Unit 1: Ancient World –

Civilizations and Religions (4000 B.C. – 500 A.D.)

1A) Early Peoples

1. Some archaeologists believe the earliest human presence in the Americas is associated with the

(1) migration of nomads across the Bering Strait(2) exploration of the Caribbean by Europeans(3) movement of tribes during the Bantu

migration(4) journey of traders along the Silk Roads

1. Some archaeologists believe the earliest human presence in the Americas is associated with the

(1) migration of nomads across the Bering Strait(2) exploration of the Caribbean by Europeans(3) movement of tribes during the Bantu

migration(4) journey of traders along the Silk Roads

2. The Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra were important to ancient India because they were

(1) high mountain ranges that protected Indiafrom invasion

(2) great rivers that flowed through India’s fertilenorthern plain

(3) Aryan gods to whom the priests prayed forrain

(4) ruling dynasties that united the people ofHarappa and Mohenjo-Daro

2. The Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra were important to ancient India because they were

(1) high mountain ranges that protected Indiafrom invasion

(2) great rivers that flowed through India’s fertilenorthern plain

(3) Aryan gods to whom the priests prayed forrain

(4) ruling dynasties that united the people ofHarappa and Mohenjo-Daro

1B) Neolithic Revolution

3. The Neolithic Revolution is most closely associated with

(1) using child labor in factories(2) domesticating plants and animals(3) learning to control fire(4) developing iron technology

3. The Neolithic Revolution is most closely associated with

(1) using child labor in factories(2) domesticating plants and animals(3) learning to control fire(4) developing iron technology

4. Which geographic feature has helped isolate China?

(1) Andes Mountains(2) Kalahari Desert(3) Himalaya Mountains(4) Great Rift Valley

4. Which geographic feature has helped isolate China?

(1) Andes Mountains(2) Kalahari Desert(3) Himalaya Mountains(4) Great Rift Valley

5. The Neolithic Revolution was a turning point in history because

(1) factories began to use assembly-line techniques(2) new inventions led to overseas exploration(3) alternatives to hunting and gathering developed(4) the use of chemical fertilizers increased

agricultural production

5. The Neolithic Revolution was a turning point in history because

(1) factories began to use assembly-line techniques(2) new inventions led to overseas exploration(3) alternatives to hunting and gathering developed(4) the use of chemical fertilizers increased

agricultural production

6. The ancient Sumerians modified their environment to increase food production by

(1) building terraces(2) removing rain forests(3) digging irrigation canals(4) developing chinampas

6. The ancient Sumerians modified their environment to increase food production by

(1) building terraces(2) removing rain forests(3) digging irrigation canals(4) developing chinampas

7. Which geographic feature did the earliest civilizations in Egypt, India, and China have in common?

(1) mountains that provided protection from invasion

(2) rivers that increased the fertility of the land by flooding

(3) vast forests that supplied lumber for building(4) tropical climates that included monsoons

7. Which geographic feature did the earliest civilizations in Egypt, India, and China have in common?

(1) mountains that provided protection from invasion

(2) rivers that increased the fertility of the land by flooding

(3) vast forests that supplied lumber for building(4) tropical climates that included monsoons

8. Which river system is found in Mesopotamia?

(1) Nile River(2) Yellow River(3) Tigris and Euphrates rivers(4) Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers

8. Which river system is found in Mesopotamia?

(1) Nile River(2) Yellow River(3) Tigris and Euphrates rivers(4) Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers

…We give our obedience to those whom we put in positions of authority, and we obey the laws themselves, especially those which are for the protection of the oppressed, and those unwritten laws which it is an acknowledged shame to break…

— Pericles, quoted in History of the Peloponnesian War

9. In this quotation, Pericles is praising Athenian

(1) civic values(2) artistic creativity(3) military strengths(4) commercial success

…We give our obedience to those whom we put in positions of authority, and we obey the laws themselves, especially those which are for the protection of the oppressed, and those unwritten laws which it is an acknowledged shame to break…

