Direction: Read the following passage and answer the questions given after it. India was one of the first places where human civilization started, around 5000 years BC this civilization was located around the Indus River. Hence it is known as Indus Valley civilization It is also known as the Harappan Civilization because records show one of the city's names was Harappa. It was 1 of 1500 cities in the Indus River Valley another well-known city being Mohenjo-Daro, It wasn't until 1920 that the civilization was discovered at all. There were four known major cities, Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Mehrgarh, and Lothal. Mohenjo-Daro was not only the largest city of the Indus Valley Civilization but also one of the world's earliest major urban centers. Much of the cities were made from clay bricks baked in a furnace known as a kiln. The cities were advanced for their time, having their own wells and water drainage systems as well as having grid-style roads in the cities. They were also noted for clusters of large, nonresidential buildings. But most people did not live in the urban areas and instead lived in the local farming villages. Though little is known about the Indus Valley people, we do know a little about their farming habits. They had domesticated peas, wheat, melons, dates, sesame seeds, as well as cotton. They had advanced knowledge of the process of drying wheat, and a large granary was discovered, a building whose sole purpose is to hold and dry large amounts of wheat. They also created some large structures, one of the largest being a public pool known as the Great Bath that was 40 feet long, 10 feet deep, and 20 feet wide.
Which of the following crops were NOT grown by people of Indus Valley?
Sugarcane
Understanding Indus Valley Civilization Crops
The question asks us to identify which crop, among the given options, was not grown by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization, based on the provided passage.
The passage discusses various aspects of the Indus Valley Civilization, including their farming habits. It explicitly lists several crops that they domesticated and grew.
Analyzing the Passage for Indus Valley Crops
Let's carefully read the section of the passage that describes the farming practices of the Indus Valley people:
"Though little is known about the Indus Valley people, we do know a little about their farming habits. They had domesticated peas, wheat, melons, dates, sesame seeds, as well as cotton. They had advanced knowledge of the process of drying wheat, and a large granary was discovered, a building whose sole purpose is to hold and dry large amounts of wheat. They also created some large structures..."
From this text, we can list the crops mentioned as grown by the Indus Valley people:
- Peas
- Wheat
- Melons
- Dates
- Sesame seeds
- Cotton
Evaluating the Given Crop Options
Now, let's compare the crops listed in the passage with the options provided in the question:
- Cotton
- Peas
- Wheat
- Sugarcane
Based on the passage:
- Cotton is mentioned as a crop grown.
- Peas are mentioned as a crop grown.
- Wheat is mentioned as a crop grown.
- Sugarcane is NOT mentioned in the list of crops grown by the Indus Valley people according to this passage.
Identifying the Crop NOT Grown
Since Cotton, Peas, and Wheat are all explicitly mentioned in the passage as crops grown by the Indus Valley people, the crop that was NOT grown, according to this specific text, is Sugarcane.
Conclusion on Indus Valley Agriculture
The passage provides specific details about the agricultural practices of the Indus Valley Civilization, listing several key crops. By comparing this information to the options, we can determine which crop was not part of their cultivation according to the text.
| Crop Option | Mentioned in Passage? | Grown by Indus Valley People (as per text)? |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Yes | Yes |
| Peas | Yes | Yes |
| Wheat | Yes | Yes |
| Sugarcane | No | No (as per text) |
Therefore, based strictly on the information provided in the passage, Sugarcane was not among the crops grown by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Revision Table: Indus Valley Civilization Facts
| Aspect | Details from Passage |
|---|---|
| Period | Around 5000 years BC |
| Location | Around the Indus River |
| Other Name | Harappan Civilization |
| Major Cities (Known) | Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Mehrgarh, Lothal |
| Largest City | Mohenjo-Daro |
| Building Material | Clay bricks baked in a kiln |
| City Features | Wells, water drainage, grid-style roads, non-residential buildings |
| Farming Habits | Domesticated/grew peas, wheat, melons, dates, sesame seeds, cotton |
| Notable Structures | Granary (for wheat), Great Bath (40ft long, 10ft deep, 20ft wide) |
Additional Information: Indus Valley Civilization Agriculture
While the passage lists specific crops, archaeological evidence and historical research indicate a broader range of crops cultivated by the Indus Valley Civilization. However, for the purpose of answering this question, we rely solely on the information given in the provided text.
The Indus Valley people were known for their advanced agricultural techniques and practices, which supported a large urban population. They cultivated both Rabi (winter) crops like wheat and barley and Kharif (summer) crops like cotton and dates. Their knowledge of storing grains, as evidenced by the granaries found in cities like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, was crucial for their economy.
The domestication of cotton is particularly significant as it suggests they were among the earliest people to cultivate this plant for textiles.
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
Why, according to the writer can't people be motivated to use a resource prudently?
1. They feel that others may overuse the resource
2. It is possible to substitute the resource
3. Abundance of the resource availability
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
When do people use resources exhaustively?
The self-interest of people affects the use of renewable resources
People rooted in a locality
Which among the following is closest in meaning with the word 'deplete'?
