Question Bank — Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation

Section A — MCQs (10 questions, 1 mark each)

1. Which of the following statements correctly describes the significance of the Neolithic period?
   a) It marked the beginning of the use of iron tools
   b) It witnessed the shift from hunting-gathering to agriculture and domestication of animals
   c) It was characterised by the exclusive use of microlithic tools
   d) It ended with the emergence of Homo erectus

2. Homo erectus is considered significant because:
   a) It was the first hominin to make microlithic tools
   b) It was the first hominin to migrate out of Africa with stone tools like handaxes and cleavers
   c) It developed the cuneiform script
   d) It lived only in the Indian subcontinent

3. The earliest known writing systems include:
   a) Brahmi script of the Harappans
   b) Cuneiform of the Sumerians and hieroglyphic script of ancient Egypt
   c) Only the Harappan pictographic script
   d) The Iron Age script of China

4. Assertion (A): The study of early human history is based mainly on archaeological evidence.
   Reason (R): Written languages emerged at different times in different parts of the world, and the period before writing is understood through tools, fossils and artefacts.
   a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
   b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
   c) A is true but R is false
   d) A is false but R is true

5. Which site in the Indian subcontinent is considered the oldest Neolithic site?
   a) Bhimbetka
   b) Mehrgarh
   c) Attirampakkam
   d) Lothal

6. The term ‘Old World’ refers to:
   a) The geographical area of the earliest human settlements in Africa, Asia and Europe
   b) The regions where Bronze Age civilisations emerged only in river valleys
   c) The period after the invention of writing
   d) The area covered by the Great Wall of China

7. Assertion (A): The Harappan script has not yet been deciphered.
   Reason (R): Unlike the cuneiform and hieroglyphic scripts, the Harappan pictographic script found on seals and pottery remains undeciphered.
   a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
   b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
   c) A is true but R is false
   d) A is false but R is true

8. The shift from hunting-gathering to food production during the Neolithic period is often called a ‘revolution’ because:
   a) It led to the immediate decline of all hunter-gatherer groups
   b) It enabled surplus food production and laid the foundation for settled life and civilisation
   c) It was accompanied by the invention of iron tools
   d) It occurred simultaneously across all continents

9. Which of the following correctly matches the civilisation with its river system?
   a) Mesopotamian – Nile
   b) Egyptian – Tigris and Euphrates
   c) Chinese – Huang He and Yangtze
   d) Harappan – Congo

10. The Code of Hammurabi is associated with which civilisation?
    a) Egyptian
    b) Babylonian
    c) Chinese
    d) Harappan

Section B — Very Short Answer (6 questions, 2 marks each)

1. Define the term ‘hominin’ and state one characteristic feature of early hominins.
2. Identify two major differences between the Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods.
3. State any two ways in which archaeology helps us understand early human history.
4. Mention any two features of the Mesolithic period.
5. Identify the location and significance of Mehrgarh.
6. State any two features of the Sumerian writing system (cuneiform).

Section C — Short Answer (5 questions, 3 marks each)

1. Explain how early humans adapted to environmental changes during the Quaternary Period. Give three points.
2. Compare the tools and lifestyle of Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers with those of Neolithic farmers.
3. Give reasons why rivers played an important role in the growth of early civilisations.
4. Describe three features of the Neolithic way of life in the Indian subcontinent.
5. Explain how the development of writing marked the beginning of the historical period. Give three points with examples from any two civilisations.

Section D — Long Answer (3 questions, 5 marks each)

1. Analyse the causes and consequences of the Neolithic Revolution. How did it lead to the emergence of early civilisations?
2. Examine the significance of the migration of early humans out of Africa. Discuss the role of Homo erectus and Homo sapiens in this process.
3. Compare the major features of the Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilisations with reference to their writing systems, social organisation and contributions.

Section E — Source-Based (2 questions, 4 marks each)

Source 1

“From about 400 BCE, a script known as Brahmi was used in parts of southern India and in the Ganga Valley (northern India). It was later formalised by the Emperor Aśhoka (3rd century BCE) and contemporary Iron Age people all over southern India. You will learn more about the journey of scripts in higher grades.”

1. What is the script mentioned in the source? (1)
2. Who formalised this script and in which century? (1)
3. How does this source help us understand the development of writing in India? (1)
4. Why is the study of scripts important for understanding early civilisations? (1)

Source 2

“Over time, human ways of life changed from hunting and gathering to agriculture and food production. The ability to produce surplus food and material goods laid the foundation for the emergence of civilisation.”

1. What change in human lifestyle is described in the source? (1)
2. What does the source mean by ‘surplus food and material goods’? (1)
3. How did this change contribute to the beginning of civilisation? (1)
4. Name any one period associated with this transition. (1)