AP World History Quarter I Test Review
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The Aryan conquerors brought to India
- its first civilization
- distinctive religious ideas
- long-lasting peace and stability
- admiration for India’s earlier inhabitants
- new agricultural techniques
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About This Quiz
This AP World History Quarter I Review assesses knowledge of ancient civilizations, human origins, and historical perspectives. It emphasizes critical thinking about historical narratives and the development of early human societies.
Quiz Preview
- 2.
Which statement about early humans do most scholars today agree is accurate?
- Humans originated in Asia, then spread to Africa.
- Humans originated in Africa, then migrated to the other continents.
- Antarctica was inhabited by early hominids.
- Humans appeared simultaneously throughout the world
- none of the above.
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A. BExplanation
Most scholars today agree that humans originated in Africa and then migrated to other continents. This theory is supported by fossil and genetic evidence, which shows that the oldest human fossils and the greatest genetic diversity are found in Africa. Additionally, archaeological evidence suggests that early humans gradually spread from Africa to other parts of the world over time.Rate this question:
- 3.
The African proverb, “Until the lions have their historians, tales of hunting will always glorify the hunter,” conveys which of the following?
- common people need to learn how to write so they can tell their story.
- hunting is a sport that brings glory only to the hunter.
- the concept of history is much different in Africa than in Europe or the United States.
- History usually reflects the viewpoint of the victors.
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A. DExplanation
The African proverb, "Until the lions have their historians, tales of hunting will always glorify the hunter," conveys that history usually reflects the viewpoint of the victors. This means that the dominant or powerful group tends to shape the narrative of history, often glorifying themselves and their actions while marginalizing or erasing the perspectives of the oppressed or less powerful groups. The proverb suggests that it is important for marginalized or oppressed groups to have their own historians and storytellers in order to provide a more balanced and inclusive understanding of history.Rate this question:
- 4.
Some historians have argued that significant social inequalities emerged only after the adoption of agriculture made it possible for some individuals to accumulate great amounts of surplus wealth.Which of the following most directly undermines that assertion?
- In the few hunting-gathering societies that remain today, men and women often share in decision making concerning the entire group.
- rulers of ancient river valley civilizations, such as Egyptian pharaohs or Mesopotamian kings, often claimed descent from (or affinity with) the gods.
- Archaeological evidence from many later Neolithic settlements in the Fertile Crescent has revealed increasing variations among the size of houses.
- some pre-agricultural archaeological sites across the world have yielded evidence of significant disparities in the amount and quality of objects placed in individual graves.
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A. DExplanation
The statement that some pre-agricultural archaeological sites across the world have yielded evidence of significant disparities in the amount and quality of objects placed in individual graves undermines the assertion that significant social inequalities emerged only after the adoption of agriculture. This suggests that social inequalities existed even before the advent of agriculture, as evidenced by the differences in the burial practices and wealth distribution among pre-agricultural societies.Rate this question:
- 5.
One similarity in the Mesopotamian, Egyptian, ancient Indian (Harappan), and ancient Chinese civilizations was they each developed
- democratic governments
- monotheistic religions
- irrigation systems
- industrialized economies
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A. CExplanation
The correct answer is C, irrigation systems. Mesopotamian, Egyptian, ancient Indian (Harappan), and ancient Chinese civilizations all developed advanced irrigation systems to support their agricultural economies. These civilizations relied on the construction of canals, dikes, and reservoirs to control the flow of water and ensure a consistent water supply for their crops. Irrigation systems were crucial for the success and sustainability of these civilizations, allowing them to flourish and support larger populations.Rate this question:
- 6.
Which group of people were monotheists?
- the Hebrews in Mesopotamia
- the Hittites in Egypt
- the Harappan in India
- the Shang in China
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A. AExplanation
The Hebrews in Mesopotamia were monotheists. This means that they believed in and worshipped only one God, unlike other groups mentioned in the options. The Hittites in Egypt, the Harappan in India, and the Shang in China did not follow monotheism.Rate this question:
- 7.
What became a bond between people in Shang China?