— Pericles, quoted in History of the Peloponnesian War

9. In this quotation, Pericles is praising Athenian

(1) civic values(2) artistic creativity(3) military strengths(4) commercial success

Long before the rule of pharaohs, Egyptians grew wheat and barley and raised pigs, goats, sheep and cattle. Spotty evidence had suggested that agriculture was practiced there more than 7,000 years ago, two millenniums earlier than the first royal dynasties.…

—John Noble Wilford, New York Times, February 12, 2008

10. Which period in history is referred to in this excerpt?

(1) Industrial Revolution(2) Neolithic Revolution(3) Scientific Revolution(4) Green Revolution

Long before the rule of pharaohs, Egyptians grew wheat and barley and raised pigs, goats, sheep and cattle. Spotty evidence had suggested that agriculture was practiced there more than 7,000 years ago, two millenniums earlier than the first royal dynasties.…

—John Noble Wilford, New York Times, February 12, 2008

10. Which period in history is referred to in this excerpt?

(1) Industrial Revolution(2) Neolithic Revolution(3) Scientific Revolution(4) Green Revolution

11. One way in which the ancient Sumerians, Egyptians, and Mayas are similar is that these civilizations developed

(1) irrigation systems(2) iron weapons(3) wheeled vehicles(4) block printing system

11. One way in which the ancient Sumerians, Egyptians, and Mayas are similar is that these civilizations developed

(1) irrigation systems(2) iron weapons(3) wheeled vehicles(4) block printing system

12. Which Neolithic Revolution development led to the other three?

(1) complex civilizations(2) surplus of food(3) division of labor(4) domestication of plants and animals

12. Which Neolithic Revolution development led to the other three?

(1) complex civilizations(2) surplus of food(3) division of labor(4) domestication of plants and animals

13. Which statement about the Neolithic Revolution is an opinion rather than a fact?

(1) Early peoples made greater cultural advancements than did people of later civilizations.

(2) The Neolithic Revolution resulted in changes for nomadic peoples.

(3) New technology was developed during the Neolithic Revolution.

(4) Agricultural developments resulted in the establishment of permanent settlements.

13. Which statement about the Neolithic Revolution is an opinion rather than a fact?

(1) Early peoples made greater cultural advancements than did people of later civilizations.

(2) The Neolithic Revolution resulted in changes for nomadic peoples.

(3) New technology was developed during the Neolithic Revolution.

(4) Agricultural developments resulted in the establishment of permanent settlements.

• “River of Sorrows Floods Again”• “Thousands Missing After Huang He Overflows”• “Over 10 Million Reported Homeless After 1931• Flooding”

14. These newspaper headlines describe the effects of geography on the people of

(1) China(2) Japan(3) India(4) Vietnam

• “River of Sorrows Floods Again”• “Thousands Missing After Huang He Overflows”• “Over 10 Million Reported Homeless After 1931• Flooding”

14. These newspaper headlines describe the effects of geography on the people of

(1) China(2) Japan(3) India(4) Vietnam

15. Which heading best completes the partial outline below?

I. __________________________________A. Development of a stable food supplyB. Establishment of permanent settlementsC. Development of writing systems and religions

(1) Effects of the Migration of People(2) Results of the Neolithic Revolution(3) Achievements During Feudalism(4) Causes of the Green Revolution in Agriculture

15. Which heading best completes the partial outline below?

I. __________________________________A. Development of a stable food supplyB. Establishment of permanent settlementsC. Development of writing systems and religions

(1) Effects of the Migration of People(2) Results of the Neolithic Revolution(3) Achievements During Feudalism(4) Causes of the Green Revolution in Agriculture

16. Which statement about the early Indus River valley civilization is an opinion rather than a fact?

(1) Farmers grew a surplus of barley, wheat, and dates.

(2) The Indus people developed a system of writing.(3) Planned cities indicated a use of technology.(4) The Indus city-states were the most developed of

the time period.

