See the history question paper for class 6/7.
Safeer English Madrasah (SEM)
End of Autumn Term Summative Assessment
December 2025
(20% of the total marks)
History Assessment
Topic: Ancient Egypt and Early Civilisation
Year Group: Year 6 & Year 7
Time: 1 Hour
Total Marks: 100
Reading Passage (Read Carefully)
Ancient Egypt and the Rise of Civilisation
Ancient Egypt was one of the world’s earliest and most successful civilisations. It developed around the River Nile in North-East Africa over 5,000 years ago. The Nile was essential to Egyptian life. Every year, it flooded the land and left behind fertile soil, which allowed crops such as wheat and barley to grow. This reliable food supply helped people settle in one place instead of moving around, leading to the growth of villages, towns, and cities.
The ancient Egyptians developed a highly organised society. At the top was the pharaoh, who was believed to be both a king and a god. Below the pharaoh were priests, nobles, and government officials who helped run the country. Scribes were very important because they could read and write hieroglyphics, the Egyptian writing system. Most people were farmers, while others worked as craftsmen, builders, or traders.
Religion played a central role in Egyptian civilisation. The Egyptians believed in many gods, such as Ra, the sun god, and Osiris, the god of the afterlife. They strongly believed in life after death, which led to practices such as mummification. Important people were buried in tombs filled with goods they believed they would need in the afterlife. The pyramids were built as grand tombs for pharaohs and remain one of the greatest architectural achievements of the ancient world.
Ancient Egypt made important contributions to civilisation. They developed early forms of mathematics, medicine, astronomy, and engineering. They created calendars based on the flooding of the Nile and used advanced building techniques to construct temples and monuments. Egyptian civilisation lasted for thousands of years and influenced many later cultures.
Question Paper
Level 1: Knowledge & Recall (20 marks)
Answer all questions.
(Each question: 4 marks)
1. Where did Ancient Egyptian civilisation develop?
2. Why was the River Nile important to the Egyptians?
3. Who was the pharaoh, and what did people believe about him?
4. Name two gods worshipped by the ancient Egyptians.
5. What were pyramids mainly built for?
Level 2: Understanding & Explanation (25 marks)
Answer all questions.
(Each question: 5 marks)
6. Explain how the flooding of the Nile helped Egyptian civilisation to grow.
7. Why were scribes important in Ancient Egypt?
8. Describe the role of religion in the daily life of ancient Egyptians.
9. Explain why farming was important for the majority of Egyptians.
10. How did the belief in the afterlife affect Egyptian burial practices?
Level 3: Application & Analysis (30 marks)
Answer all questions.
(Each question: 10 marks)
11. Compare Ancient Egypt with early human societies that moved from place to place. Why was settling near the Nile an advantage?
12. Explain how the social hierarchy helped Ancient Egypt function as a civilisation.
13. Analyse why the pyramids are considered an important achievement in human history.
Level 4: Evaluation & Extended Writing (25 marks)
Answer ONE question only.
(25 marks)
14. “The River Nile was the most important factor in the success of Ancient Egyptian civilisation.”
Do you agree?
Use evidence from the passage and your own knowledge to explain your answer.
OR
15. Explain why Ancient Egypt is considered a civilisation rather than just a settlement.
In your answer, refer to government, religion, writing, and achievements.
Mark Distribution Summary
Level Skill Focus Marks
Level 1 Recall & facts 20
Level 2 Understanding 25
Level 3 Analysis 30
Level 4 Evaluation & writing 25
Total 100