AP World History Test Review: Chapter 1

Mesopotamia, Greek for "between the rivers," was located in the _____________ River Valleys. A. Danube and Rhine B. Tigris and Euphrates C. Huang He and Yangtze D. Blue and White Nile

B. Tigris and Euphrates

Cultural works, such as temples and painting, were promoted by A. the common people as a way to honor their gods. B. elites, as a way of unifying states. C. slaves, who helped build the temples and cities. D. merchants, as a way to increase demand for trade.

B. elites, as a way of unifying states.

Unlike Sumer and Egypt, the Indus Valley or Harappan civilization A. became a geographic center for a unified, continuous culture lasting millennial. B. is particularly difficult to study because its writing has not been deciphered. C. was secure from nomadic incursions and invasions. D. never developed a military social class. E. developed a monotheistic religion.

B. is particularly difficult to study because its writing has not been deciphered.

The rise of homo sapiens, which coincided with continental migrations, the "speech gene," and the careful burial of the dead, began approximately _____. A. 2 million years ago. B. 750,000 - 1 million years ago. C. 100,000 - 250,000 years ago. D. 10,000 years ago.

C. 100,000 - 250,000 years ago.

What gave the Middle East an advantage during the Neolithic Era? A. A well-educated and hardworking populace B. Fertile land C. An abundance of diverse beasts of burden to domesticate. D. Rivers and Coastlines

C. An abundance of diverse beasts of burden to domesticate. Explain: Sheep, cows, goats, pigs, horses, and camels were collectively located nowhere else in the world at this time.

Based on geography, the empire's most likely to have established trade relations included A. Greece and the Assyrians. B. Arzawa and Babylon. C. Egypt and the Hittites. D. Arzawa and Babylon.

C. Egypt and the Hittites. Explain: In the 14th Century BCE, Egypt and the Hittites had direct trade relations, as well as one of the first documented treaties in history.

During the Neolithic era, the most isolated part of the world was ___. A. Africa B. South Asia C. Europe D. The Americas

D. The Americas Explain: North and South America, though originally populated by Asians, was completely isolated from Afro-Eurasia during the Neolithic Era.

The "Out of Africa" thesis maintains that _____. A. All humans descended from a species that began in Africa B. Humans in Asia, Africa, and the Americas evolved independently of each other C. All humans alive today evolved from African chimpanzees D. All of humanity began in the Middle East, migrated to Africa, and from their dispersed to all parts of the world

A. All humans descended from a species that began in Africa Explain: The Out of Africa theory believes that humanity began in East Africa and then spread to the rest of the world.

Which of the following civilizations did NOT originate in a river valley? A. Harappan B. Olmec C. Mesopotamian D. Egyptian

B. Olmec The Olmec civilization, located in Central America, developed around a lake

Rice is to China as ________ is/are to the Andes in South America. A. potatoes B. wheat C. peas D. corn (maize)

A. potatoes

Compared to river valley cultures in Egypt and Mesopotamia, Chinese civilization ________. A. probably developed after civilizations in the Nile Valley and Mesopotamia. B. predates the rise of civilization in both Egypt and Mesopotamia. C. developed simultaneously with Egypt and Mesopotamia. D. did not rely on heavy irrigation as year round water was plentiful. E. has no verifiable historic origins and left no written records.

A. probably developed after civilizations in the Nile Valley and Mesopotamia.

Like the Aryans, the Shang were nomadic warriors, but unlike the Aryans, they _____. A. were ruled by strong kings, who used their vassals and an extensive bureaucracy to build an empire. B. developed the caste system to reinforce Hinduism. C. were part of the Indo-European migration. D. did not develop a system of writing.

A. were ruled by strong kings, who used their vassals and an extensive bureaucracy to build an empire. Explain: While both societies had a strong warrior ethic, the Aryans placed greater emphasis on a priest class known as the Brahmins, and religion played a more dominant role in structuring Aryan social classes and society. The Shang, however, created a feudal system in China, and used vassals and a bureaucracy to support their rule over a large area. The other key to this question is the process of elimination. The caste system is unique to India, and developed as a result of the Aryan Indo-European migration. Both civilizations developed a system of writing.

Which of the following was a constraint on the expansion of civilization? A. Balancing the need for more resources with the danger of undermining soil fertility. B. A more balanced diet that led to a growing population. C. New technologies that led to increased food production. D. The intensification of economic exchanges between civilizations, as well as with nomadic pastoralists.

