Periods 1 & 2 Test Practice Questions

The statuary above was produced in:

(A) ancient Persia.

(B) medieval Europe.

(C) Mughal India.

(D) ancient Greece.

(E) prehistoric France.

The photograph above is an example of:

(A) Incan highland commerce.

(B) Japanese Shinto animism.

(C) Plains tribes shamanism.

(D) Post Columbian colonial influence.

(E) Mayan temple architecture.

"Shape clay into a vessel; It is the space within that makes it useful. . . Therefore benefit comes from what is there; Usefulness from what is not there."

Which religion or belief system is most closely associated with this quote?

A. Confucianism

B. Daoism

C. Legalism

D. Buddhism

E. Hinduism

Which of the following statements would LEAST likely fit in with the ORIGINAL teachings of the Buddha?

(A) All human suffering is caused by desire.

(B) Enlightenment can most effectively be attained by coming to realize the Four Noble Truths and practicing the Eightfold Path.

(C) Enlightenment leads to a moment of awakening and transcendent consciousness known as nirvana.

(D) Enlightenment can most effectively be attained by venerating many gods and bodhisattvas.

(E) none of the above

How did the collapse of Han China most resemble the Roman Empire's loss of its European lands?

(A) Both were later devoured by the Byzantine Empire.

(B) Their leaders began to rely on Buddhism to guide their decision making.

(C) Both fell as a result of depletion of natural resources.

(D) Outside invaders contributed to the collapse of both empires.

(E) Both collapsed due to lack of technological innovation.

In regard to level of toleration and respect for conquered parts of the empire, the Romans were most similar to the

(A) Assyrians.

(B) Greeks.

(C)Persians.

(D)Chinese under Qin Shihuangdi.

(E) Aryans.

The map above shows

(A) Indian Ocean Trading System

(B) The Silk Road

(C)The Han Empire system of roads

(D)The Amber road

(E) Trans-Saharan trade routes.

A major difference between the teachings of Buddhism and Hinduism is

(A) belief in nirvana.

(B) the cycle of rebirth.

(C) the principle of nonviolence.

(D) belief in karma.

(E) belief in castes.

In the classical period, both China and India

A) showed considerable tolerance for different religions.

B) attempted to conquer the most territory possible.

C) developed a lasting tradition of strong, centralized government.

D) welcomed influences from other cultures.

E) focused on expanding trade.

In which river valleys did the first civilizations on the Eurasian and African continents develop?

(A) Niger, Tigris/ Euphrates, Nile, Indus

(B) Tigris/ Euphrates, Nile, Ganges, Huang He

(C)Nile, Tigris/ Euphrates, Huang He, Indus

(D)Amazon, Huang He, Indus, Yellow

(E) Nile, Amazon, Huang He, Ganges

A major impact of ancient Greece and Rome on western civilization was that

(A) the Greeks and Romans achieved a classless society, which was later copied in Western Europe.

(B) Greek sculpture and Roman architecture were much admired and copied in Western Europe in later centuries.

(C)Greece and Rome transmitted Islamic philosophy to the areas they conquered.

(D)they established empires which lasted longer than their neighbors.

(E) Greek and Latin are still widely spoken in universities throughout the West.

Which statement refers the best to Alexander the Great?

(A) he forced conquered peoples to worship Greek gods and goddesses

(B) he typically ruled through local hierarchies

(C)he saw his empire slowly disintegrate during the last years of his life

(D)he never managed to conquer Egypt

(E) he was amazed by the riches and goods he found in China

The Aryan conquerors brought to India

(A) its first civilization.

(B) distinctive religious ideas.

(C)long-lasting peace and stability.

(D)admiration for India's earlier inhabitants.

(E) new agricultural techniques.

The Hindu concept of samsara is BEST described by which of the following statements?

(A) a belief that the wicked are punished by everlasting torment after death

(B) a belief that one's soul lives, dies, and is reborn many times, until it is pure enough to escape the cycle of rebirth

(C) a doctrine that justifies the caste system of India

(D) a declaration of nonbelief in the old Vedic gods and goddesses

(E) a belief that all actions, good and evil, have consequences in future lives to come

Confucianism is characterized by all of the following beliefs except:

(A) nobility is acquired through virtue, not birth

(B) people should treat others as they themselves would be treated

(C)everyone should carry out his social duties with devotion

(D)government must have the confidence of the people

(E) devotion to one’s family is not as important as devotion to oneself

Which of the following is an accurate description of a cultural characteristic that the Slavs and Germans of northern Europe had in common around 200 C.E.?

(A) These peoples were primarily hunters and gatherers.

