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Topic Sentence: Irrigation, the wheel, the
plow, and the domestication of animals
helped the growth of Mesopotamian
civilization.
Main Point #1: First, irrigation helped the
growth of Mesopotamian civilization.
Evidence and Explanation: Because it was
between two rivers, Mesopotamia used
irrigation to grow crops.
Evidence and Explanation: By growing
more crops, Mesopotamia fed its own
people and created a surplus for trade.
Main Point #2: Seond, the wheel helped
the growth of Mesopotamian civilization.
Evidence and Explanation: The wheel was
invented in Sumer, a society in Ancient
Mesopotamia.
Evidence and Explanation: The wheel was
used for chariots, which made Sumer’s
military stronger.
Evidence and Explanation: The wheel was
used for pulling plows, which made the
land more fertile.
Main Point #3: Third, the plow helped the
growth of Mesopotamian civilization.
Evidence and Explanation: The plow was
invented in Mesopotamia.
Evidence and Explanation: The plow
turned over dirt as it was dragged over
land.
Evidence and Explanation: By turning over
dirt the plow made the land more fertile,
which helped to feed the population of
Mesopotamia and create a surplus.
Main Point #4: Fourth, the domestication
of animals helped the growth of
Mesopotamian civilization.
Evidence and Explanation: Oxen were first
domesticated in Mesopotamia.
Evidence and Explanation: Oxen pulled
heavier plows than humans.
Evidence and Explanation: Oxen pulled
plows more quickly than humans.
Evidence and Explanation: By
domesticating oxen to pull plows,
Mesopotamia grew more food.
Conclusion: In conclusion, irrigation, the
wheel, the plow, and the domestication of
animals helped the growth of
Mesopotamian civilization by making the
area more fertile.
More Fertile Mesopotamia