A. Balancing the need for more resources with the danger of undermining soil fertility.

The first hominids from the early Paleolithic Era, circa 2 million BCE, were found in which of the following geographic areas? A. Great Rift Valley in East Africa B. Neanderthal ("Neander Valley") in Northern Europe C. Indus River Valley in South Asia D. Mesopotamia in Southwest Asia

A. Great Rift Valley in East Africa

In comparing the different areas, which of the following areas never developed the plow or wheeled vehicles? A. Meso-America B. Nile River Valley C. Mesopotamia D. China

A. Meso-America Explain: Improvements in agricultural production, trade, and transportation were key consequences of the Neolithic Revolution. Plows, woven textiles, metallurgy, and wheeled vehicles all increased productivity and facilitated transportation and trade. While the Neolithic Revolution occurred later in the Western Hemisphere than in the other areas listed, the key reason they did not develop the plow or wheeled vehicles is that they did not have draft animals such as oxen or horses to pull them.

Which of the following groups developed new weapons and modes of transportation, such as compound bows, iron weapons, and horseback riding, that transformed warfare in agrarian societies? A. Pastoralists B. River Valley Civilizations C. Hunter-gatherers D. Sea Traders

A. Pastoralists Explain: Pastoralist societies were often the developers and disseminators of new weapons and modes of transportation in order to protect their herds and facilitate their movement across large areas. Either through warfare or direct trade, these practices transformed warfare in agrarian societies.

The civilization that created a system of numbers based on units of 10, 60, and 360, which we still use in calculating circles and hours, was developed by _____. A. Sumerians. B. Babylonians. C. Egyptians. D. Chinese.

A. Sumerians.

What do the Bantu and Indo-Europeans have in common? A. They were a migratory group that spread their culture as they traveled B. They were monotheistic C. Foreign invasions forced them to abandon their homeland D. They each believed in a rigid caste system

A. They were a migratory group that spread their culture as they traveled Explain: For different reasons they fanned out from their homeland and spread their culture as they went, the Indo-Europeans into Europe and South Asia and the Bantu into Sub-Saharan Africa.

Which of the following is NOT a feature of Sumerian civilization? A. a simplified alphabet of 22 letters B. Ziggurats C. cuneiform D. city-states E. a numeric system based on 10, 60, and 360

A. a simplified alphabet of 22 letters

In 1991, hikers in the Alps found the "Iceman," whose 5,000-year-old skeletal remains included an ax with a copper blade on a wooden handle with birch gum and leather. Scientists were able to date this discovery by using _____. A. carbon dating. B. alpine dating. C. nitrogen dating. D. glacier dating.

A. carbon dating.

Cuneiform and other types of writing are important in part because they __________. A. help organize elaborate political structures. B. lead directly to social stratification. C. can compel leaders to follow written guidelines of behavior. D. hinder economic development in certain circumstances. E. limit bureaucratic inefficiencies.

A. help organize elaborate political structures.

Stone tools, hunting and gathering, and an increasing number of Homo sapiens sapiens are features of the ________. A. Neolithic Age. B. Late Paleolithic Age. C. Bronze Age. D. Early Copper Age. E. River valley civilizations.

B. Late Paleolithic Age.

In terms of human migration, the most important consequence of the latest Ice Age (circa 30,000 BCE to circa 10,000 BCE) was the movement of humans from _____. A. Southeast Asia to the Pacific Islands. B. East Asia to the Western Hemisphere. C. Western Africa to South Africa. D. The Black Sea region to Europe and South Asia.

B. East Asia to the Western Hemisphere.

The dominant characteristic of the Neolithic Revolution is ____. A. the control of fire B. Agriculture Farming and animal domestication is the defining characteristic of the Neolithic Age. C. Urban centers D. Equality of the sexes

B. Agriculture Explain: Farming and animal domestication is the defining characteristic of the Neolithic Age.

How were historians able to trace the origins of the Indo-European migrations depicted in this map? A. Through the study of facial features, including foreheads and noses B. Analyzing languages for common words like month, mother, and night C. Comparing religious beliefs and practices, such as sun worship and ritual sacrifices D.Period hieroglyphs in the Caucasus that depict the migrations to both Europe and India

B. Analyzing languages for common words like month, mother, and night

Which of the following was a NECESSARY condition for "civilization"? A. A system of writing B. Complex religions C. Metal-working, including iron D. Dynasties

B. Complex religions Explain: "B" is the best answer because "complex religions" infers a belief in a deity (divine nature) or cosmos (universe seen as an orderly, harmonious system) with social rituals, which is consistent with all civilizations. "A" is a common answer, but it is not correct. Although a system of record keeping typically developed as a consequence of surplus food, this was not necessarily a system of writing. An example is the Incas, which used Quipu ("talking knots"). Quipu contained numeric values, but it was not a system of writing.

