Question

You are an adviser to the pharaoh in ancient Egypt. The pharaoh wants to build a fleet of new ships to increase trade by moving more goods. This requires wood. Egypt has a trading partner in Southwest Asia that has offered enough wood for the project in exchange for 2,500 sacks of grain. Egypt’s current emergency grain supply is 5,000 sacks of grain. If the pharaoh agrees, this will reduce the country’s emergency grain supply. The supply is already low due to a weak harvest from the previous year. If the upcoming harvest is not large, and the 2,500 sacks of grain are traded, Egypt may risk a famine. There will not be enough grain to feed the Egyptian people. The pharaoh must decide if the benefit of the new fleet of ships is worth the cost of a possible famine.

1. Describe the costs of trading grain for wood in ancient Egypt. In other words, what are the drawbacks of trading grain for wood?
2. Describe the benefits of trading grain for wood in ancient Egypt. In other words, what are the positive outcomes of trading grain for wood?
3. Based on your understanding of the ancient Egyptian economy, explain whether you would advise the pharaoh to trade grain for wood. Give two reasons for your answer.

Answer 1

Trading grain for wood in ancient Egypt has costs such as a lack of emergency grain supply and the risk of famine, but it also has benefits like increasing trade and securing access to resources. It is recommended to trade grain for wood to ensure economic growth and secure important trading goods.

Step-by-step explanation:

Costs of trading grain for wood in ancient Egypt:

1. Lack of emergency grain supply in case of a weak harvest or famine
2. Risk of food shortages and potential famine

Benefits of trading grain for wood in ancient Egypt:

1. Increase in trade by building a fleet of new ships
2. Access to sufficient wood for the project

Reasons to advise the pharaoh on trading grain for wood:

1. Ensuring the growth of trade and economic development
2. Securing Egypt's access to vital resources and trading goods