By reviewing Kerala Syllabus SCERT Class 6 Social Science Solutions Chapter 1 Early Humans and Civilizations Important Questions, students can improve their conceptual understanding.
Early Humans and Civilizations Extra Questions and Answers Class 6 Social Science Chapter 1 Kerala Syllabus
Early Humans and Civilizations Class 6 Important Questions
Question 1.
Human fossils are important sources that help us to learn about the history of early humans.
a) Who proposed a scientific view of the origin of humans?
b) Define Evolution.
c) What are the subgroups of Homo?
Answer:
a) Charles Darwin
b) Charles Darwin suggested that humans have originated through organic changes that took place over a long period of time. He called this process ‘evolution’.
c)
- Homo habilis
- Homo erectus
- Homo sapiens
Question 2.
Complete the table, including the various stages of human evolution and their characteristics.
| Human species | Features |
| Primates | A category of mammals |
| Hominoids | …………a)………….. |
| …………b)………….. | Walked on two legs |
| Homo habilis | …………c)………….. |
| …………d)………….. | The Upright humans |
| Homo sapiens | …………e)………….. |
Answer:
a) Walked on four legs
b) Hominids
c) The tool makers
d) Homo erectus
e) The wise or thinking man
Question 3.
Based on the development achieved over time in weapons and tools made of stones, the Stone Age can be divided into three stages.
a) Which are the three stages of the Stone Age?
b) Define the Stone Age.
c) In which Stone Age did agriculture begin?
Answer:
a)
- Palaeolithic Age
- Mesolithic Age
- Neolithic Age
b) Early humans lived in the forests. They lived by gathering fruits and vegetables and hunting animals to eat their meat. They used rough stones from their surroundings as weapons. Since stones were used as weapons, this period is called the Stone Age.
c) Neolithic Age
Question 4.
Observe the given pictures.
a) Identify the stage of the Stone Age given in the above picture.
b) Write any two features of each stage.
Answer:
a) A – Palaeolithic Age
B – Neolithic Age
| Palaeolithic Age | Neolithic Age |
| Used rough stones as tools | Used more refined and polished stone tools |
| Gathering and hunting as a means of livelihood | Invented wheel and started making pottery |
Question 5.
Which was the first metal used by humans?
Answer:
Copper
Question 6.
Differentiate the Metal Age and Bronze Age.
Answer:
The period when humans used weapons and tools made of metals is called the Metal Age. The period when weapons and tools made of bronze were used is known as the Bronze Age.
Question 7.
What changes did the use of bronze bring to human life?
Answer:
- Bronze tools helped in expanding agricultural land.
- The expansion of agricultural land led to an increase in agricultural production.
- The increase in agricultural production paved the way for the exchange of products and the development of centres of exchange.
- The centres of exchange later transformed into towns and cities.
Question 8.
What all changes might settled life have brought about in humans?
Answer:
- Dwellings began to be built.
- People began to interact more with each other, and marked the beginning of organised social life.
- Settlements gradually developed into villages and urban centres.
Question 9.
Match the following.
| A | B |
| Bhimbetka | Used smaller fine stone tools |
| Mesolithic Age | Rock shelter |
| The Theory of Human Evolution | Human species |
| Chinese Civilization | On the Origin of Species |
| Homo sapiens | Bronze Age Civilizations |
Answer:
| A | B |
| Bhimbetka | Rock shelter |
| Mesolithic Age | Used smaller fine stone tools |
| The Theory of Human Evolution | On the Origin of Species |
| Chinese Civilization | Bronze Age Civilizations |
| Homo sapiens | Human species |
Question 10.
Why did Bronze Age civilizations form in river valleys?
Answer:
- Fertile Soil
- Availability of water
- Favourable climate
Question 11.
Between which rivers is Mesopotamia located?
Answer:
The Euphrates and the Tigris rivers.
Question 12.
Which cultures combined to form the Mesopotamian civilization?
Answer:
Mesopotamian civilization consisted of four different civilizations, which were Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian, and Chaldean.
Question 13.
Who were the first people who contributed to the development of urban life in Mesopotamia?
Answer:
Sumerians
Question 14.
The Writing system of the Mesopotamians was known as Cuneiform.
a) Write a note on cuneiform script.
b) Which are the major cities of the Mesopotamian civilization?
Answer:
a)
- Cuneiform script was developed.by the Sumerians
- It was a wedge shaped pictographic script
- It was written on clay tablets
- They used a pointed reed stylus to write on clay tablets
b) Ur, Uruk, Lagash
Question 15.
Tabulate the contributions of the Mesopotamians.
Answer:
| Science and Mathematics | Law |
| Lunar calendar | Laws were codified for the first time during the reign of Sumerian ruler Dungi. |
| Calculated the solar and lunar eclipses | The code of Hammurabi is the revised form of these laws. |
Question 16.
