The Pharaohs may have believed that it was their links with the Gods that kept Egypt going, but really it was the hard work of the ordinary people. It was they who dug the soil, worked in the mines and quarries, sailed the boats on the river Nile, marched with the army into Syria or Nubia, cooked food and raised children. Slavery was not very important in ancient Egypt, but it did exist. Most of the slaves were prisoners who had been captured during the many wars Egypt fought with their neighbors in the Near East. Slaves were usually treated well and were allowed to own property. Many Egyptian workers were serfs. This meant that their freedom was limited. They could be bought and sold along with the estates where they worked. Farmers had to be registered with the government. They had to sell crops at a fixed price and pay taxes in the form of produce. During the season of the Nile floods, when the fields lay under water, many workers were recruited into public building projects. Punishment for those who ran away was harsh.
Select the option that is incorrect according to the passage.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Slavery was extremely important in ancient - Egypt
The question asks for the statement that is incorrect. The passage says: "Slavery was not very important in ancient Egypt, but it did exist." Calling slavery extremely important goes against the passage, so this statement is the incorrect one.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: In the Egypt under the Pharaohs, slaves were allowed to own property — Incorrect. True in the passage: slaves "were allowed to own property".
Option 2: Most of the slaves were prisoners captured in the many wars Egypt fought with its neighbours in the NEAR EAST — Incorrect. True in the passage: most slaves were prisoners captured in Egypt's wars with its neighbours in the Near East.
Option 3: Slaves were well treated in ancient Egypt — Incorrect. True in the passage: slaves "were usually treated well".