AP World History Stearns Chapter 1 Practice Quiz

The Neolithic revolution occurred first in the Middle East because this region is considered the cradle of civilization. It was here that humans transitioned from a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle to settled farming communities. The Middle East, specifically the Fertile Crescent, provided favorable conditions for the development of agriculture with its fertile soils and access to water sources such as the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This agricultural revolution marked a significant turning point in human history, leading to the development of complex societies, the domestication of plants and animals, and the emergence of permanent settlements.

The development of agriculture brought about significant changes in population size and life expectancy, male-female relations, and the development of complex social patterns. However, it did not directly impact the tendency to believe in many gods. This suggests that the belief in multiple gods may have been influenced by other factors unrelated to the agricultural revolution.

The correct answer is "the period in which simple stone tools were developed." The Paleolithic Age, also known as the Old Stone Age, was a prehistoric period characterized by the use of simple stone tools by early humans. During this time, humans relied on hunting and gathering for survival, and the development of stone tools was a significant advancement in their ability to adapt and thrive in their environment. This period predates the development of agriculture and the ability to communicate effectively.

The correct answer is "it practices sedentary agriculture." This is because sedentary agriculture is a key characteristic of a civilization. It refers to the practice of cultivating crops and raising livestock in a fixed location, allowing for the development of permanent settlements and the establishment of complex social structures. While tool use, religious rituals, and gathering food are important aspects of society, sedentary agriculture is the defining factor that distinguishes a civilization from a simpler society.

Before the advent of civilization, humans had the ability to spread to various geographic settings and climate zones. This means that they were able to migrate and adapt to different environments, which allowed them to survive and thrive in different parts of the world. This characteristic highlights the resilience and adaptability of early humans, as they were able to explore and inhabit different regions, utilizing their skills and knowledge to adapt to different climates and geographical challenges.

The Sumerian civilization is credited with producing the first written law code. This is significant because it marked a shift from oral traditions to written records, allowing for a more organized and standardized legal system. The Code of Hammurabi, created by the Babylonians, is one of the most well-known examples of a written law code from this time period. It established rules and punishments for various offenses, promoting fairness and justice within the society. The development of a written law code was a crucial step in the evolution of legal systems and had a lasting impact on civilizations that followed.

Jewish monotheism emphasized the power and abstraction of God. This means that the belief system focused on the idea that God was all-powerful and beyond human comprehension. This belief was central to Judaism and set it apart from other religions that worshipped multiple gods or had a more anthropomorphic view of their deities. By emphasizing the power and abstraction of God, Jewish monotheism established a unique theological perspective that influenced the development of Judaism and set the foundation for monotheistic religions that followed.

The characteristic political organization of the Tigris-Euphrates civilization was regional city states. This means that the civilization was divided into various independent city-states, each with its own government and ruling authority. These city-states were often centered around a major city and its surrounding territories. They had their own laws, rulers, and systems of governance, and although they may have had some level of interaction and trade with each other, they were largely autonomous entities. This decentralized political structure allowed for a diverse and dynamic civilization to emerge in the region.

The original inhabitants of Australia did not develop agriculture because they were too isolated to learn about agricultural practices from other civilizations until recently. Due to their geographical isolation, they did not have access to knowledge or advancements in agriculture that were happening in other parts of the world. This lack of exposure to agricultural techniques and technologies hindered their ability to develop agriculture as a sustainable way of life.

West Africa was not one of the earliest civilizations to develop. While the Middle East, Northeastern Africa, and Northern China were all regions where early civilizations emerged, West Africa did not experience the same level of early development. The earliest known civilizations in the world emerged in Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, and China, while West Africa's earliest complex societies and civilizations developed later in history.

Egypt differed from Mesopotamian civilization by stressing well-organized, durable empires. Unlike Mesopotamia, where city-states were the dominant political structure, Egypt had a centralized government and a strong pharaoh who ruled over a unified kingdom. The stability and longevity of the Egyptian empires allowed for the development of a highly organized society, with a well-defined hierarchy and a strong bureaucracy. This emphasis on empire-building and centralized power set Egypt apart from Mesopotamia, where political power was more fragmented and often changed hands more frequently.

The correct answer is the Middle East because it is widely acknowledged that the earliest known writing system, cuneiform, was developed in ancient Mesopotamia, which is located in the Middle East. This writing system was used by the Sumerians around 3200 BCE and was later adopted by other civilizations in the region. The Middle East is also known for its rich history and contributions to various fields, including writing and literature.

The Indus Valley civilization was most completely destroyed by natural disasters such as climate change. The civilization thrived around 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE in what is now modern-day Pakistan and northwest India. However, evidence suggests that a series of natural disasters, including floods and droughts, led to the decline and eventual collapse of the civilization. The changing climate patterns disrupted the agricultural practices and caused a decline in food production, leading to the abandonment of cities and the eventual downfall of the Indus Valley civilization.