True/False: As "civilizations" progressed the status of women fell sharply.

True

What would be considered a unique characteristic to Egypt when compared to Mesopotamia? A. Polytheistic B. Law(s) C. Highly Centralized Governments D. Large Structure/Pyramids

C. Highly Centralized Governments

What group is credited fro the creation of a 22 letter alphabet? A. Sumerians B. Aryans C. Phonecians D. Egyptians

C. Phonecians

"It is the nature of women to seduce men in this world; for that reason the wise are never unguarded in the company of females. ... When women are honored, there the gods are pleased; but where they are not honored, no sacred rite yields rewards. ... In childhood a female must be subject to her father, in youth to her husband, when her lord is dead to her sons; a woman must never be independent. She must not seek to separate herself from her father, husband or sons; by leaving them she would make both her own and her husband's family contemptible. ..." What does this excerpt from the Law of Manu tell us about life in early South Asia? A. the caste system has been around a long time B. South Asian government was a theocracy C. South Asia was a patriarchy D. many generations of family members lived together under one roof

C. South Asia was a patriarchy The quote is designed to place women in a subordinate position.

The depiction of the wheeled chariot above is an example of _______ art. A. Chinese B. Mayan C. Sumerian D. Roman

C. Sumerian

Which of the following describes a CONSEQUENCE of the accumulation of wealth among settled communities? A. Competition for surplus resources, especially food B. Specialization of labor C. Warfare between communities and/or with pastoralists D. More complex systems of government and religion, and the development of record keeping

C. Warfare between communities and/or with pastoralists

"Animism" is best described as ____. A. humans acting as cannibals when food is scarce. B. acting boldly in the face of danger. C. a belief in spirits residing in animals, objects, and dreams. D. skilled artists who painted animals and the hunt.

C. a belief in spirits residing in animals, objects, and dreams.

The rise of agriculture during the Neolithic Revolution in the Nile River Valley, Mesopotamia, South Asia, China, and Meso-America can BEST be explained by _____. A. missionaries bringing knowledge of farming to remote areas. B. trade between the areas, introducing different types of seed. C. coincidental discoveries, where tribal peoples found seed would grow if planted. D. warfare, where the victors would bring ideas with them to areas they conquered.

C. coincidental discoveries, where tribal peoples found seed would grow if planted.

Which one of the following did NOT happen during the Neolithic Era? A. domestication of animals B. agriculture C. increased gender equality D. development of urban centers

C. increased gender equality Explain: As civilization developed and urban centers emerged, specialization of labor became more prominent and women found their status declining more and more.

The start of sedentary agriculture ___________. A. occurred simultaneously in various places and spread around the world. B. began only in the savannas of West Africa. C. started in the Middle East first but developed independently in other areas. D. arose in the river valleys of the Huanghe and Yangtze. E. began after the abandonment of hunting and gathering.

C. started in the Middle East first but developed independently in other areas.

Pastoralists differed from agriculturalists in that _____. A. they tended to be more socially stratified than hunter-gatherers. B. they required greater cooperation in clearing land and creating water control systems. C. they led their herds across ranges, tending to be more mobile, while accumulating fewer material possessions. D. they had less environmental impact because they had little contact with other settled populations.

C. they led their herds across ranges, tending to be more mobile, while accumulating fewer material possessions.

Chinese emperors were expected to be responsible to their citizenry because of _____. A. the status enjoyed by the peasantry B. the religious dictates C.the Mandate of Heaven D. the Code of Hammurabi

C.the Mandate of Heaven Explain: The Mandate of Heaven gave permission to the emperor to rule, a permission ultimately granted by the people.