- a centralized government
- horse drawn chariots
- a love of their country
- uniform written language
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A. DExplanation
The correct answer is uniform written language. In Shang China, the development of a uniform written language became a bond between people. This allowed for better communication and understanding among the population, fostering a sense of unity and shared identity. Additionally, a uniform written language facilitated the administration of the centralized government and the recording of important historical and cultural information.Rate this question:
- 8.
Most early civilizations before 600 BCE shared which of the following characteristics?
- animal herds and portable houses
- large standing armies and elected governments
- urban centers, growing populations, and writing systems
- caravan trade, underground cities, and large ships
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A. CExplanation
Most early civilizations before 600 BCE shared the characteristics of urban centers, growing populations, and writing systems. These civilizations developed in areas with fertile land and access to water, leading to the growth of cities and the establishment of complex societies. The increase in population allowed for the specialization of labor and the development of trade networks. Writing systems emerged to record important information, such as laws, religious beliefs, and economic transactions. These characteristics were fundamental in shaping the early civilizations and their cultural, social, and political structures.Rate this question:
- 9.
Which of the following best explains why myths are useful to historians?
- myths clarify how ancient technology worked
- myths analyze how great heroes created the first societies
- myths provide insights into the values and traditions of their societies
- myth give detailed plans showing how ancient leaders achieved power.
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A. CExplanation
Myths provide insights into the values and traditions of their societies.Rate this question:
- 10.
The ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt were similar in that both cultures
- established trade routes to China
- used the ziggurat form for their temples
- developed along rivers
- used a hieroglyphic writing system
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A. CExplanation
The correct answer is C. The ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt developed along rivers. Mesopotamia developed along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, while Egypt developed along the Nile river. The rivers provided a source of water for agriculture, transportation, and trade, which played a crucial role in the development and success of these civilizations.Rate this question:
- 11.
Which of the following staple crops is most associated with the rise of mesoamerican civilizations?
- manioc
- potatoes
- beans
- maize
- rice
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A. DExplanation
Maize is the correct answer because it is the staple crop most associated with the rise of Mesoamerican civilizations. Maize, also known as corn, was a crucial crop for these civilizations as it provided a stable food source and allowed for the development of complex societies. The cultivation of maize allowed for population growth, the establishment of permanent settlements, and the development of advanced agricultural techniques. Additionally, maize played a significant role in the cultural and religious practices of Mesoamerican civilizations.Rate this question:
- 12.
What was a characteristic of the political system in Egypt?
- it was an extensive bureaucracy who got most of its governing ideas from the Romans
- they used a 12-month calendar and had extensive medical knowledge
- their king was known as the pharaoh
- it was divided into city-states
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A. CExplanation
The political system in Egypt was characterized by having a king known as the pharaoh.Rate this question:
- 13.
The “son of heaven” concept was designed to promote all of the following EXCEPT
- loyalty of the emperor
- centralization of power in the state
- priests control of the state
- the remoteness of the emperor from subjects
- an explanation of the decline of dynasties
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A. CExplanation
The "son of heaven" concept was designed to promote loyalty of the emperor, centralization of power in the state, and the remoteness of the emperor from subjects. It was not designed to promote priests control of the state or provide an explanation of the decline of dynasties.Rate this question:
- 14.
Which technologies are generally thought to have been acquired by Paleolithic societies?I. fireII. stone toolsIII. ironIV. bronze
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- I and II
- I, II, and III
- I, II, and IV
- none of the above
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A. BExplanation
The correct answer is B. Paleolithic societies are generally believed to have acquired stone tools and fire. Iron and bronze technologies were developed much later in history, during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages respectively. Therefore, options II and III (stone tools and fire) are the correct choices for technologies acquired by Paleolithic societies. Option I (fire) is also correct as it is well-known that Paleolithic societies used fire for various purposes such as cooking, warmth, and protection.Rate this question:
- 15.
Which of the following statements draws an accurate similarity between early agricultural societies in the Americas and those in the Eastern Hemisphere?