(B) The overall political organization of the Slavs and Germans evolved into regional kingdoms.

(C) These cultures lacked all knowledge of metallurgy.

(D) The Celts, Slavs, and Germans were matriarchal.

(E) Their social organization was highly stratified.

33. Which of the following is true about the effects of agriculture on the environment?

(A) In China their irrigation system completely prevented widespread flooding in surrounding areas.

(B) Egypt’s style of irrigation had the most negative impact on its environment.

(C) In Mesopotamia their irrigation systems resulted in decreased salinization of the soil.

(D) Roman agricultural practices had no negative impact on their environment or rule.

(E) Greek population pressures led to great deforestation in Greece and their colonies.

62. Nomadic invaders often had military advantages over the armies of empires because

(A) they had bigger populations.

(B) they had more powerful gods to help them.

(C) they believed they were fighting superior cultures.

(D) they were more skilled as horsemen.

(E) they were more burdened by possessions.

13. What is the most problematic conceptual issue associated with the term “civilization”?

(A) The term has historically been employed to make value judgments of cultures.

(B) By the most common definition, there is no veritable civilization until the Industrial Age.

(C) The definition of civilization contains elements that are not found in societies until after the 19th century.

(D) It identifies early American societies as civilized.

38. Cities differed from Neolithic villages in several principal ways: cities were larger, more complex &

(A) cities served the needs of their inhabitants and the surrounding area.

(B) cities had little contact with other cities outside their region.

(C) cities were less advanced militarily.

(D) cities had populations only in the hundreds.

(E) cities had protective animistic deities.

37. Which of the following statements about technological developments between 8000 BCE & 600 CE is true?

(A) They did not include any developments in agriculture.

(B) They produced no negative environmental results.

(C) They did not create more advanced weapons for warfare.

(D) They did not include any scientific developments.

(E) They did not include writing for all societies.

28. One similarity in the Mesopotamian, Egyptian, ancient Indian (Harappan), and ancient Chinese civilizations was that they each developed

(A) democratic governments.

(B) monotheistic religions.

(C) written language.

(D) pyramids.

45. Which of the following ancient societies was the most secular?

(A) China.

(B) Egypt.

(C) India.

(D) Mesopotamia.

(E) Greece.

10 Which of the following statements is an accurate description of both Buddhism and Hinduism?

(A) The caste system was practiced by both Hinduism and Buddhism.

(B) Neither religion placed importance on the individual's efforts to seek release from rebirth.

(C) Release was a major aspect of the belief system of both Buddhism and Hinduism.

(D) Neither religion taught the importance of karma in determining a person's fate.

31. Which of the following is an accurate statement about Hinduism?

(A) It is animistic, only believing in nature spirits.

(B) It originated in China.

(C) It was founded in 500 CE

(D) It helped create a rigid caste system.

48. The covenant relationship with G-d is central to the beliefs of the first monotheistic religion called

(A) Judaism.

(B) Christianity.

(C) Daoism.

(D) Buddhism.

19. Which of the following belief systems began as a Jewish sect and gained support from the poor and women since it promised salvation to all?

A. Daoism

B. Hinduism

C. Christianity

D. Buddhism

66. In regard to level of toleration and respect for conquered parts of the empire, the Romans were most similar to the

(F) Assyrians.

(G) Greeks.

(H) Persians.

(I) Chinese under Qin Shihuangdi.

(J) Aryans.

42. Which of the following contributed to the spread of Christianity?

(A) The fulfilling rituals of Roman civil religion.

(B) The network of Roman roads and a common language.

(C) Christianity’s tolerance for other faiths.

(D) Constantine’s persecution of Christianity.

(E) Its message of hierarchy was attractive to the rich.

9. All citizens in ancient Athens had the right to attend the assembly, where they could meet in the open to discuss and cast votes. This situation is an example of

(A) republicanism.

(B) direct democracy.

(C) totalitarianism.

(D) absolutism.

53. Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the migrations of Germans and Polynesians?

(A) They differed in what they spread, the Germans spread of pork and taro roots, Polynesians spread wheat

(B) They differed in the impact that they had, the Polynesians did not disrupt major empires while the Germans resulted in the disruption of the Roman Empire

(C) Both migrations were fleeing the advance of the Huns

(D) Both migrations occurred over long distances in the Pacific Ocean.

(E) Neither migration had any political impact.

60. The Mandate of Heaven governed the relationship between the ruler and the ruled in

(A) China.

(B) Japan.

(C) France.

(D) Ghana.

(E) Russia.

20. Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the early River Valley Civilizations and “Classical” / “Axial” Civilizations?

