AP World History Practice Test! Are You Ready?

Cyris the Great and the religion of Zoroastrianism were both associated with the Persian civilization. Cyris the Great was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire in Persia, and Zoroastrianism was the dominant religion in Persia during that time. Persia was a powerful and influential civilization in ancient times, known for its vast empire and cultural contributions.

As Christianity grew in Europe during the declining days of the Roman Empire, Buddhism surged into a declining classical China. Buddhism originated in India and spread to China through the Silk Road trade route. It gained popularity in China due to its teachings of compassion, meditation, and the pursuit of enlightenment. Buddhism offered an alternative to the traditional Chinese religions and philosophies, attracting many followers during this period of political and social instability in China.

The Greeks specialized more in scientific thought compared to the later Romans. This can be seen through their contributions in various fields such as mathematics, physics, astronomy, and medicine. Greek philosophers like Pythagoras, Aristotle, and Euclid made significant advancements in these areas, laying the foundation for future scientific discoveries. In contrast, the Romans were known for their engineering and architectural achievements, such as the construction of aqueducts and roads. However, their focus was more on practical applications rather than theoretical scientific pursuits.

Hellenistic culture gets its name from the synthesis of Middle Eastern culture and Greek culture. This is because after the conquests of Alexander the Great, Greek culture spread throughout the Middle East and merged with local traditions and customs, creating a new and distinct cultural identity known as Hellenistic culture. The influence of Greek language, art, philosophy, and political systems can be seen in various aspects of Hellenistic culture, making Greek the correct answer.

The Greeks are often characterized by their original, innovative, and realistic sculptures, which were highly valued in their society. This artistic expression was a significant aspect of Greek culture and is often considered one of their greatest contributions to the art world. While the Romans also had an interest in engineering and road building, it is the Greeks' sculptures that truly set them apart and are more closely associated with their civilization. The use of domes in construction is a characteristic more commonly associated with Roman architecture rather than Greek culture.

Greeks and later Romans needed grain from their colonies such as Sicily and North Africa. These colonies were important sources of agricultural production, and grain was a staple food in the ancient Mediterranean. The colonies provided a steady supply of grain to feed the growing populations in Greece and Rome.

Aristocracy is the correct answer because it comes from the Greek words "aristos" meaning "best" and "kratos" meaning "rule." Therefore, it refers to a system of government where power is held by the upper class or nobility, who are considered to be the best or most qualified to rule.

Axum and Kush are ancient civilizations that were located in Africa. Axum was a powerful kingdom that existed in what is now modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea. It was known for its trade and its adoption of Christianity as a state religion. Kush, on the other hand, was an ancient kingdom located in what is now Sudan. It was a major center of trade and had strong cultural ties to ancient Egypt. Both Axum and Kush were significant civilizations in Africa's history, making Africa the correct answer.

The Olmecs are considered to be the oldest civilization in the Americas. They were an ancient Mesoamerican civilization that thrived between 1500 BCE and 400 BCE in what is now modern-day Mexico. The Olmecs are known for their advanced agricultural practices, complex social structure, and monumental architecture. They also had a significant influence on later civilizations in the region, such as the Mayas and Aztecs.

The most characteristic feature of Greco-Roman religion was a rather human and of-this-world approach. Unlike other religions that focused on the divine and the afterlife, Greco-Roman religion emphasized the importance of human beings and their experiences in the present world. The gods and goddesses of this religion were portrayed as having human-like qualities and emotions, and they were believed to intervene in human affairs. This approach made the religion more relatable and accessible to the people, as it acknowledged and celebrated the human experience.

The Yellow Turbans were a Chinese Taoist sect that emerged during the late Han dynasty in the 2nd century. They were known for their distinctive yellow headbands, which symbolized their rebellion against the corrupt ruling class. The Yellow Turbans aimed to establish a utopian society based on egalitarian principles and the teachings of their leader, Zhang Jue. They gained a significant following among the peasants and lower classes in China, leading to widespread unrest and rebellion. Therefore, the correct answer is China.

Muslims believe that the Quran was revealed to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. Gabriel is considered to be a messenger of God and is believed to have delivered the divine revelations to Muhammad over a period of 23 years. This belief is based on the accounts and teachings found in Islamic scriptures, which describe Gabriel's role as the intermediary between God and Muhammad.

The two early American civilizations did not have the iron making ability that the big 3 classic civilizations had. This means that they did not possess the knowledge and technology to extract and manipulate iron ore to create tools and weapons. Iron making ability was a significant advancement in metallurgy that allowed for the production of stronger and more durable tools, giving the big 3 classic civilizations an advantage in warfare, agriculture, and trade.