- American societies were matriarchal, while those in the Eastern Hemisphere were patriarchal
- Agricultural societies in both hemispheres were polytheistic
- Both groups of societies relied on human muscle rather than technology to carry out manual labor
- societies in the Western Hemisphere relied more on the flooding patterns of rivers than did those in the Eastern Hemisphere
- societies in the Americas had larger beasts of burden than societies in the Eastern Hemisphere did
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A. BExplanation
Both agricultural societies in the Americas and those in the Eastern Hemisphere were polytheistic.Rate this question:
- 16.
What was used to communicate with ancestors, and what civilization used this way of communication?
- mummification, Egypt
- polytheism, Mesopotamia
- oracle bones, CHina
- priests, Indus Valley
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A. CExplanation
Oracle bones were used to communicate with ancestors in ancient China. Oracle bones were pieces of turtle shell or bone that were inscribed with questions and then heated until they cracked. The cracks were then interpreted by priests as messages from the ancestors. This practice was a form of divination and was commonly used during the Shang Dynasty in China.Rate this question:
- 17.
What statement defines the dynastic cycle?
- Chinese governments ruled based on the power of a single family
- while at first militarily powerful, as a dynasty came to depend more on Confucian scholars than generals, it became weaker militarily and would eventually fall to foreign invasion
- Chinese government depended upon economic growth to sustain power, and as the economy declined, based on cycles, so too did the dynasties
- initially a Chinese government enjoyed prosperity and economic growth, but over time corruption, internal disasters, and external invasions all eroded a dynasty’s power.
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A. DExplanation
The statement that defines the dynastic cycle is that initially a Chinese government enjoyed prosperity and economic growth, but over time corruption, internal disasters, and external invasions all eroded a dynasty's power. This explanation describes the cyclical pattern in which Chinese dynasties would rise to power, experience a period of prosperity, and then decline due to various factors such as corruption and external threats. This pattern would then repeat with the rise of a new dynasty.Rate this question:
- 18.
Which of the following best describes patriarchal relationships?
- they involve abuse of female family members
- they prevent women from engaging in commercial activity in public
- women are secluded behind veils
- women’s inferior status places them under the protection of male family members.
- women are denied an education
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A. DExplanation
Patriarchal relationships are characterized by women's inferior status, which results in them being placed under the protection of male family members. This suggests that women are seen as needing the guidance and control of men, and their actions and decisions are often dictated by male authority figures.Rate this question:
- 19.
The invention of writing systems and the growth of cities occurred only in civilizations that
- originated in South America
- developed matriarchal leadership
- developed complex institutions
- borrowed heavily from the Greeks and Romans
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A. CExplanation
The correct answer is C. The invention of writing systems and the growth of cities occurred only in civilizations that developed complex institutions. This means that in order for writing systems to be developed and for cities to grow, civilizations needed to have complex institutions in place. This suggests that complex institutions were necessary for the advancement of these civilizations.Rate this question:
- 20.
Metal tools were preferred over wood and stone tools for all of the following reasons EXCEPT
- metal hoes and other tools allowed farmers to work the ground more efficiently
- they made superior weapons
- they were easier for ordinary people to produce in mass at home
- they allowed some artisans to become specialists in metal working who could then trade with the farmers
- they were sharper and more precise
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A. CExplanation
Metal tools were preferred over wood and stone tools for all of the following reasons except they were easier for ordinary people to produce in mass at home. Metal tools required specialized skills and equipment to produce, making them less accessible for ordinary people to make at home compared to wood and stone tools.Rate this question:
- 21.
Women were important contributors to the Agricultural Revolution because they were likely the ones who
- traded grains for meat
- made tools and containers
- gathered edible plants and knew where grains grew
- performed essential agricultural tasks such as plowing and irrigation
- found that farming required less work and less time
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A. DExplanation
Women were important contributors to the Agricultural Revolution because they performed essential agricultural tasks such as plowing and irrigation. This suggests that they played a crucial role in the cultivation of crops and the development of agricultural techniques. Additionally, their knowledge of where grains grew and their ability to gather edible plants would have been valuable in sustaining the community's food supply.Rate this question:
- 22.
