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Read an Academic Passage Test #402

The Development of Cuneiform Writing

Cuneiform is the earliest known form of writing, developed by the ancient Sumerians in Mesopotamia around 3500–3000 B.C. The name "cuneiform" means "wedge-shaped," which refers to the distinctive marks that form the script. This writing system was not a language itself but a method of writing that was adapted to record several different languages of the ancient Near East. It was created not for literature, but for the practical purpose of record-keeping, such as tracking goods, recording transactions, and administering a complex agricultural economy.

The mechanics of writing cuneiform involved pressing a reed stylus into a soft clay tablet. The writer would make wedge-shaped impressions in the clay, which was then baked or left to dry in the sun to create a permanent record. This durability of clay is why so many cuneiform tablets have survived for millennia, providing modern historians with a wealth of information. The script itself evolved significantly over time. It began as a system of pictographs, where symbols looked like the objects they represented, but gradually became more abstract and intricate.

The evolution from pictographs to a more sophisticated syllabic and logographic script allowed for the expression of more complex ideas. Cuneiform was eventually used to record laws, such as the famous Code of Hammurabi, as well as myths, letters, and scientific observations. The skill of writing, however, was limited to a small class of professional scribes who underwent years of rigorous training. The use of cuneiform persisted for over 3,000 years before it was eventually replaced by alphabetic scripts, which were simpler to learn and use.

1. Which of the following best summarizes the passage?

A) Cuneiform was only used to record the Sumerian language.

B) The primary purpose of cuneiform was to write literature and myths.

C) Cuneiform was a durable, evolving writing system used for administrative and cultural purposes.

D) Learning cuneiform was a simple task for most people in Mesopotamia.

2. The word "intricate" in the passage is closest in meaning to

A) important

B) simple

C) complex

D) ancient

3. What can be inferred about alphabetic scripts compared to cuneiform?

A) They were less durable than cuneiform.

B) They were more difficult for people to learn.

C) They could not express complex ideas.

D) They were likely used by a larger portion of the population.

4. According to the passage, what was the original purpose for the invention of cuneiform?

A) To write legal codes.

B) To record poetry and stories.

C) To keep economic and administrative records.

D) To communicate with neighboring civilizations.

5. Why does the author mention that cuneiform evolved from pictographs?

A) To show that the script never changed over time.

B) To explain why the script was difficult to learn.

C) To illustrate the development of the writing system towards greater abstraction.

D) To argue that pictographs are a superior form of writing.

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