Egyptian civilization flourished in the Nile Valley.
a) The main city of the Egyptian civilization was ……………………
b) What were the kings of Egypt known as?
c) The main feature of the Egyptian civilization is the ………………….
d) Why is Egypt called the ‘Gift of the Nile’?
Answer:
a) Cairo
b) Pharaohs
c) Pyramids
d) Agriculture was the main livelihood of the people. Wheat, barley, millet, fifuits, flax, cotton, and so on grew abundantly in the Nile river basin. This agricultural prosperity facilitated the development of a civilization in the Nile Valley. Hence, Egypt is called the ‘Gift of the Nile’.
Question 17.
Observe the given picture.
a) Identify this Script that existed in Egypt.
b) Write four features of this script.
Answer:
a) Hieroglyphics Script
b)
- Hieroglyphics was the script of the ancient Egyptians.
- The word Hieroglyphics means ’sacred writing.
- This script was a combination of signs and letters.
- It is read from right to left.
Question 18.
Prepare a note on the achievements in the science of Egyptian culture.
Answer:
Mathematics and Medical Science achieved significant advancement in Egypt.The Egyptians laid the foundation of geometry in Mathematics. Addition and subtraction were their contributions. Their solar calendar consisted of twelve months of thirty days each, and an added five days to complete a year of 365 days.
Question 19.
Match the following.
| A | B |
| Ziggurats | An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth |
| Code of Hammurabi | Places of worship |
| Pyramids | The land between rivers |
| Mummies | Tombs of the Pharaohs |
| Mesopotamia | Dead body |
Answer:
| A | B |
| Ziggurats | Places of worship |
| Code of Hammurabi | An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth |
| Pyramids | Tombs of the Pharaohs |
| Mummies | Dead body |
| Mesopotamia | The land between rivers |
Question 20.
On which riverbank did Chinese Civilization originate, and write two important features of the Chinese civilization.
Answer:
Along the banks of river Hwang-Ho.
- Agriculture was the foundation of this civilization as well.
- They were also experts in weaving, pottery, and silk production.
- They made excellent bronze sculptures.
Question 21.
Identify the given script and write its features.
Answer:
Chinese Script.
- The Chinese had a writing system since ancient times.
- The pictographic script, that used pictures instead of letters, was common.
- Gradually, they developed symbols to use in place of pictures. That script still exists in China with modifications.
Question 22.
Which civilization existed in the Indus Valley during the Bronze Age?
Answer:
Harappan Civilization
Question 23.
Prepare a note on the Harappan Civilization.
Answer:
It was a civilization that existed in the Indus Valley during the Bronze Age. It is generally considered to have existed from about 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE. Harappa was the first city to be discovered. That is why this civilization is called the Harappan Civilization. Since it emerged in the Indus Valley, it is also known as the Indus Valley Civilization.
Question 24.
Which civilization is called the first urbanization in India? Why?
Answer:
Harappan Civilization. Because this civilization developed around urban centres. Therefore, this civilization is termed as the first urbanization in India.
Question 25.
The main feature of the Harappan civilization was town planning. Elucidate the statement,
Answer:
The main feature of the Harappan civilization was town planning. They built houses on both sides of the streets. They used burnt bricks for the purpose of construction. The drainage system was another important feature of the Harappan civilization. The cities and drains were planned in such a way that the waste water from the houses was drained out of the city through the drains in the streets.
Question 26.
What were the special features of the Great Bath of Mohenjodaro?
Answer:
Mohenjodaro was the major city of the Harappan civilization. The Great Bath is the most distinctive structure of this city. There were flights of steps on both sides to enter this tank and it had bathrooms. There was also arrangement for filling fresh water and draining out waste water.
Question 27.
Explain the following features of the Harappan Civilization.
• Granary
• Handicrafts
• Art of Writing
Answer:
Granary: Agriculture was the main livelihood of the Harappan people. Evidences of rice cultivation have been found from sites like Rangpur and Lothal in Gujarat. The granary is the most significant historical remain found in Harappa. It was used to store and preserve grains.
Handicrafts: The Harappans were skilled in handicrafts. Necklaces, bracelets and earrings made of gold, silver, beads and shells were widely used. They made seals from clay and stones. The toys, clay pots and bronze statues found in Harappan cities all show the artistic skills of the Harappan people.
Art of Writing: Harappan people had their own writing system. They used symbols instead of letters to write. Their art of writing is mostly found on seals.
Question 28.
Harappan cities faced decline around 1900 BCE. There are different opinions about the decline of Harappan civilization. Write some of them.
Answer:
- Climate change
- Frequent floods
- Deforestation
- Excessive use of land