Identify the statement that best begins an explanation of the Neolithic Revolution
- in Northern Europe, nomadic hunters began to produce more complex stone tools
- in East Asia, early settlers began using markings on turtle shells and bones as an early form of record keeping
- in the MIddle East, people began to settle in small communities and practice agriculture
- in Mesoamerica, agricultural settlements saw an expansion of their populations and the beginning of more complex governments
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A. CExplanation
In the Middle East, people began to settle in small communities and practice agriculture. This marked the beginning of a significant shift in human society known as the Neolithic Revolution.Rate this question:
- 23.
Which of the following Indo-European languages was spread to India through migration about 1500 BCE?
- Hindi
- Sanskrit
- Arabic
- Mandarin
- Farsi
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A. BExplanation
Sanskrit is the correct answer because it is an Indo-European language that was spread to India through migration around 1500 BCE. Sanskrit is considered to be the oldest language of the Indo-Aryan branch and has had a significant influence on the development of many languages in the Indian subcontinent, including Hindi. Arabic, Mandarin, and Farsi are not Indo-European languages and therefore are not the correct answer.Rate this question:
- 24.
Which of the following occurred as a result of the development of agriculture in societies that previously relied on hunting and gatheringa. conditions for women improvedb. incidence of disease declinedc. polytheism disappearedd. population density increasede. degradation of the environment lessened
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A. DExplanation
The development of agriculture in societies that previously relied on hunting and gathering resulted in an increase in population density. This is because agriculture allowed for a more reliable and abundant food supply, which in turn supported larger populations. As a result, people were able to settle in one place and form permanent settlements, leading to an increase in population density.Rate this question:
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- 25.
The early civilizations of the Nile River Valley, Mesopotamia, and the Yangtze were similar because they werea. dependent on fertile landb. monotheisticc. industrialized societiesd. dependent on each other for trade
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A. AExplanation
The correct answer is A. The early civilizations of the Nile River Valley, Mesopotamia, and the Yangtze were similar because they were dependent on fertile land. This is because these civilizations relied heavily on agriculture for their survival and prosperity. The fertile land provided by the rivers allowed for the development of complex agricultural systems, which in turn supported the growth of these civilizations. The abundance of food from agriculture also led to the growth of population and the development of more complex social and political structures.Rate this question:
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- 26.
In the late Indus River Valley civilization who had the highest status?a. the priestsb. the warriorsc. the merchants d. the untouchables
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A. AExplanation
In the late Indus River Valley civilization, the highest status was held by the priests. This can be inferred from the fact that priests were considered to have a special connection with the divine and were responsible for performing religious rituals and ceremonies. Their role in the religious and spiritual life of the civilization would have given them significant power and influence, thereby elevating their social status above that of warriors, merchants, and untouchables.Rate this question:
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- 27.
- The emergence of agriculture, or the Neolithic Revolution, caused all of the following EXCEPT
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A. DExplanation
The emergence of agriculture, or the Neolithic Revolution, caused the ability of humans to settle more permanently in one spot, a population explosion, and an increase in the specialization of political, economic, and religious functions. However, it did not directly cause the introduction of artistic expression.Rate this question:
- 28.
All of the following are contributions of the river valley civilization EXCEPTa. the formal divisions of time into a calendarb. the wheelc. written languaged. the development of important mathematical concepts such as square rootse. monotheistic religions
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A. EExplanation
The river valley civilization made significant contributions to the development of formal divisions of time into a calendar, the wheel, written language, and important mathematical concepts such as square roots. However, it did not contribute to the development of monotheistic religions.Rate this question:
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- 29.
The river valleys of the Tigris-Euphrates, the Nile, and the Indus were centers of civilization because theya. had rich deposits of iron ore and coalb. were relatively isolated form other cultural influencesc. were easy to defend from invasiond. provided a means of transportation and irrigation
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A. DExplanation
The river valleys of the Tigris-Euphrates, the Nile, and the Indus were centers of civilization because they provided a means of transportation and irrigation. These rivers allowed for easy transportation of goods and people, facilitating trade and cultural exchange. They also provided a reliable source of water for irrigation, which allowed for the development of agriculture and the growth of complex societies. Additionally, the fertile soil deposited by these rivers made the surrounding areas highly productive for farming, supporting large populations and the development of advanced civilizations.Rate this question:
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- 30.