16. Which statement about the early Indus River valley civilization is an opinion rather than a fact?

(1) Farmers grew a surplus of barley, wheat, and dates.

(2) The Indus people developed a system of writing.(3) Planned cities indicated a use of technology.(4) The Indus city-states were the most developed of

the time period.

• If a son has struck his father, they shall cut off his hand.• If a seignior has destroyed the eye of a member of the

aristocracy, they shall destroy his eye.• If he has broken another seignior’s bone, they shall

break his bone.

17. Which document contains these statements?

(1) Ten Commandments(2) Code of Hammurabi(3) Edicts of Asoka(4) Twelve Tables

• If a son has struck his father, they shall cut off his hand.• If a seignior has destroyed the eye of a member of the

aristocracy, they shall destroy his eye.• If he has broken another seignior’s bone, they shall

break his bone.

17. Which document contains these statements?

(1) Ten Commandments(2) Code of Hammurabi(3) Edicts of Asoka(4) Twelve Tables

18. The development of which early civilization was influenced most directly by the Tigris River, the Zagros Mountains, and the Syrian Desert?

(1) Chinese (3) Egyptian(2) Maya (4) Mesopotamian

18. The development of which early civilization was influenced most directly by the Tigris River, the Zagros Mountains, and the Syrian Desert?

(1) Chinese (3) Egyptian(2) Maya (4) Mesopotamian

1C) Classical Civilizations

19. Oracle bones, Daoism, and the Mandate of Heaven are all associated with early civilizations in

(1) Egypt (3) India(2) Russia (4) China

19. Oracle bones, Daoism, and the Mandate of Heaven are all associated with early civilizations in

(1) Egypt (3) India(2) Russia (4) China

20. The rule of Shi Huangdi, legalism, and the tomb of terra cotta soldiers are most closely associated with the

(1) Maurya Empire (3) Persian Empire(2) Qin dynasty (4) Hellenistic culture

20. The rule of Shi Huangdi, legalism, and the tomb of terra cotta soldiers are most closely associated with the

(1) Maurya Empire (3) Persian Empire(2) Qin dynasty (4) Hellenistic culture

21. What was one of the most important contributions of the Greek city-state of Athens?

(1) development of direct democracy(2) diffusion of a monotheistic belief system(3) promotion of the equality of all humans(4) creation of a writing system using

hieroglyphics

21. What was one of the most important contributions of the Greek city-state of Athens?

(1) development of direct democracy(2) diffusion of a monotheistic belief system(3) promotion of the equality of all humans(4) creation of a writing system using

hieroglyphics

22. Which philosophy is most closely associated with the development of the Chinese civil service system?

(1) legalism (3) Daoism(2) Buddhism (4) Confucianism

22. Which philosophy is most closely associated with the development of the Chinese civil service system?

(1) legalism (3) Daoism(2) Buddhism (4) Confucianism

23. Which factor contributed to the fall of the Han dynasty, the fall of the Roman Empire, and the fall of the Abbasid Empire?

(1) invasions by nomadic peoples from Central Asia(2) demands for religious freedom by Christians (3) long periods of drought that led to isolation(4) dependence on slaves to produce

manufactured goods

23. Which factor contributed to the fall of the Han dynasty, the fall of the Roman Empire, and the fall of the Abbasid Empire?

(1) invasions by nomadic peoples from Central Asia(2) demands for religious freedom by Christians (3) long periods of drought that led to isolation(4) dependence on slaves to produce

manufactured goods

24. Which geographic factor contributed to the formation of independent city-states in ancient Greece?

(1) tropical rainforests(2) fertile farmland(3) navigable rivers(4) mountainous topography

24. Which geographic factor contributed to the formation of independent city-states in ancient Greece?

(1) tropical rainforests(2) fertile farmland(3) navigable rivers(4) mountainous topography

25. At the height of its power, which ancient civilization controlled the entire coastal region surrounding the Mediterranean Sea?

(1) Phoenician (3) Roman(2) Persian (4) Carthaginian

25. At the height of its power, which ancient civilization controlled the entire coastal region surrounding the Mediterranean Sea?

