
weapons and containers. The Zhou Dynasty brought improved ways of farming and the division
of people into upper and lower classes. A road system was created during the Qin Dynasty, and
the construction of the Great Wall of China was completed as a defense against foreign invaders.
The government combined the teachings of the philosopher, Confucius, with a less strict
form of legalism. The emperors believed that a strong society was important, but that an
emphasis on personal virtues and strong family structure, including honoring of ancestors,
would it be orderly and strong.
1) The text is: a. Narrative b. Descriptive c. Expository
2) Say whether the following sentences are true or false according to the text.
a. There were two main dynasties in the Chinese civilization.
b. The Chinese society was divided into landlords and workers.
c. A road system was created during the Zhou dynasty.
d. There was too much strictness in form of legalism in ancient China.
3) Answer the following questions according to the text?

a. What were the dynasties which ruled ancient china?
b. What were the changes that Shang dynasty brought to Chinese culture?
c. Why did ancient China construct the Great Wall?
d. Why did the government in Ancient China emphasize on personal virtues and strong family
structure?
4) In which paragraph of the text is the philosophy of ancient China mentioned?
5) What do the following words refer to in the text?

- These (§1)……………………. – their (§1)………- it (§3)………………….
6) Choose the best title to the text:

a. Ancient world b. The rise of China c. The Chinese dynasties
B) Text exploration:
1) a. Find in the text words closest in meaning to:
- Governed (§1 ) =………………………… - dominated (§2) =………………………
b. Find in the text words opposites in meaning to:

- Division (§2) ≠ …………………………… - Native (§2) ≠ ……………………
2) Filling the table with the missing word category.

verb Noun adjective
……………….…… ……………………… developed
To differ …………………… ……………………
……………………. Belief ………………..…..
3) Select the appropriate connector to join the pairs of sentences.

Make any necessary changes.
Although – consequently – as soon as - because
a) The Chinese were a wise nation. The Chinese were the first nation to combine intelligence
with discipline.
b) Ancient Egypt developed a form of writing. Few people could read and write.
4) Rewrite sentence (a) so that it means the same as sentence (b):

a) The Sumerians were obliged to build huge banks on both sides of the Tigris River.
b) The Sumerians
…………………………………………………………………………………
a) The Romans believed in many gods, they don’t do it anymore nowadays.
b) The Romans
……………………………………………………………………………………
5) Ask questions on the underlined words.

a) The Chinese were very strong.
b) The Ancient Greeks wrote famous stories.
6) Classify the words according to the pronunciation of their final / ed /:

ruled – created – developed– believed – produced – divided
/t/ /d/ / ed /
Part Two: Written Expression
(5pts)
Write a composition of about 100 words on one of the following topics.
Topic 1:
A lot of civilizations flourished, emerged and prospered but unfortunately collapsed.
Write a paragraph stating the reasons of their decline. Use the following ideas:
- The rulers’ (kings) selfishness.
- Loss of moral values.
- Natural catastrophes: drought, earthquakes, floods.
- Wars, diseases, famine.
(example: Islamic civilization in Spain.
Egyptian civilization…)
Topic 2:
Why did most of the ancient civilizations develop along rivers? Give examples of these
civilizations.

3 As Class Ancient Civilizations

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3 As Class Ancient Civilizations

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3 As Class

1) The text is: a. Narrative b. Descriptive c. Expository

3) Answer the following questions according to the text?

4) In which paragraph of the text is the philosophy of ancient China mentioned?

5) What do the following words refer to in the text?

6) Choose the best title to the text:

b. Find in the text words opposites in meaning to:

2) Filling the table with the missing word category.

3) Select the appropriate connector to join the pairs of sentences.

4) Rewrite sentence (a) so that it means the same as sentence (b):

5) Ask questions on the underlined words.

6) Classify the words according to the pronunciation of their final / ed /:

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