Bentley Ch. 1 Before History

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  • 1/25 Questions

    One of the earliest Neolithic settlements was _?_, which was located at a freshwater oasis north of the Dead Sea and had a population of around two thousand.

    • Jericho
    • Altamira
    • Lascaux
    • Jomon
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About This Quiz

Explore the origins and development of early human societies in this quiz titled 'Bentley Ch. 1 Before History'. Cover topics from genetic similarities with apes, the agricultural revolution, to the chronological order of ancient human species. This quiz is essential for understanding fundamental human history and evolution.

Human Evolution Quizzes & Trivia

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  • 2. 

    Most scholars believe that, during the Paleolithic Age, social organization was characterized by

    • A rough social equality

    • A ruling priestly class

    • A dominant class based on the private ownership of land

    • A ruling merchant class

    Correct Answer
    A. A rough social equality
    Explanation
    During the Paleolithic Age, social organization was characterized by a rough social equality. This means that there was no clear distinction or hierarchy among individuals or groups. People lived in small bands or tribes and shared resources and responsibilities fairly equally. There was no ruling priestly, dominant land-owning, or merchant class that held power or authority over others. This is supported by archaeological evidence and the understanding that early human societies were primarily focused on survival and cooperation rather than social stratification.

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  • 3. 

    One of the interpretations of the Cro-Magnon cave paintings is that they represent a variety of sympathetic magic, which is

    • An attempt to cause harm by casting spells

    • An effort to show sympathy for nature's suffering

    • An early form of demon worship

    • An effort to gain control over a subject by capturing its spirit

    Correct Answer
    A. An effort to gain control over a subject by capturing its spirit
    Explanation
    The Cro-Magnon cave paintings are believed to represent an effort to gain control over a subject by capturing its spirit. This interpretation suggests that the paintings were created as a means of harnessing the power or essence of the depicted animals or objects. By capturing the spirit of these subjects, the Cro-Magnon people may have believed that they could exert control or influence over them. This interpretation aligns with the idea of sympathetic magic, where the manipulation of images or objects is believed to affect the corresponding subject in the real world.

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  • 4. 

    It was presumed by historians that women played the catalyst role in specific areas of neolithic life. The two areas were

    • Herding and cooking

    • Pottery and religion

    • Agriculture and textiles

    • Jewelry making and painting

    Correct Answer
    A. Agriculture and textiles
    Explanation
    Historians have presumed that women played a significant role in neolithic life, particularly in the areas of agriculture and textiles. Agriculture was a crucial aspect of neolithic society, as it involved cultivating crops and domesticating animals for food production. Women likely played a central role in farming activities, such as planting and harvesting crops. Textiles, on the other hand, were essential for clothing and other fabric-based necessities. Women were likely responsible for tasks such as spinning and weaving fibers to create textiles. These two areas demonstrate the vital contributions women made to neolithic society's sustenance and material needs.

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  • 5. 

    What was the chief reason that people settled into agricultural communities?

    • They wanted to reduce the amount of work to obtain food

    • They needed to stop nomadic migrations

    • They wanted to be assured of a more regular food source

    • They could build better shelters for protection from the elements

    • It allowed more families to live together

    Correct Answer
    A. They wanted to be assured of a more regular food source
    Explanation
    People settled into agricultural communities because they wanted to be assured of a more regular food source. By transitioning from a nomadic lifestyle to a settled agricultural one, they could cultivate crops and raise livestock, providing a stable and consistent food supply. This allowed them to have a more reliable source of sustenance compared to relying solely on hunting and gathering.

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  • 6. 

    The earliest metal worked systematically by humans by

    • Copper

    • Tin

    • Bronze

    • Iron

    Correct Answer
    A. Copper
    Explanation
    Copper is the correct answer because it was the earliest metal to be worked systematically by humans. It has been used for various purposes such as tools, weapons, and decorative objects for thousands of years. Copper was easily accessible and malleable, making it suitable for shaping and crafting into different forms. Its discovery and utilization marked a significant milestone in human history, leading to advancements in technology and civilization.

