© Macmillan Publishers Limited 2012 PHOTOCOPIABLE

•Pupils should read the text about the Aztecs and the Incas and answer the questions in activity 1 individually. •Pupils should then complete the second activity and ask their questions to a partner.•Pupils finally discuss the question in the third activity with their partner.

Class worksheet 2Civilisations of the Americas

Name Class Read the text about the Aztec and Inca civilisations and answer the questions.

The most important pre-Columbian civilisations were the Aztecs and the Incas.The Aztecs lived in Mexico. They were fierce warriors and conquered many other tribes. They believed in many gods and built temples and pyramids in their honour. Their most important gods were the Sun god and the god of war.

The Aztecs were farmers who grew corn, beans, tomatoes, avocados and cocoa. They made chocolate with the cocoa. They invented floating gardens called chinampas. Layers of branches were sunk under the surface of a lake and farmers grew vegetables on them.

The Incas lived in Peru. Like the Aztecs, they built a very powerful empire. During times of peace they were also farmers who cultivated potatoes, peanuts, corn and cotton. They were ruled by an Emperor who they believed was the son of the Sun god. Like the Aztecs, they believed in many gods and their most important god was also the Sun god. Unlike the Aztecs, the Incas built roads and used llamas to transport goods.

unit 11

a Where did the Aztecs live? b Where did the Incas live? c Identify one difference between the Aztec and the Inca civilisations.

Write questions about the text for a partner to answer.

a b

How did the small Spanish expeditions defeat these civilisations? Talk to your partner about this question. Then share your ideas with the rest of the class.

Inca Warrior

Aztec Warrior