(1) Phoenician (3) Roman(2) Persian (4) Carthaginian

26. One way in which the ancient city-state of Athens and the Gupta Empire are similar is that both

(1) allowed universal suffrage(2) developed matriarchal societies(3) promoted art and literature(4) established plantation agriculture

26. One way in which the ancient city-state of Athens and the Gupta Empire are similar is that both

(1) allowed universal suffrage(2) developed matriarchal societies(3) promoted art and literature(4) established plantation agriculture

27. What was one reason for the decline of both the Han dynasty and the western Roman Empire?

(1) outbreak of war between religious groups(2) inability to force back foreign invaders(3) efforts of the middle class to gain power (4) lack of a common currency

27. What was one reason for the decline of both the Han dynasty and the western Roman Empire?

(1) outbreak of war between religious groups(2) inability to force back foreign invaders(3) efforts of the middle class to gain power (4) lack of a common currency

28. China’s image of itself as the Middle Kingdom is associated with

(1) welcoming foreign ideas and influences(2) mixing Western religions with traditional

Chinese philosophies(3) controlling how contact occurs with other

cultures(4) building the Grand Canal to expand trade

within China

28. China’s image of itself as the Middle Kingdom is associated with

(1) welcoming foreign ideas and influences(2) mixing Western religions with traditional

Chinese philosophies(3) controlling how contact occurs with other

cultures(4) building the Grand Canal to expand trade

within China

29. One way in which the actions of Alexander the Great, Saladin, and Shaka Zulu are similar is that each implemented

(1) military strategies to defeat opponents(2) constitutions to define political powers(3) policies to increase religious persecution(4) legal changes to protect human rights

29. One way in which the actions of Alexander the Great, Saladin, and Shaka Zulu are similar is that each implemented

(1) military strategies to defeat opponents(2) constitutions to define political powers(3) policies to increase religious persecution(4) legal changes to protect human rights

• Asoka incorporated Buddhist ideas into the laws he had carved on rocks and pillars placed throughout the Mauryan Empire.

• Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

• Prince Vladimir required all Russians to become Eastern Orthodox Christians.

30. Which generalization can be made based on these statements?

(1) Leaders often use religion to unify an empire.(2) Many political leaders encourage religious toleration.(3) Leaders sometimes use religion as a reason to wage war.(4) Political leaders usually become the head of the church in their

country.

• Asoka incorporated Buddhist ideas into the laws he had carved on rocks and pillars placed throughout the Mauryan Empire.

• Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

• Prince Vladimir required all Russians to become Eastern Orthodox Christians.

30. Which generalization can be made based on these statements?

(1) Leaders often use religion to unify an empire.(2) Many political leaders encourage religious toleration.(3) Leaders sometimes use religion as a reason to wage war.(4) Political leaders usually become the head of the church in their

country.

31. Which statement about ancient Greece is an opinion rather than a fact?

(1) Mountainous terrain was an obstacle to Greek political unity.

(2) The Spartan culture placed an emphasis on military skills.

(3) Athens granted voting rights to male citizens only.

(4) Greek architecture was superior to Persian architecture.

31. Which statement about ancient Greece is an opinion rather than a fact?

(1) Mountainous terrain was an obstacle to Greek political unity.

(2) The Spartan culture placed an emphasis on military skills.

(3) Athens granted voting rights to male citizens only.

(4) Greek architecture was superior to Persian architecture.