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  • 7. 

    Many scholars believe that during the Paleolithic Age, the relationship between the sexes was marked by

    • A female-dominated society based on the importance of gathering edible plants

    • General social equality

    • A male-dominated society based on sheer physical strength

    • A male-dominated society based on the central role of the male sun god

    Correct Answer
    A. General social equality
    Explanation
    During the Paleolithic Age, many scholars believe that the relationship between the sexes was marked by general social equality. This is because during this time, both men and women played important roles in the survival of their communities. Women were responsible for gathering edible plants, while men were responsible for hunting. Both of these activities were essential for the survival of the group, and therefore both genders held equal importance. This suggests that there was a level of social equality between men and women during this period.

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  • 8. 

    In regard to genetic makeup and body chemistry, the difference between humans and apes is

    • None

    • 1 percent

    • 10 percent

    • 50 percent

    • 90 percent

    Correct Answer
    A. 1 percent
    Explanation
    The correct answer is 1 percent. This suggests that humans and apes have a 1 percent difference in terms of their genetic makeup and body chemistry. This implies that the two species are closely related and share a significant amount of similarities in their genetic code and biological processes.

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  • 9. 

    Which of the following statements is NOT true of Homo erectus?

    • They knew how to control fire

    • They developed language skills that enabled them to communicate complex ideas

    • They had brains roughly the same size as those of modern humans

    • They produced cleavers and hand axes

    Correct Answer
    A. They had brains roughly the same size as those of modern humans
    Explanation
    Homo erectus did not have brains roughly the same size as those of modern humans. The brain size of Homo erectus was smaller than that of modern humans.

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  • 10. 

    What made pottery the earliest craft associated with the neolithic period?

    • Clay was easily available in the Middle East

    • Storage baskets had many drawbacks

    • Pots could be artistic as well as functional

    • There had been little need to store food in earlier societies

    Correct Answer
    A. Pots could be artistic as well as functional
    Explanation
    Pots could be artistic as well as functional, which made pottery the earliest craft associated with the neolithic period. This means that people in the neolithic period were not only using pottery for practical purposes such as storing and cooking food, but they also saw the potential for artistic expression in the form of pottery. This combination of functionality and artistic value likely contributed to the popularity and development of pottery during this time.

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  • 11. 

    Although most neolithic peoples domesticated animals for food and clothing, one region never developed a tradition of herding. Which region is this?

    • Europe

    • Africa

    • East Asia

    • North America

    Correct Answer
    A. North America
    Explanation
    North America is the correct answer because unlike Europe, Africa, and East Asia, which all developed a tradition of herding animals for food and clothing during the Neolithic period, North America did not. This suggests that the indigenous peoples of North America did not rely heavily on domesticated animals for their subsistence and instead relied on other means of obtaining food and clothing.

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  • 12. 

    What specifically separates early neolithic lifestyles form paleolithic lifestyles?

    • Use of meat

    • Use of plants

    • Use of clothing

    • Use of shelters

    • Use of fire

    Correct Answer
    A. Use of plants
    Explanation
    The specific factor that distinguishes early Neolithic lifestyles from Paleolithic lifestyles is the use of plants. During the Neolithic period, humans began to cultivate and domesticate plants for food, which led to the development of agriculture and settled communities. In contrast, the Paleolithic period was characterized by hunting and gathering, with a primary reliance on animal food sources. The introduction of plant cultivation marked a significant shift in human behavior and lifestyle during the transition from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic era.

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  • 13. 

    The mastery of agriculture led to a population explosion. From a sparse population of around four million in 10,000 B.C.E., the global figure rose by around 500 B.C.E. to around

    • Ten million

    • Forty million

    • One hundred million

    • Two hundred million

    • Three hundred million

    Correct Answer
    A. One hundred million
    Explanation
    The mastery of agriculture allowed for increased food production, which in turn led to a population explosion. This is evident from the significant increase in global population from four million in 10,000 B.C.E. to one hundred million by around 500 B.C.E.

