Ancient Civilizations Quiz: Trivia Test!

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Ancient civilizations quiz: trivia test! One of the first known civilizations in the Mesopotamian and Indus valley civilization. These people’s lives grew because they situated themselves close to rivers which ensured they could grow their food and had a means of transport for trade too. Do you know the different religion civilizations practised and what they produced in large amounts? This quiz will refresh your memory, be sure to give it a try!

Ancient Civilizations Quiz: Trivia Test! - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    What were the pyramids used for?

    • National monuments for Egyptians

    • Storage for crops

    • Tombs for the pharaohs

    • Housing for slaves

    Correct Answer
    A. Tombs for the pharaohs
    Explanation
    The pyramids were used as tombs for the pharaohs. These massive structures were built to house the bodies of the Egyptian rulers after their death. The pharaohs believed in the afterlife and wanted to ensure their eternal rest and preservation. The pyramids were constructed with intricate passageways, chambers, and burial chambers to accommodate the pharaoh's body and belongings. They were also designed to be grand and imposing, serving as a symbol of the pharaoh's power and divine status.

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  • 3. 

    Polytheism is a belief in one god.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Polytheism is actually a belief in multiple gods, rather than just one god. This belief system is commonly found in various ancient cultures and religions, where multiple deities are worshipped and revered. It stands in contrast to monotheism, which is the belief in a single god. Therefore, the statement that polytheism is a belief in one god is incorrect.

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  • 4. 

    Which of the following is a difference between the ancient Olympics and the Olympics today?

    • Ancient Olympics were held to honor the gods; modern Olympics are solely an athletic competition

    • Ancient Olympics were held as a competition between polis; today all countries are friendly and don't compete in this same way

    • Ancient and modern Olympics were held to honor the gods

    • Ancient Olympics didn't have winners and losers; today athletes compete for the gold medal

    Correct Answer
    A. Ancient Olympics were held to honor the gods; modern Olympics are solely an athletic competition
    Explanation
    The ancient Olympics were held as a way to honor the gods, while the modern Olympics are solely focused on athletic competition. In ancient times, the Olympics were seen as a religious event and were dedicated to the Greek god Zeus. The competitions were held as a form of worship and to demonstrate physical prowess in honor of the gods. In contrast, the modern Olympics have evolved into a global sporting event where athletes from different countries compete against each other purely for athletic achievement and to win medals. The religious aspect of the ancient Olympics is no longer present in the modern Games.

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  • 5. 

    In the gold-salt trade of West Africa, Ghana supplied the gold and North Africa supplied the salt.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    The statement is true because in the gold-salt trade of West Africa, Ghana was known for its abundant gold resources, while North Africa, particularly the Sahara region, had vast salt deposits. This trade network allowed Ghana to trade its gold for the much-needed salt from North Africa, creating a mutually beneficial economic exchange between the two regions.

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  • 6. 

    What is the main purpose of written language?

    • Without it, we cannot communicate

    • To provide the deaf with alternative methods of communication

    • To keep records and histories

    • To be able to talk to each other

    Correct Answer
    A. To keep records and histories
    Explanation
    The main purpose of written language is to keep records and histories. This means that through writing, information can be documented and preserved for future reference. Writing allows us to record events, ideas, and knowledge, ensuring that they are not lost over time. It also enables us to study and learn from the past, as historical records provide valuable insights into human civilization and culture. Additionally, writing facilitates the transmission of information across generations, allowing us to build upon the knowledge and achievements of our predecessors.

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  • 7. 

    Greece was a monotheistic society.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    The statement "Greece was a monotheistic society" is incorrect. Ancient Greece was a polytheistic society, meaning they believed in and worshipped multiple gods and goddesses. The Greek pantheon consisted of various deities, each with their own domain and powers. Some of the most well-known gods and goddesses in Greek mythology include Zeus, Athena, Apollo, and Aphrodite. Therefore, the correct answer is False.

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  • 8. 

    _______ were early people who moved from place to place, usually following animal herds.

    Correct Answer
    nomads
    Explanation
    Nomads were early people who moved from place to place, usually following animal herds. They did not settle in one location and instead relied on hunting and gathering for survival. This lifestyle allowed them to adapt to different environments and take advantage of available resources. Nomadic communities were highly mobile, setting up temporary camps and constantly moving in search of food and water. This lifestyle was common among early human societies before the development of agriculture and permanent settlements.

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  • 9. 

    What is monotheism, and which ancient civilization had many citizens who followed a monotheistic religion?

    • Belief in one god; Egypt

    • Belief in one god; Ghana

    • Belief in many gods; Egypt

    • Belief in many gods; Mali

    Correct Answer
    A. Belief in one god; Ghana
    Explanation
    Monotheism refers to the belief in one god. The ancient civilization that had many citizens who followed a monotheistic religion was Ghana.

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  • 10. 

    What Roman invention carried water from a lake into a city?

    Correct Answer
    aqueduct
    Explanation
    The Roman invention that carried water from a lake into a city is an aqueduct. Aqueducts were engineered structures that transported water over long distances using gravity. They consisted of a series of arches or channels that allowed water to flow from higher elevations to lower elevations, ensuring a steady water supply to the city. The Romans were known for their advanced engineering skills, and aqueducts were a vital part of their infrastructure, providing water for drinking, bathing, and irrigation purposes.

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  • 11. 

    Which of these are the 5 themes of geography?