Identify the sacred text that originated in the Indus River Valley after the migration of the Aryan people form Central Asiaa. torahb. the analectsc. vedas d. the book of the dead
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A. CExplanation
The sacred text that originated in the Indus River Valley after the migration of the Aryan people from Central Asia is the Vedas.Rate this question:
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- 31.
In traditional India, the caste system and the Hindu beliefs in karma and dharma most directly resulted ina. the establishment of a set of rules for each individual in societyb. the rapid industrialization of the economyc. a strong emphasis on the acquisition of wealthd. a strong belief in the importance of education
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A. AExplanation
The caste system in traditional India classified individuals into different social groups based on their birth, and the Hindu beliefs in karma and dharma emphasized the idea that one's social position and fate in life were determined by their actions in previous lives. These beliefs and the caste system led to the establishment of a set of rules for each individual in society, as their caste determined their occupation, social interactions, and even marriage partners. Therefore, option A is the correct answer as it directly reflects the impact of the caste system and Hindu beliefs on the establishment of rules for individuals in traditional Indian society.Rate this question:
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- 32.
‘If a [noble] man puts out the eye of another [noble] man, his eye shall be put out.If he breaks another man’s [noble] home, his bone shall be brokenIf he puts out the eye of a [commoner] or breaks the bone of a [commoner], he shall pay one [silver] minaIf he puts out the eye of a man’s slave or breaks the bone of a man’s slave, he shall pay one-half of its value’The excerpt from the Code of Hammurabi illustrates which of the following about Babylonian society? a. it made provisions for the economic well-being of all classesb. it supported gender equalityc. it moved away from reliance on corporal punishmentsd. it was marked by social inequalitiese. the king was regulated as blessed by divine forces
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A. DExplanation
The excerpt from the Code of Hammurabi illustrates that Babylonian society was marked by social inequalities. This is evident from the different punishments for harming individuals of different social classes. Nobles who harmed other nobles faced the same harm in return, while commoners and slaves had to pay monetary compensation for their actions. This demonstrates a hierarchical structure in which the punishment varied based on one's social status.Rate this question:
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- 33.
Bronze weapons and horse-drawn chariots were used by which civilization?a. chinab. Indiac. Mesopotamiad. Egypt
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- 34.
What are three things that can contribute to diffusion of inventions?a. there was no diffusion of inventionsb. travel, irrigation, types of jobsc. trade, war, traveld. all of the above
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A. CExplanation
Trade, war, and travel can all contribute to the diffusion of inventions. Trade allows for the exchange of goods and ideas between different regions, leading to the spread of inventions. War can also lead to the transfer of technology and knowledge as conquerors bring new ideas and practices to the conquered territories. Travel enables individuals to move between different areas, bringing their knowledge and inventions with them and sharing them with others. Therefore, all of these factors can contribute to the diffusion of inventions.Rate this question:
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- 35.
In which river valleys did the first civilizations on the Eurasian and African continents develop?a. Niger, Tigris/Euphrates, Nile, Indusb. Tigris/Euphrates, Nile, Ganges, Yangtzec. Nile, Tigris/Euphrates, Yellow, Indusd. Amazon, Yangtze, Indus, Yellowe. Nile Amazon, Yangtze Ganges
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A. CExplanation
The correct answer is C. The first civilizations on the Eurasian and African continents developed in the Nile, Tigris/Euphrates, Yellow, and Indus river valleys. These river valleys provided fertile land for agriculture, which allowed for the development of complex societies and civilizations. The Nile River in Egypt, the Tigris/Euphrates Rivers in Mesopotamia, the Yellow River in China, and the Indus River in the Indian subcontinent were all crucial to the growth and prosperity of these early civilizations.Rate this question:
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