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  • 14. 

    Jomon was

    • An early variety of hominid

    • A large Neolithic city

    • A nature goddess from the Paleolithic Age

    • A Japanese Paleolithic society that established permanent settlements

    Correct Answer
    A. A Japanese Paleolithic society that established permanent settlements
    Explanation
    The correct answer is a Japanese Paleolithic society that established permanent settlements. Jomon refers to a period in Japanese prehistory, from around 14,000 to 300 BCE, characterized by a specific type of pottery and a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. The Jomon people were known for their advanced pottery techniques and for establishing permanent settlements, making them one of the earliest societies in Japan to do so. They lived during the Paleolithic Age and their settlements played a crucial role in the development of Japanese culture and civilization.

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  • 15. 

    Cities differed from Neolithic villages in two principal ways. First, cities were larger and more complex than Neolithic villages. The second difference was that

    • Cities served the needs of their inhabitants and immediate neighbors

    • Cities decisively influenced the economic, political, and cultural life of large regions

    • Cities were less advanced militarily

    • Cities had populations in the thousands

    Correct Answer
    A. Cities decisively influenced the economic, political, and cultural life of large regions
    Explanation
    Cities differed from Neolithic villages in that they decisively influenced the economic, political, and cultural life of large regions. This means that cities had a significant impact on the surrounding areas, shaping the way people lived, traded, governed, and expressed their culture. Unlike Neolithic villages, which were smaller and more self-contained, cities had a broader reach and played a crucial role in shaping the overall development and dynamics of their regions.

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  • 16. 

    One of the interpretations of the Cro-Magnon cave paintings is that they represent

    • Positive proof of the limited intellectual world of the Cro-Magnons

    • Early worship of the forces of evil

    • A variety of sympathetic magic

    • A complicated, and so far indecipherable, written language

    Correct Answer
    A. A variety of sympathetic magic
    Explanation
    The Cro-Magnon cave paintings are believed to represent a variety of sympathetic magic. Sympathetic magic is a practice where an image or representation of something is used to influence or manipulate the real thing. In this case, the cave paintings may have been created as a way to bring about desired outcomes, such as successful hunts or fertility. The images likely had symbolic meanings and were used as a form of ritual or ceremony. This interpretation suggests that the Cro-Magnons had a complex understanding of their environment and were using art as a means of harnessing and controlling the natural forces around them.

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  • 17. 

    With regard to the origin of specific agricultural practices, it can be said that agriculture

    • Occurred independently in different regions throughout the world

    • Was passed from one group to another throughout the world

    • Developed at the same time in different regions

    • Was a side effect of intensified trade relationships in cities

    • Was shared by the originators when they migrated to distant regions

    Correct Answer
    A. Occurred independently in different regions throughout the world
    Explanation
    The correct answer suggests that agriculture occurred independently in different regions throughout the world. This means that different groups or civilizations developed agricultural practices on their own, without being influenced or taught by others. This is supported by archaeological evidence that shows the emergence of agriculture in multiple regions at different times, indicating independent origins.

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  • 18. 

    The term "prehistory" refers to the period before

    • Writing

    • The first hominid

    • 1000 B.C.E.

    • The work of the Greek historian Herodotus

    Correct Answer
    A. Writing
    Explanation
    The term "prehistory" refers to the period before the invention of writing. This means it encompasses the time before humans developed a system of recording information through written language. Prehistory includes the early stages of human existence, where communication and historical events were passed down through oral traditions and cave paintings. It is a significant period in understanding human evolution and the development of early civilizations.

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  • 19. 