    • Location

    • Place

    • Latitude

    • Society

    • Movement

    • Human-environment interaction

    • Culture

    • Region

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. Location
    A. Place
    A. Movement
    A. Human-environment interaction
    A. Region
    Explanation
    The correct answer is location, place, movement, human-environment interaction, and region. These five themes of geography are key concepts that help us understand and analyze different aspects of the Earth's surface. Location refers to where something is on the Earth's surface, while place refers to the physical and human characteristics of a location. Movement focuses on the transportation of people, goods, and ideas across the Earth. Human-environment interaction examines how humans interact with and impact the natural environment. Region refers to areas that share common characteristics, such as language, culture, or physical features.

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  • 12. 

    What is another name for Mesopotamia, or the civilizations that grew in this area between two rivers?

    Correct Answer(s)
    Fertile Crescent
    Explanation
    Mesopotamia, or the civilizations that grew in this area between two rivers, is also known as the Fertile Crescent. The Fertile Crescent refers to a region in the Middle East that stretches from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea, encompassing the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This region was called the Fertile Crescent because of its fertile soil, which allowed for the development of agriculture and the growth of early civilizations such as Sumer, Babylon, and Assyria.

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  • 13. 

    Why did people stop moving around and choose to settle by rivers? 

    • They built farms

    • Hunter-gatherer way of life was risky; you might not always find food

    • People found ways to domesticate animals

    • People became more tired more quickly and stopped moving

    • To irrigate their crops

    • To make sure their animals had enough water, then they could hunt them

    • The yearly floods made the soil fertile

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. They built farms
    A. Hunter-gatherer way of life was risky; you might not always find food
    A. People found ways to domesticate animals
    A. To irrigate their crops
    A. The yearly floods made the soil fertile
    Explanation
    People stopped moving around and chose to settle by rivers because they built farms, which provided a more stable and reliable source of food compared to the risky hunter-gatherer way of life where food availability was uncertain. Additionally, people found ways to domesticate animals, which further supported their settled lifestyle. Settling by rivers also allowed them to irrigate their crops, ensuring their agricultural activities were successful. Moreover, the yearly floods of the rivers made the soil fertile, making it suitable for farming and enhancing agricultural productivity.

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  • 14. 

    _________________________ was the first set of written laws that we have from ancient civilizations. They were written by a king of Babylon, and included such punishments as an "eye for an eye."

    Correct Answer(s)
    Hammurabi's Code
    Explanation
    Hammurabi's Code is the correct answer because it was the first set of written laws that we have from ancient civilizations. These laws were written by a king of Babylon, Hammurabi himself, and they included the concept of "an eye for an eye" as a punishment. This code provided a comprehensive set of rules and regulations that governed various aspects of Babylonian society, including trade, property rights, and family law. It was a significant development in legal history and has had a lasting impact on the development of legal systems worldwide.

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  • 15. 

    Why did Egyptians mummify bodies? 

    • So the ka (spirit) could go on to the afterlife

    • To follow the instructions in the Book of the Dead

    • To provide the ka with everything they needed for the next world

    • In order to be resurrected, their bodies first had to be perfected through mummification

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. So the ka (spirit) could go on to the afterlife
    A. To follow the instructions in the Book of the Dead
    A. To provide the ka with everything they needed for the next world
    Explanation
    The ancient Egyptians mummified bodies in order to ensure that the ka (spirit) could continue on to the afterlife. Mummification was believed to preserve the body so that the ka could recognize it and reunite with it in the afterlife. Additionally, the Egyptians believed that the deceased needed to follow the instructions in the Book of the Dead and be provided with all the necessary items and provisions for their journey to the next world. Therefore, mummification was seen as a way to prepare the body and provide for the ka in the afterlife.

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  • 16. 

    When people settled by rivers and began farming, they had extra time. They were able to start making things and trading each other for goods. What is the concept in which everyone works at one job and becomes good at making one specific item, and trades for whatever they don't have?

    Correct Answer(s)
    specialization of labor
    Explanation
    When people settled by rivers and began farming, they had extra time which allowed them to start making things and trading with each other. The concept in which everyone works at one job and becomes good at making one specific item, and trades for whatever they don't have is called specialization of labor. This means that individuals focus on developing expertise in a particular skill or trade, which increases efficiency and productivity. By specializing in a specific task, people can produce more goods or services, and then exchange them with others who specialize in different tasks, creating a system of trade and interdependence.

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  • 17. 

    How could the emperor use the Colosseum as a political tool?

    • He chose who lived and who died

    • He chose which animals and people fought when and how

    • He chose what events occurred in the Colosseum

    • He had prime seating- all viewers could see him from their seat

    • He was able to control when and how the people viewed him

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. He chose who lived and who died
    A. He chose what events occurred in the Colosseum
    A. He had prime seating- all viewers could see him from their seat
    A. He was able to control when and how the people viewed him
    Explanation
    The emperor could use the Colosseum as a political tool by having the power to decide who lived and who died, which would demonstrate his authority and control over life and death. Additionally, by choosing what events occurred in the Colosseum, he could shape the narrative and create spectacles that would impress and entertain the people, further solidifying his power. Having prime seating that allowed all viewers to see him from their seats would enhance his visibility and presence, while also emphasizing his status as the ruler. Finally, by controlling when and how the people viewed him, the emperor could manipulate public perception and maintain a carefully crafted image of power and authority.

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 21, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Sep 17, 2012
    Quiz Created by
    Offthemainland
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