More Practice for SEQs - Past Year Questions

Hi all,

Do attempt these questions before referring to the answers provided.

SEQ 2006

1. Birth of Civilisation 15m

a. Why was being close to water sources important for the rise of civilizations? 4m

b. How did the maritime kingdom of Funan rise from a village to a city? 4m

c. Do you agree that the only common feature of the early civilizations in ancient India, China and Southeast Asia was that they all had their own system of government? 7m



Answers:

1a. Being close to water was important to the rise of civilizations because it could provide additional source of food from the river such as fish. This was essential to the survival of a civilization and hence it was important to be close to water.

In addition, being close to water also meant that farming would be possible because water from the river could be used for irrigation and made land easier to plough. Therefore, being close to river was important so that civilization could take place and farming could provide sufficient food for its people.

1b. Firstly, the maritime kingdom of Funan was a convenient rest stop for traders from India and other parts of Asia to get to. Oc-eo, which was the main city of Funan, was located near the Isthmus of Kra and this allowed traders from India to sail to the western side of the Isthmus of Kra and had their goods carried overland to ship on the eastern side. With the increase of trade, this also meant that Funan could slowly rise from a village to a city.

Secondly, Funan was a rich rice-producing area. There was enough rice for the local people and the foreign traders. Hence, the availability of food attracted many traders to come to trade in Funan and this explained its rise from a village to a city.

1c. I disagree. Besides having their own system of government, India, China and Southeast Asia also had another common feature such as different occupations.

In the Indus Valley civilization, archaeologists had confirmed that the people of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro had their own system of government. This was because the city itself was well organized, there was a drainage system and the presence of other public buildings such as granary and citadel indicated that a government had been responsible for such features. In the Shang civilization, ancient records indicated that it was ruled by kings who lived in the capital. In the capital, there were houses, temples and even palaces. Similarly, in Southeast Asia, early maritime cities were ruled by kings. These kings regarded religion as very important and would religious buildings out of stone. The Angkor Wat was one example. Therefore, it was right that that one of the common features of the early civilizations in ancient India, China and Southeast Asia was that they all had their own system of government.

However, these civilisations also had one more features of civilisation in common and that was different occupations. As all the three civilisations had developed into cities in their own ways, many different occupations were created to ensure the survival of these cities. For instance, all three civilisations would traders and merchants to trade, priests to carry out religious ceremonies and farmers to provide food for the masses. Based on this, it is inaccurate to say that the only common feature of the early civilizations in ancient India, China and Southeast Asia was that they all had their own system of government.

In conclusion, I disagree that these three civilisations only had one thing in common that was government. In fact, not only they had different occupations, these civilisations also their own system of writing which was common in all three civilisations.