    Instead of the potentially misleading term "agricultural revolution", many anthropologists prefer the term

    • Agricultural leap

    • Agricultural infrastructure

    • Agricultural explosion

    • Agricultural transition

    Correct Answer
    A. Agricultural transition
    Explanation
    The term "agricultural transition" is preferred by many anthropologists instead of "agricultural revolution" because it better reflects the gradual and complex process of transitioning from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural societies. The term "revolution" implies a sudden and drastic change, whereas "transition" acknowledges that the shift to agriculture was a gradual and multifaceted development that took place over a long period of time.

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  • 20. 

    As early as five million years ago, which of the following flourished in east Africa?

    • Homo sapiens sapiens

    • Homo erectus

    • Neandertal

    • Australopithecus

    Correct Answer
    A. Australopithecus
    Explanation
    Australopithecus flourished in east Africa as early as five million years ago. Australopithecus is an extinct genus of hominins that lived during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs. They are considered to be the ancestors of the Homo genus, which includes Homo sapiens sapiens (modern humans). Homo erectus and Neandertal are also hominin species, but they appeared later in human evolution.

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  • 21. 

    Which of the following choices is in correct chronological order?

    • Neandertal, Cro-Magnon, Homo sapiens, Homo sapiens sapiens

    • Australopithecus, Homo sapiens, Homo erectus, Neandertal

    • Australopithecus, Homo erectus, Neandertal, Cro-Magnon

    • Australopithecus, Homo erectus, Cro-Magnon, Neandertal

    Correct Answer
    A. Australopithecus, Homo erectus, Neandertal, Cro-Magnon
  • 22. 

    The first evidence of social stratification appears in

    • Cave paintings

    • House sites and graves

    • Sculpture

    • Early writings

    Correct Answer
    A. House sites and graves
    Explanation
    The correct answer is house sites and graves. This is because house sites and graves provide evidence of social stratification by indicating the presence of different types of dwellings and burial practices. The presence of larger and more elaborate houses and graves suggests a hierarchical society where individuals had different levels of wealth and status. This evidence helps archaeologists understand how social inequality developed and evolved in early human societies.

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  • 23. 

    Modern human beings arrived about

    • One million years ago

    • Five hundred thousand years ago

    • One hundred thousand years ago

    • Eight thousand years ago

    • Forty thousand years ago

    Correct Answer
    A. Forty thousand years ago
    Explanation
    Modern human beings arrived on Earth approximately forty thousand years ago. This is supported by archaeological evidence, such as the discovery of ancient human remains and artifacts, as well as genetic studies that trace the origins of modern humans to this time period. These findings indicate that Homo sapiens, the species to which modern humans belong, emerged in Africa and gradually spread to other parts of the world. The arrival of modern humans marked a significant milestone in human evolution, as it led to the development of complex societies, cultures, and technologies.

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  • 24. 

    The first human beings of the fully modern type were the

    • Neandertal

    • Homo erectus

    • Cro-Magnon

    • Australopithecus

    Correct Answer
    A. Cro-Magnon
    Explanation
    Cro-Magnon is the correct answer because they were the first human beings of the fully modern type. They lived in Europe between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago and are known for their advanced tools, art, and burial practices. Cro-Magnons were anatomically similar to modern humans and had a larger brain capacity compared to Neanderthals and Australopithecus. They were the first humans to exhibit behaviors and characteristics that are similar to present-day humans, making them the earliest example of Homo sapiens in the fossil record.

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  • 25. 

    The most successful neolithic farming communities began to increase their trade and subsequently

    • Merged peacefully with neighboring communities

    • Conquered their neighbors creating large kingdoms

    • Attracted more people

    • Practiced more trade than agriculture

    Correct Answer
    A. Practiced more trade than agriculture
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "practiced more trade than agriculture." This means that these successful neolithic farming communities focused more on trading goods with other communities rather than solely relying on agriculture for their sustenance. This suggests that they had developed a strong economic system and had the ability to produce surplus goods that they could exchange with neighboring communities. This emphasis on trade likely allowed them to expand their influence and create peaceful alliances with other communities, leading to their success.

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 17, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Aug 22, 2012
    Quiz Created by
    Mrscindytong
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