5th - Circles, Squares, And Daggers

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  • 1/15 Questions

    How did early Native Americans use the skies?

    • Early Native Americans used the skies as a way to help them located food.
    • Early Native Americans used the skies as a kind of calendar.
    • Early Native Americans used the skies as a story map.
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5th - Circles, Squares, And Daggers - Quiz
About This Quiz

Explore the intersection of astronomy and Native American cultural practices in '5th - Circles, Squares, and Daggers'. Learn how celestial events influenced agricultural and ceremonial life, enhancing your understanding of historical astronomy and indigenous knowledge.

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  • 2. 

    Which word is in the same category as solstice?

    • Apache

    • Equinox

    • Dagger

    Correct Answer
    A. Equinox
    Explanation
    Solstice and equinox are both terms related to astronomy and the Earth's position in relation to the sun. Solstice refers to the two points in the year when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky, resulting in the longest or shortest day of the year. Equinox, on the other hand, refers to the two points in the year when day and night are of equal length. Apache and dagger do not belong to the same category as solstice and equinox as they are unrelated terms.

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  • 3. 

    How did the early Native Americans know when to plant their crops?

    • They knew when to plant their crops through important solar events such as solstices and equinoxes.

    • They knew when to plant their crops through important solar events such as constellations and solar flares.

    • They knew when to plant their crops by understanding what the constellations meant.

    Correct Answer
    A. They knew when to plant their crops through important solar events such as solstices and equinoxes.
    Explanation
    Early Native Americans knew when to plant their crops through important solar events such as solstices and equinoxes. These events marked significant changes in the seasons and provided valuable information about the optimal time for planting. By observing the position of the sun and understanding its relationship with the Earth, they were able to determine the appropriate timing for agricultural activities. This knowledge was crucial for their survival and successful cultivation of crops.

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  • 4. 

    What were the Native Americans' ceremonies mainly concerned with?

    • The ceremonies were mainly concerned with celebrating the return of conquering heroes.

    • The ceremonies were mainly concerned with using the constellations to help find proper mates for those that were not married.

    • The ceremonies were mainly concerned with the "return" of the sun and the start of a new year, and with planting, harvesting, and hunting.

    Correct Answer
    A. The ceremonies were mainly concerned with the "return" of the sun and the start of a new year, and with planting, harvesting, and hunting.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is that the Native Americans' ceremonies were mainly concerned with the "return" of the sun and the start of a new year, and with planting, harvesting, and hunting. This suggests that the ceremonies were deeply rooted in their agricultural practices and the cycle of seasons. They celebrated the renewal of life and the abundance of the land through these ceremonies, which were closely tied to their survival and sustenance.

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  • 5. 

    What is the main idea of this story?

    • Native Americans had different ways of observing the heavens.

    • The Bighorn Mountains are a good place to observe the sky.

    • The Anaza created Chaco Canyon in New Mexico

    Correct Answer
    A. Native Americans had different ways of observing the heavens.
    Explanation
    The main idea of this story is that Native Americans had different ways of observing the heavens. This suggests that they had unique cultural practices and beliefs surrounding astronomy, which could include star mapping, celestial navigation, or religious rituals tied to celestial events. The story does not focus on the Bighorn Mountains or the creation of Chaco Canyon, so these options are not the main idea.

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  • 6. 

    All over the Southwest there are many such figures called petroglyphs,  cut in the rock. A petroglyph is

    • A fossil of a plant found in a rock

    • A drawing or carving on rock

    • A steep and rocky desert cliff

    Correct Answer
    A. A drawing or carving on rock
    Explanation
    The correct answer is a drawing or carving on rock. Petroglyphs are ancient drawings or carvings that are found on rocks in the Southwest. They are a form of rock art created by indigenous peoples, depicting various symbols, animals, or scenes. These petroglyphs provide valuable insights into the culture, beliefs, and history of the people who created them. They are an important archaeological and cultural resource, allowing us to study and understand the past civilizations that inhabited the region.

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  • 7. 

    Pairs of small stones pointed to the bright stars that shone briefly on the horizon. The horizon is

    • Where the earth meets the sky

    • Where a mountain becomes level

    • Where the sun is at noon

    Correct Answer
    A. Where the earth meets the sky
    Explanation
    The horizon refers to the line where the earth's surface appears to meet the sky. It is the apparent boundary between the two, where the ground and the sky visually come together. In this context, the small stones are pointing towards the bright stars that briefly appear on the horizon, indicating that they are pointing towards the point where the earth meets the sky.

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  • 8. 

    The Moose Mountain Medicine Wheel was discovered in

    • Saskatchewan, Canada

    • Cahokia, Illinois

    • Chaco Canyon, New Mexico

    Correct Answer
    A. Saskatchewan, Canada
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Saskatchewan, Canada. The Moose Mountain Medicine Wheel was discovered in Saskatchewan, Canada. This suggests that the location of the medicine wheel is in Saskatchewan, Canada.

