Read the passage given below and write the option that you consider the most appropriate
in your answer sheet.
The greater Indus region is considered to be the home of the four main ancient urban
civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, South Asia and China. This was discovered in the
19205. Archaeologists discovered two cities that were located four hundred miles apart
along the banks of River Indus, in the Sindh Region of undivided India. The major part
of the site is now in Pakistan. The cities are thought to be four thousand years old. They
were built with an expertise that indicates the existence of a very advanced civilization,
comparable to ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian Civilizations. Archaeologists called
these cities Mohenjodaro and Harappa. Mohenjodaro means ’hill of the dead’ and Harappa
is named after a nearby village. Scientists are still in the dark about what the ancient people
of these cities called themselves.
The people lived in sturdy brick houses that had as many as three floors. The houses had
well-constructed bathrooms with a connection to the sewage system of the town. Their
elaborate drainage system was centuries ahead of their time. Archaeologists have found the
remains of fine jewellery, including stones, from far away places. This shows that the people of the Indus Valley Civilization valued art and had trade relations with other civilizations.
Nobody yet knows what caused the extinction of this advanced civilization. It appears to
have been abandoned at about 1700 BC. However, there have been innumerable speculations
about the cause of extinction of the Indus Valley Civilization. Some archaeologists argue
that possibly a great flood may have weakened the civilization. Another group argues
that the moving tectonic plates that created the Himalayas may have caused a devastating
earthquake resulting in the extinction of the civilization. Some propose that, perhaps the
Indus Valley people were defeated by those of another culture.
Answer the following questions :
(a) What are the names of the four great civilizations of the ancient world ?
(b) What is thought to be the site for these civilizations?
(c) How old is the Indus Valley Civilization ?
(d) What is the meaning of 'Mohenjodaro' ?
(e) The Indus Valley Civilization was very advanced. How ?
(f) State one cause that could have put an end to this civilization.
(g) Did the people of Indus Valley have an active connection with other cultures ? If yes, what tells you so.
(h) Find a word from the passage that means 'disappearance'.
Answers
(a) Egypt, Mesopotamia, South-Asia and China.
(b) Two cities that were discovered, were located four hundred miles apart, along the banks of River Indus in the Sindh Region of undivided India.
(c) Indus Valley Civilization is thought to be four thousand years old.
(d) Mohenjodaro means ’hill of the dead’.
(e) The cities were built with an expertise having sturdy brick houses and well-constructed bathrooms with connections to the sewage system and elaborate drainage system. This shows they were very advanced.
(f) This civilization could have come to an end when they were defeated by another culture.
(g) Archaeologists have found the remains of fine jewellery, including stones from far away places which show that they had connection with other cultures.
(h) ’Extinction’.