(A) Only River Valley civilizations practiced slavery.

(B) Both experienced the stratification of societies.

(C) Most major belief systems were formed during the time of the early River Valley civilizations.

(D) Developments in astronomy and medicine occurred only during the classical period.

(E) Both experienced only stateless societies.

27. Compared to China, Indian social and economic roles

(A) showed greater interest in technological innovation.

(B) made it easier for a peasant to rise to higher status.

(C) relied on conquest of foreign territories.

(D) also had their roots in belief systems.

(E) also gave less latitude to merchants.

Foundations Era Test – Sample Questions

Which technologies are generally thought to have been acquired by Paleolithic societies?

I. fire

II. stone tools

III. iron

IV. bronze

(F) I

(G) I and II

(H) I, II and III

(I) I, II, and IV

(J) none of the above

The emergence of agriculture, or the Neolithic Revolution, caused all of the following EXCEPT

A) the ability of humans to settle more permanently in one spot.

B) a population explosion.

C) an increase in the specialization of political, economic, and religious functions.

D) the introduction of artistic expression.

E) the disappearance of hunter-gatherer communities.

Women were important contributors to the Agricultural Revolution because they were likely the ones who

(F) traded grains for meat

(G) made tools and containers

(H) gathered edible plants and knew where grains grew

(I) performed essential agricultural tasks such as plowing and irrigation

(J) found that farming required less work and less time

All early agricultural societies:

(A) were traders.

(B) settled in river valleys.

(C) used pictographs as their form of writing.

(D) were polytheistic.

(E) were nomadic.

Metal tools were preferred over wood and stone tools for all of the following reasons EXCEPT

(F) metal hoes & other tools allowed farmers to work the ground more efficiently.

(G) they made superior weapons.

(H) they were easier for ordinary people to produce in mass at home.

(I) they allowed some artisans to become specialists in metal-working who could then trade with the farmers.

(J) they were sharper and more precise.

All of the following are contributions of the river valley civilizations EXCEPT:

(F) the formal divisions of time into a calendar

(G) the wheel

(H) written language

(I) the development of important mathematical concepts such as square roots

(J) monotheistic religions

The Gupta Dynasty was much like the Zhou Dynasty in that

(F)they both used religion to support their political power.

(G) they were both made up of feudal regions with weak central governments

(H) both of them fell to Hun invaders.

(I) both used bureaucrats who specialized in their areas of service to the state

(J) they tended not to trade with other civilizations

To regulate the social life of their empire, the Romans depended on

(F) its world religion

(G) its strictly enforced caste system

(H) its code of laws

(I) its highly efficient bureaucracy

(J) its disciplined army

Compared with a Chinese nobleman, a peasant in classical China differed in all of the following EXCEPT

A) likelihood of literacy.

B) level of wealth.

C) likelihood of belief in a number of gods or spirits of nature.

D) dependence on land as the basic economic resource.

E) daily economic activity.

Roman emperors tried to content the masses by

(F) dividing the great landed estates.

(G) avoiding war.

(H) granting the vote.

(I) abolishing slavery.

(J) organizing food supplies and distribution.

Which of the following societies’ social hierarchies was overall the most constrictive and gave the least room for social mobility?

(F)India.

(G) China.

(H) Persia.

(I) Greece.

(J) Rome.

Which of the following BEST encapsulates Confucian thought?

(A) Political power is given to rulers by the gods; therefore, rulers may treat their people as they please.

(B) Husbands and wives should share the responsibility for family leadership equally.

(C) Social harmony is attained when superiors treat those below them with kindness, while inferiors respect those above them.

(D) Only members of the aristocracy are capable of cultivating the qualities of etiquette and grace.

(E) Society functions best when people are free to realize their individuality.

What is a major similarity between Hinduism and Buddhism?

(F) Both religions support a caste system.

(G) Both religions accept that souls reach spiritual perfection.

(H) Both embrace the Four Noble Truths.

(I) Both follow the Eightfold Path.

(J) These two religions are diametrically opposed

The statuary above was produced in:

(A) ancient Persia.

(B) medieval Europe.

(C) Mughal India.

(D) ancient Greece.

(E) prehistoric France.

The photograph above is an example of:

(A) Incan highland commerce.

(B) Japanese Shinto animism.

(C) Plains tribes shamanism.

(D) Post Columbian colonial influence.

(E) Mayan temple architecture.

"Shape clay into a vessel; It is the space within that makes it useful. . . Therefore benefit comes from what is there; Usefulness from what is not there."

Which religion or belief system is most closely associated with this quote?