Both the Parthian and Sassanid Empires served as bridges between the Mediterranean world and the East. This means that they acted as intermediaries and facilitated trade, cultural exchange, and communication between these two regions. This characteristic is significant because it highlights the geopolitical importance of these empires in connecting different civilizations and fostering interactions between them.

The Umayyad Muslims continued to rule their empire that stretched from Spain in Europe to the steppes of central Asia. This is because the Umayyad Caliphate, which was established in 661 CE, expanded its territory through conquests and maintained control over various regions, including Spain. The Umayyads were able to establish a strong presence in Spain, known as Al-Andalus, and ruled over this region for several centuries.

The Greco-Roman classical society lagged behind the other two, Indian and Chinese, in developing practical production technology. This can be attributed to several factors such as the emphasis on philosophical and intellectual pursuits in Greco-Roman society, which diverted attention and resources away from technological advancements. Additionally, the Indian and Chinese societies had a long history of trade and commerce, which necessitated the development of practical production technology for economic growth.

Sati is a practice in India where a widow is expected to self-immolate on her husband's funeral pyre. This practice indicates that women were still considered inferior to men in Indian society, as it suggests that a woman's worth and identity were tied solely to her husband, and that her life was considered expendable after his death.

The Ka'ba was one of the most revered religious shrines in Pre-Islamic Arabia. It is a sacred building located in Mecca and is considered the holiest site in Islam. It is believed to have been built by the prophet Ibrahim and is the focal point for Muslim pilgrims during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The Ka'ba is a symbol of unity for Muslims worldwide and holds significant religious and historical importance.

Buddhism taught that women had souls like men. This teaching should have weakened patriarchy in China because it challenged the belief that women were inferior to men. If women were considered to have equal spiritual worth as men, it would have undermined the patriarchal system that placed men in positions of power and authority. However, despite this teaching, patriarchy persisted in China, suggesting that other cultural, social, or political factors may have played a role in maintaining gender inequality.

After the Peloponnesian Wars, both Athens and Sparta were weakened and depleted. This power vacuum allowed Macedon to invade and conquer Greece. Macedon, under the leadership of Philip II and later his son Alexander the Great, took advantage of the weakened Greek city-states and established Macedonian dominance over Greece.

Ptolemy is the correct answer because he produced an elaborate theory of the sun's motion around a stationary earth. Ptolemy's geocentric model, known as the Ptolemaic system, was widely accepted for centuries and explained the apparent motion of celestial bodies, including the sun, by using a complex system of epicycles and deferents. This theory was eventually replaced by the heliocentric model proposed by Copernicus.

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In bedouin society, women had a higher status and greater freedom compared to women in neighboring civilizations. This suggests that women in bedouin society enjoyed more rights and autonomy, indicating a more favorable position for women in their community.

Buddhism has never dominated a whole civilization. While it has had significant influence in countries like India, China, and Japan, it has never been the sole dominant religion or philosophy in any civilization. Hinduism, Christianity, Confucianism, and Islam, on the other hand, have all been dominant in various civilizations throughout history.

The correct answer is Cicero. The long quotation in the document titled "Rome and a Values Crisis" was written by Cicero.

The book states that besides religion, commerce is the other "engine of change in the postclassical period". This implies that commerce played a significant role in driving change during this time. It suggests that economic activities, trade networks, and the growth of markets had a profound impact on societies, leading to transformations in various aspects such as culture, politics, and social structures. The expansion of trade routes, the rise of merchant classes, and the exchange of goods and ideas across different regions were all factors that contributed to the changing dynamics of the postclassical period.

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The reading mentioned that nomads helped to spread Islam, saddles, papermaking, and the plague from one civilization to another. However, there was no mention of nomads spreading Confucianism.

Minarets were used to call Muslims to community prayers. Minarets are tall towers typically found in mosques, from where the call to prayer (adhan) is traditionally made. The muezzin, a designated person, would climb to the top of the minaret and recite the adhan, signaling the time for prayer to the surrounding community. This practice has been followed for centuries and is still observed in many Muslim countries today.

Thomas is believed to have traveled to India and established churches in the first century AD according to various ancient accounts and traditions. These accounts suggest that Thomas preached and performed miracles in different parts of India, eventually being martyred there. The existence of ancient Christian communities in India, particularly in Kerala, further supports the belief that Thomas visited and established churches in the region.