Cambridge 16 (General Training) | Test 2 | Section 3

Jobs in Ancient Egypt

In order to be engaged in the higher professions in ancientEgypt, a person had to be literate and so first had to become a scribe. The apprenticeship for this job lasted many years and was tough and challenging. It principally involved memorizing hieroglyphic symbols and practicing handwritten lettering. Scribes noted the everyday activities in ancient Egypt and wrote about everything from grain stocks to tax records. Therefore, most of our information on this rich culture comes from their records. Most scribes were men from privileged backgrounds. The occupation of scribe was among the most sought-after in ancient Egypt. Craftspeople endeavored to get their sons into the school for scribes, but they were rarely successful.

profession (noun) [countable]

/prəˈfeʃn/

any type of work that needs special training or a particular skill, often one that is respected because it involves a high level of education

e.g., Most professions in the medical field require years of training.

literate (adjective)

/ˈlɪtərət/

able to read and write

e.g., The job requires you to be computer literate.

apprenticeship (noun) [countable, uncountable]

/əˈprentɪʃɪp/

a period of time working as an apprentice; a job as an apprentice

e.g., Apprenticeships were becoming more difficult to find.