F. Confucianism

G. Daoism

H. Legalism

I. Buddhism

J. Hinduism

Which of the following statements would LEAST likely fit in with the ORIGINAL teachings of the Buddha?

(A) All human suffering is caused by desire.

(B) Enlightenment can most effectively be attained by coming to realize the Four Noble Truths and practicing the Eightfold Path.

(C) Enlightenment leads to a moment of awakening and transcendent consciousness known as nirvana.

(D) Enlightenment can most effectively be attained by venerating many gods and bodhisattvas.

(E) none of the above

How did the collapse of Han China most resemble the Roman Empire's loss of its European lands?

(A) Both were later devoured by the Byzantine Empire.

(B) Their leaders began to rely on Buddhism to guide their decision making.

(C) Both fell as a result of depletion of natural resources.

(D) Outside invaders contributed to the collapse of both empires.

(E) Both collapsed due to lack of technological innovation.

In regard to level of toleration and respect for conquered parts of the empire, the Romans were most similar to the

(K)Assyrians.

(L) Greeks.

(M) Persians.

(N) Chinese under Qin Shihuangdi.

(O) Aryans.

The map above shows

(F) Indian Ocean Trading System

(G) The Silk Road

(H) The Han Empire system of roads

(I) The Amber road

(J) Trans-Saharan trade routes.

A major difference between the teachings of Buddhism and Hinduism is

(A) belief in nirvana.

(B) the cycle of rebirth.

(C) the principle of nonviolence.

(D) belief in karma.

(E) belief in castes.

In the classical period, both China and India

A) showed considerable tolerance for different religions.

B) attempted to conquer the most territory possible.

C) developed a lasting tradition of strong, centralized government.

D) welcomed influences from other cultures.

E) focused on expanding trade.

In which river valleys did the first civilizations on the Eurasian and African continents develop?

(F) Niger, Tigris/ Euphrates, Nile, Indus

(G) Tigris/ Euphrates, Nile, Ganges, Huang He

(H) Nile, Tigris/ Euphrates, Huang He, Indus

(I) Amazon, Huang He, Indus, Yellow

(J) Nile, Amazon, Huang He, Ganges

A major impact of ancient Greece and Rome on western civilization was that

(F) the Greeks and Romans achieved a classless society, which was later copied in Western Europe.

(G) Greek sculpture and Roman architecture were much admired and copied in Western Europe in later centuries.

(H) Greece and Rome transmitted Islamic philosophy to the areas they conquered.

(I) they established empires which lasted longer than their neighbors.

(J) Greek and Latin are still widely spoken in universities throughout the West.

Which statement refers the best to Alexander the Great?

(F) he forced conquered peoples to worship Greek gods and goddesses

(G) he typically ruled through local hierarchies

(H) he saw his empire slowly disintegrate during the last years of his life

(I) he never managed to conquer Egypt

(J) he was amazed by the riches and goods he found in China

The Aryan conquerors brought to India

(F) its first civilization.

(G) distinctive religious ideas.

(H) long-lasting peace and stability.

(I) admiration for India's earlier inhabitants.

(J) new agricultural techniques.

The Hindu concept of samsara is BEST described by which of the following statements?

(A) a belief that the wicked are punished by everlasting torment after death

(B) a belief that one's soul lives, dies, and is reborn many times, until it is pure enough to escape the cycle of rebirth

(C) a doctrine that justifies the caste system of India

(D) a declaration of nonbelief in the old Vedic gods and goddesses

(E) a belief that all actions, good and evil, have consequences in future lives to come

Confucianism is characterized by all of the following beliefs except:

(F) nobility is acquired through virtue, not birth

(G) people should treat others as they themselves would be treated

(H) everyone should carry out his social duties with devotion

(I) government must have the confidence of the people

(J) devotion to one’s family is not as important as devotion to oneself

Which of the following is an accurate description of a cultural characteristic that the Slavs and Germans of northern Europe had in common around 200 C.E.?

(A) These peoples were primarily hunters and gatherers.

(B) The overall political organization of the Slavs and Germans evolved into regional kingdoms.

(C) These cultures lacked all knowledge of metallurgy.

(D) The Celts, Slavs, and Germans were matriarchal.

(E) Their social organization was highly stratified.

33. Which of the following is true about the effects of agriculture on the environment?

(F) In China their irrigation system completely prevented widespread flooding in surrounding areas.

(G) Egypt’s style of irrigation had the most negative impact on its environment.

(H) In Mesopotamia their irrigation systems resulted in decreased salinization of the soil.

(I) Roman agricultural practices had no negative impact on their environment or rule.

(J) Greek population pressures led to great deforestation in Greece and their colonies.