32. The Thar Desert, Ganges River, and Deccan Plateau are all geographic features of

(1) Japan (3) India(2) China (4) Indonesia

32. The Thar Desert, Ganges River, and Deccan Plateau are all geographic features of

(1) Japan (3) India(2) China (4) Indonesia

1D) Belief Systems

33. Muslims’ reference to Christians and Jews as “People of the Book” demonstrates they all shared a belief in

(1) the pope (3) monotheism(2) the five relationships (4) dharma

33. Muslims’ reference to Christians and Jews as “People of the Book” demonstrates they all shared a belief in

(1) the pope (3) monotheism(2) the five relationships (4) dharma

34. Which belief system was the basis for the civil service exams given during the Han, Tang, and Song dynasties?

(1) legalism (3) Buddhism (2) Daoism (4) Confucianism

34. Which belief system was the basis for the civil service exams given during the Han, Tang, and Song dynasties?

(1) legalism (3) Buddhism (2) Daoism (4) Confucianism

35. Which religion includes the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and nirvana?

(1) Buddhism (3) Judaism(2) Hinduism (4) Christianity

35. Which religion includes the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and nirvana?

(1) Buddhism (3) Judaism(2) Hinduism (4) Christianity

36. Which belief system requires fasting during Ramadan, praying five times daily, and making a pilgrimage to Mecca?

(1) Judaism (3) Islam(2) Christianity (4) Hinduism

36. Which belief system requires fasting during Ramadan, praying five times daily, and making a pilgrimage to Mecca?

(1) Judaism (3) Islam(2) Christianity (4) Hinduism

• Fasting during Ramadan• Praying five times each day• Giving charity to the poor

37. Followers of which religion engage in these practices?

(1) Christianity (3) Islam(2) Buddhism (4) Judaism

• Fasting during Ramadan• Praying five times each day• Giving charity to the poor

37. Followers of which religion engage in these practices?

(1) Christianity (3) Islam(2) Buddhism (4) Judaism

38. Believers of Hinduism are expected to

(1) fulfill their dharma for a favorable reincarnation(2) complete a pilgrimage to Mecca(3) obey the Ten Commandments(4) follow the Eightfold Path to achieve

enlightenment

38. Believers of Hinduism are expected to

(1) fulfill their dharma for a favorable reincarnation(2) complete a pilgrimage to Mecca(3) obey the Ten Commandments(4) follow the Eightfold Path to achieve

enlightenment

39. A person who practices Hinduism would most likely

(1) believe the Vedas are sacred(2) worship in a synagogue(3) pray facing Mecca(4) make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem

39. A person who practices Hinduism would most likely

(1) believe the Vedas are sacred(2) worship in a synagogue(3) pray facing Mecca(4) make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem

40. The Ten Commandments, the Eightfold Path, and the Five Pillars of Faith each serve to

(1) provide followers with a guide for living(2) establish systems of justice(3) establish distinctions between social classes(4) provide regulations for government workers

40. The Ten Commandments, the Eightfold Path, and the Five Pillars of Faith each serve to

(1) provide followers with a guide for living(2) establish systems of justice(3) establish distinctions between social classes(4) provide regulations for government workers

• The Ganges River is sacred to people practicing Hinduism.• Shinto shrines are usually located near mountains or lakes.• The Jordan River is a site of many Christian baptisms.

41. Which conclusion is most valid based on these statements related to belief systems?

(1) The Middle East was the birthplace of these belief systems.

(2) Water plays an important role in these belief systems.(3) Pilgrimages to mountainous regions are encouraged by

these belief systems.(4) Understanding nature is a requirement of these belief

systems.

• The Ganges River is sacred to people practicing Hinduism.• Shinto shrines are usually located near mountains or lakes.• The Jordan River is a site of many Christian baptisms.

41. Which conclusion is most valid based on these statements related to belief systems?

(1) The Middle East was the birthplace of these belief systems.

(2) Water plays an important role in these belief systems.(3) Pilgrimages to mountainous regions are encouraged by

these belief systems.(4) Understanding nature is a requirement of these belief

systems.

42. What is one way in which animism, Shinto, and Daoism are similar?

(1) emphasis on harmony with nature(2) monotheistic belief systems(3) belief in the idea of nirvana(4) reliance on the teachings of the Vedas

42. What is one way in which animism, Shinto, and Daoism are similar?

(1) emphasis on harmony with nature(2) monotheistic belief systems(3) belief in the idea of nirvana(4) reliance on the teachings of the Vedas