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  • 9. 

    Carbon dating was used at the Moose Mountain Medicine Wheel site. Carbon dating is used to determine

    • How useful something is

    • How old something is

    • How bright something is

    Correct Answer
    A. How old something is
    Explanation
    Carbon dating is a scientific method used to determine the age of organic materials. It relies on the measurement of the amount of carbon-14, a radioactive isotope of carbon, present in the sample. As carbon-14 decays over time, by measuring its remaining amount, scientists can estimate the age of the sample. In the context of the Moose Mountain Medicine Wheel site, carbon dating was used to determine the age of the materials found at the site, providing insights into the history and chronology of the site.

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  • 10. 

    Native Americans made astronomical observatories long before the Europeans arrived in North America. Astronomical observatories were

    • Holy areas that were made by nature

    • Tall towers used as enemy lookouts

    • Places used for observing the skies

    Correct Answer
    A. Places used for observing the skies
    Explanation
    Native Americans made astronomical observatories long before the Europeans arrived in North America. These observatories were places used for observing the skies. They were likely constructed to study celestial bodies such as the sun, moon, and stars, and to track astronomical events such as solstices and equinoxes. These observatories demonstrate the advanced knowledge and understanding of astronomy that Native Americans possessed.

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  • 11. 

    For the early Native Americans, astronomy had

    • A mostly playful side

    • Only ceremonial importance

    • Deep religious meaning

    Correct Answer
    A. Deep religious meaning
    Explanation
    The early Native Americans viewed astronomy as having deep religious meaning. They believed that celestial bodies and their movements were connected to their spiritual beliefs and practices. They used astronomy to understand and interpret the world around them, including predicting the seasons, determining the best times for hunting and planting, and connecting with their gods and ancestors. Astronomy played a crucial role in their rituals, ceremonies, and mythologies, shaping their cultural and spiritual beliefs.

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  • 12. 

    How did the observatories strengthen the power of chiefs and leaders?

    • The observatories strengthened leaders' power because the leaders were probably the only ones who knew how to use the observatories.

    • The observatories strengthened leaders' power because the leaders were the ones that told the stories.

    • The observatories strengthened leaders' power because the leaders were able to gain strength from the skies.

    Correct Answer
    A. The observatories strengthened leaders' power because the leaders were probably the only ones who knew how to use the observatories.
    Explanation
    The correct answer suggests that the observatories strengthened leaders' power because they were probably the only ones who knew how to use them. This implies that the leaders had exclusive access to the knowledge and information obtained from the observatories, giving them an advantage over others. By possessing this specialized knowledge, leaders could exert control, influence, and authority over their communities, further consolidating their power.

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  • 13. 

    Archaeoastronomy is

    • The study of the supernatural

    • The study of the ancient stars

    • The study of ancient observatories

    Correct Answer
    A. The study of ancient observatories
    Explanation
    Archaeoastronomy is the study of ancient observatories. This field of study focuses on examining the relationship between ancient civilizations and celestial phenomena, such as the alignment of structures with astronomical events or the use of observatories for religious or cultural purposes. By studying ancient observatories, archaeoastronomers can gain insights into the astronomical knowledge, practices, and beliefs of past societies.

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  • 14. 

    How were the sun's rays used to mark time for early Native Americans?

    • The sun's rays would line up in a certain way, telling the early Native Americans that they were nearing an important time.

    • The sun's rays would cast a shadow on a tree telling the early Native Americans what time it was.

    • The sun would rise above the horizon, letting the early Native Americans know what time it was.

    Correct Answer
    A. The sun's rays would line up in a certain way, telling the early Native Americans that they were nearing an important time.
    Explanation
    The correct answer states that the sun's rays would line up in a certain way, indicating to the early Native Americans that they were nearing an important time. This suggests that the early Native Americans used the position of the sun's rays as a form of timekeeping, possibly to mark significant events or activities in their daily lives. By observing the alignment of the sun's rays, they could anticipate and prepare for these important moments.

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  • 15. 

    How does the sun mark the solstices and equinoxes at Hovenweep Castle?

    • At sunset, the rays of the sun enter through the door, shines through the room, and is captured on the ceiling.

    • At sunrise, the sun's rays enters the small holes though the window and strikes the wall on the other side.

    • At sunset, the sun's rays enter small holes and a door, shine through the room, and strike doorways in the inside walls.

    Correct Answer
    A. At sunset, the sun's rays enter small holes and a door, shine through the room, and strike doorways in the inside walls.
    Explanation
    The sun marks the solstices and equinoxes at Hovenweep Castle by entering small holes and a door, shining through the room, and striking doorways in the inside walls at sunset. This alignment of the sun's rays with the doorways in the inside walls is a way to track the changing seasons and mark important astronomical events such as the solstices and equinoxes.

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Mar 21, 2023 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Mar 21, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Oct 01, 2012
    Quiz Created by
    Mriley100
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