62. Nomadic invaders often had military advantages over the armies of empires because

(F) they had bigger populations.

(G) they had more powerful gods to help them.

(H) they believed they were fighting superior cultures.

(I) they were more skilled as horsemen.

(J) they were more burdened by possessions.

13. What is the most problematic conceptual issue associated with the term “civilization”?

(E) The term has historically been employed to make value judgments of cultures.

(F) By the most common definition, there is no veritable civilization until the Industrial Age.

(G) The definition of civilization contains elements that are not found in societies until after the 19th century.

(H) It identifies early American societies as civilized.

38. Cities differed from Neolithic villages in several principal ways: cities were larger, more complex &

(F) cities served the needs of their inhabitants and the surrounding area.

(G) cities had little contact with other cities outside their region.

(H) cities were less advanced militarily.

(I) cities had populations only in the hundreds.

(J) cities had protective animistic deities.

37. Which of the following statements about technological developments between 8000 BCE & 600 CE is true?

(F) They did not include any developments in agriculture.

(G) They produced no negative environmental results.

(H) They did not create more advanced weapons for warfare.

(I) They did not include any scientific developments.

(J) They did not include writing for all societies.

28. One similarity in the Mesopotamian, Egyptian, ancient Indian (Harappan), and ancient Chinese civilizations was that they each developed

(E) democratic governments.

(F) monotheistic religions.

(G) written language.

(H) pyramids.

45. Which of the following ancient societies was the most secular?

(F) China.

(G) Egypt.

(H) India.

(I) Mesopotamia.

(J) Greece.

10 Which of the following statements is an accurate description of both Buddhism and Hinduism?

(A) The caste system was practiced by both Hinduism and Buddhism.

(B) Neither religion placed importance on the individual's efforts to seek release from rebirth.

(C) Release was a major aspect of the belief system of both Buddhism and Hinduism.

(D) Neither religion taught the importance of karma in determining a person's fate.

31. Which of the following is an accurate statement about Hinduism?

(E) It is animistic, only believing in nature spirits.

(F) It originated in China.

(G) It was founded in 500 CE

(H) It helped create a rigid caste system.

48. The covenant relationship with G-d is central to the beliefs of the first monotheistic religion called

(A) Judaism.

(B) Christianity.

(C) Daoism.

(D) Buddhism.

19. Which of the following belief systems began as a Jewish sect and gained support from the poor and women since it promised salvation to all?

E. Daoism

F. Hinduism

G. Christianity

H. Buddhism

66. In regard to level of toleration and respect for conquered parts of the empire, the Romans were most similar to the

(P) Assyrians.

(Q) Greeks.

(R) Persians.

(S) Chinese under Qin Shihuangdi.

(T) Aryans.

42. Which of the following contributed to the spread of Christianity?

(F) The fulfilling rituals of Roman civil religion.

(G) The network of Roman roads and a common language.

(H) Christianity’s tolerance for other faiths.

(I) Constantine’s persecution of Christianity.

(J) Its message of hierarchy was attractive to the rich.

9. All citizens in ancient Athens had the right to attend the assembly, where they could meet in the open to discuss and cast votes. This situation is an example of

(E) republicanism.

(F) direct democracy.

(G) totalitarianism.

(H) absolutism.

53. Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the migrations of Germans and Polynesians?

(F) They differed in what they spread, the Germans spread of pork and taro roots, Polynesians spread wheat

(G) They differed in the impact that they had, the Polynesians did not disrupt major empires while the Germans resulted in the disruption of the Roman Empire

(H) Both migrations were fleeing the advance of the Huns

(I) Both migrations occurred over long distances in the Pacific Ocean.

(J) Neither migration had any political impact.

60. The Mandate of Heaven governed the relationship between the ruler and the ruled in

(A) China.

(B) Japan.

(C) France.

(D) Ghana.

(E) Russia.

20. Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the early River Valley Civilizations and “Classical” / “Axial” Civilizations?

(F) Only River Valley civilizations practiced slavery.

(G) Both experienced the stratification of societies.

(H) Most major belief systems were formed during the time of the early River Valley civilizations.

(I) Developments in astronomy and medicine occurred only during the classical period.

(J) Both experienced only stateless societies.

27. Compared to China, Indian social and economic roles

(F) showed greater interest in technological innovation.

(G) made it easier for a peasant to rise to higher status.

(H) relied on conquest of foreign territories.

(I) also had their roots in belief systems.

(J) also gave less latitude to merchants.

58. The map above shows

1. the spread of Hinduism.
2. the movements of the Indo-Europeans.
3. the Silk Road trade routes.
4. the spread of Buddhism.