Important Questions and Answers for Class 11 History Chapter 1 Writing and City Life 2025-26

1. Multiple choice questions.

1. Which among the following was the earliest known city in Mesopotamia?

• (a) Uruk
• (b) Babylon
• (c) Nineveh
• (d) Lagash

Answer: (a) Uruk

2. The writing system developed in Mesopotamia is known as:

• (a) Hieroglyphics
• (b) Cuneiform
• (c) Brahmi
• (d) Roman script

Answer: (b) Cuneiform

3. Which river valley is associated with the rise of early Mesopotamian civilization?

• (a) Nile
• (b) Tigris-Euphrates
• (c) Indus
• (d) Yellow

Answer: (b) Tigris-Euphrates

4. Which king is known for the compilation of the earliest code of laws in Mesopotamia?

• (a) Sargon
• (b) Hammurabi
• (c) Nebuchadnezzar
• (d) Gilgamesh

Answer: (b) Hammurabi

5. What primary function did temples serve in Mesopotamian cities, apart from religious purposes?

• (a) Residences for priests
• (b) Administrative centers
• (c) Marketplace
• (d) Burial grounds

Answer: (b) Administrative centers

2. Very Short Answer (VSA).

1. What is cuneiform?

Answer: Cuneiform is an ancient writing system that used wedge-shaped marks made on clay tablets, developed by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia.

2. Name two rivers important to the development of Mesopotamian civilization.

Answer: The Tigris and Euphrates rivers were essential for Mesopotamian civilization’s agriculture and urban growth.

3. Mention one economic activity of early Mesopotamian city dwellers.

Answer: Early Mesopotamian city dwellers engaged in agriculture, by growing crops such as barley and wheat.

4. Who was Gilgamesh?

Answer: Gilgamesh was a legendary Sumerian king of Uruk, who became the hero of one of the oldest known epics.

5. What material did Sumerians use to write?

Answer: Sumerians wrote on clay tablets using a stylus made from reed.

3. Short Answer Questions.

1. Explain the role of scribes in Mesopotamian society.

Answer: Scribes were trained professionals responsible for writing and record keeping in Mesopotamia. They maintained records of transactions, administrative documents, and literature. This crucial role supported the functioning of government, trade, and religious activities, making scribes respected members of society.

2. How did the use of the wheel influence urban life in Mesopotamia?

Answer: The invention of the wheel revolutionized transportation and pottery in Mesopotamia. Wheeled carts made the movement of goods easier, boosting trade and urbanization, while potter’s wheels enabled faster and better pottery production that supported daily activities and economic growth in cities.

3. Why were temples important in the cities of Mesopotamia?

Answer: Temples were central institutions in Mesopotamian cities. Apart from religious worship, they functioned as centers of economic, social, and administrative activities. Temples managed surplus grain, controlled land, and employed laborers, demonstrating their significance in city management and community welfare.

4. What does the term ‘city life’ mean in the context of early Mesopotamia?

Answer: 'City life' in early Mesopotamia refers to urban living patterns marked by specialization of work, social stratification, governance, economic activities, and cultural developments. Cities became hubs for administration, trade, craft production, and religious practices, reflecting a complex and organized society.

4. Long Answer Questions.

1. Describe the process of the development of writing in Mesopotamia and its impact on society.

Answer: The development of writing in Mesopotamia began with simple pictographs representing goods and commodities, which evolved into the cuneiform script. This progression was motivated by the need to keep records of agricultural produce and trade. As the script became more complex, it allowed for the recording of laws, literature, and administrative details. Writing facilitated efficient administrative control, documentation of religious texts, and communication, which contributed to the growth and stability of cities. Over time, it became an essential instrument in the evolution of civilization, impacting law, education, and social organization.

1. Early pictographs were used for counting and trade.
2. Cuneiform script developed for more complex records.
3. Writing enabled preservation of laws and culture.
4. Facilitated efficient administration, supporting urban growth.

2. Analyse the factors that contributed to the growth of cities in Mesopotamia.

Answer: Several factors drove the growth of cities in Mesopotamia. The fertile land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers enabled surplus agriculture. This surplus supported non-farming professions such as artisans and traders. Organized irrigation systems led to higher productivity. Emergence of administrative and religious centers attracted people for work and worship. Trade within and beyond Mesopotamia stimulated the economy. Furthermore, technological advances, such as the wheel and plough, made agriculture and transport more efficient. Protection offered by city walls and governance also promoted stability and population growth.

1. Fertile soil supported food surplus.
2. Specialized workers led to economic diversity.
3. Efficient administration fostered urban planning.
4. Religious and trade centers attracted migrants.

6. Case-based questions.

In ancient Mesopotamia, large temple complexes not only dominated the city skyline but also acted as centers for administration, storage of agricultural produce, and planning of irrigation. Scribes recorded the distribution of grains and the workforce employed for different tasks. The city’s growth depended greatly on the functioning of these institutions.

(i) What dual role did temples play in Mesopotamian cities?

Answer: Temples served both religious and administrative functions in the cities.

(ii) Why were scribes needed in temple complexes?

Answer: Scribes were needed to record transactions, workforce details, and distribute goods like grains.

(iii) How did temple management support agriculture?

Answer: Temples managed the storage and distribution of agricultural produce and organized irrigation planning to improve farming.

(iv) State one way in which temples contributed to the city’s population growth.

Answer: Temples provided employment and attracted people to settle near urban centers for work and worship.

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