Text: Great Civilisations - Benin Empire - ‘Divine Head’ (pg.8-9) and ‘Inside the Palace’ (pg.

10-11)
Success criteria
1. Read the question twice
2. Circle the keyword / phrase in the question (there may be more than one)
3. Scan the text and underline the keyword (retrieval) / phrase (meaning of a word) / evidence (inference)
4. Read around the keyword/phrase (you may need to read a whole paragraph)
5. Answer the question carefully, using evidence taken directly from the text (if required)
Chapter: Divine Head (pg.8-9)
Skill: Retrieval
Question: What did the Oba control?
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Skill: Meaning of a Word in Context
Look at the paragraph beginning: “The Oba’s people believed…”
Question: Find and copy a word that is similar in meaning to ‘continuous’.
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Question: What do you think the word ‘supreme’ means?
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Skill: Retrieval
Question: Who was the Supreme God?
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Skill: Inference
Question: The Oba was secretive. Find a piece of evidence to support this statement.
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Skill: Retrieval
Question: What are the possible ingredients to make brass or bronze?
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Skill: Inference
Question: The royal craftsmen were dedicated to the Oba. Write a piece of evidence that supports this point.
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Skill: Summarise
Question: Number the following events 1-5 to show the order in which they happened.

Sand flowed out and dry land – Benin - was created.

The youngest child took a shell to Earth and tipped it upside down.
Osanobua sent his children to Earth (which was water and air).
The youngest child became the first king.
The Earth was made of water and air.

Chapter: Inside the Palace (pg.10-11)

Skill: Retrieval
Question: What was the Uzama?
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Skill: Meaning of a word in context
Question: In the paragraph beginning: “The Oba lived…”
Find and copy one word that is similar in meaning to ‘sophisticated’.
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Skill: Meaning of a Word in Context
Look at the paragraph beginning: There was often trouble…
Question: Find and copy a group of words that tell you that the Uzama were not appointed by the Oba.
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Question: ‘He was determined to curb the Uzama’s power.’
What is the meaning of the word ‘curb’ in this context?
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Skill: Inference
Question: ‘He developed his image as an all-powerful king.’
What evidence in the text suggests this? Give one example.
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Skill: Distinguish between statements of fact and opinion
Statement Fact Opinion
Benin’s government was complex.

Royal craftsmen were highly skilled.

The Oba was the political and spiritual leader of Benin.

Skill: Inference
Question: Look at page 11. Everyone knew their place in Benin society. What impression does this
statement give you about the people of Benin?
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