There was civilization in Mesopotamia between 4000 and 3000 BCE, long before it developed in the Americas. [Civilization developed]

Civilization developed in Mesopotamia between 4000 and 3000 BCE, long before

it developed in the Americas.

 

-L-6b There Is, It Is

Rewrite each of the following sentences so that it no longer begins with an EXPLETIVE. Begin

each rewrite with the words in brackets. Answers to even-numbered items can be found at

the back of the book.

EXAMPLE

1. It was 2500 BCE when Neolithic cultures in Mexico began to grow squash, beans, chilies, and corn. [Neolithic cultures in Mexico]

2. It was the growth of such crops that enabled the Neolithic cultures to settle in villages. [The growth of such crops]

3. Then there arose the Olmec, the earliest civilization in the Americas. [Then the Olmec]

4. Traditionally, there were two conditions required for a culture to earn the label civilization. [Traditionally, two conditions]

5. First, it was necessary for the culture to form settled agricultural communities. [First, the culture]

6. Second, there had to develop urban centers with religious and social power structures made up of literate leaders. [Second, urban centers]

7. It was the Zapotec people who overtook the Olmec around 400 BCE. [The Zapotec people]

8. About the same time but farther south, there was the beginning of the great civilization of the Maya. [About the same time but farther south, the great civilization of the Maya]

9. There developed out of Olmec, Zapotec, and Maya contributions Mesoamerican civilization, noted for its monumental buildings, calendars, ritual ballgames, and systems of counting and writing. [Mesoamerican civilization]

10. It is also noteworthy that Mesoamericans sacrificed humans to their corn goddess and other deities. [Notably, Mesoamericans]

Name: _____________________________________________________ Class/section: ________________________________