What group of people never resided in Mesopotamia? A. Sumerians B. Akkadians C. Hittites D. Phonecians E. Babylonians

D. Phonecians

What religion dominated the early world at this time? A. Hinduism B. Christianity C. Judaism D. Animism

D. Animism

The period of 8,000 BCE to 600 BCE can be subdivided in about 3,000 BCE (8000 to 3000 BCE / 3000 BCE to 600 BCE), which indicates the transition from the Neolithic Revolution to the rise of civilizations. Which of the following BEST explains this subdivision? A. The beginning of irrigation systems, which started with shallow ditches and dams to control waters. B. Learning to make bricks from mud and straw, which helped in the building of homes. C. Priests beginning to practice sacrifices as a tribute to their gods. D. Copper and bronze tools, which became so common place in the Middle East that the use of stone tools dissipated.

D. Copper and bronze tools, which became so common place in the Middle East that the use of stone tools dissipated.

What separates the Paleolithic Era from the Neolithic Era? A. Use of fire B. Art, including paintings C. A belief in an afterlife D. Development of farming and raising of livestock

D. Development of farming and raising of livestock

What group of people brought the first monotheistic religion into the world? A. Phonecians B. Judisismist C. Mayans D. Hebrews

D. Hebrews

The Chavin was a foundational civilization for the ______. A. Mayas. B. Franks. C. Nubians. D. Incas.

D. Incas.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of early Mesopotamia? A. City-States (Non-Centralized) B. Cuniform C. Epic of Gilgamesh D. Monotheism

D. Monotheism

Which one of the following would be the best example of two ancient civilizations interacting with each other? A. Jericho trading with Ur B. Catal Huyuk trading with Constantinople C. Jerusalem trading with Tenochtitlan D. Phoenicians trading with Egyptians

D. Phoenicians trading with Egyptians Explain: The first two choices are not civilizations and the third disagrees with the ideas contained in the previous question. Phoenicia and Egypt were both civilizations and they did trade with each other.

Who developed the wheel? A. Phonecians B. Egyptians C. Babylonians D. Sumerians

D. Sumerians

What purpose did the pyramids serve during the Old Kingdom in ancient Egypt in the 26th Century BCE? A. They were temples to the sun god, and used by the priests in worship. B. They served as living chambers for the royalty when rebellions occurred in order to protect the pharaohs. C. They were navigational markers to guide merchants travelling across the desert to other civilizations. D. They served as burial chambers for the pharaohs.

D. They served as burial chambers for the pharaohs.

Which of the following was NOT a use of fire during the Paleolithic Era? A. To aid in hunting and foraging. B. To protect against predators. C. To adapt to cold environments. D. To create fields for grazing for livestock.

D. To create fields for grazing for livestock.

Early humans were distinguished from other animals in that they ____. A. could communicate with each other. B. prefer association to isolation. C. were omnivores. D. could fashion (manufacture) complex tools.

D. could fashion (manufacture) complex tools.

Key causes for the expansion of empires in Egypt and Mesopotamia included all of the following, EXCEPT ______. A. rulers, who were perceived as having divine support, and/or were supported by the military. B. greater access to resources, which provided favorable conditions for further expansion. C. higher surplus food production, which resulted in growing populations. D. cultural diffusion, including the spread of cultural practices and economic trade.

D. cultural diffusion, including the spread of cultural practices and economic trade. Explain: "D" is a consequence of the expansion of empire, not a root cause. The growth of empires resulted from powerful new systems of rule requiring strong leaders who were able to mobilize surplus labor and resources (such as iron) over large areas; and the growth of populations from increased food production enabled the states to undertake territorial expansion and conquer surrounding states.

As compared to Sumeria, women in Egypt _______. A. enjoyed fewer rights relative to those held by most women in Sumeria. B. were relatively equal in terms of their rights in society. C. had no rights and could be bought and sold at will. D. enjoyed more rights than most women in Sumeria.

D. enjoyed more rights than most women in Sumeria.

The BEST causal explanation for Neolithic peoples to begin domesticating goats in Mesopotamia is that ________ A. their meat was a great source of protein. B. they would attract other carnivores, which added to the diet. C. they were destructive to the ecosystem, and confining them limited the damage. D. killing more than could be eaten provided no advantage, and keeping them for later use was relatively easy

D. killing more than could be eaten provided no advantage, and keeping them for later use was relatively easy

Unlike Sumer and the Indus Valley or Harappan civilization, Egypt _________. A. did not have an effective method of irrigation. B. lacked a coherent system of writing. C. began using metal tools much later. D. retained a unified state throughout most of its history. E. Worshiped many gods.

D. retained a unified state throughout most of its history.

The transformation that was most responsible for moving humans toward civilization was the ________. A. use of fire. B. smelting of metals such as copper. C. growth of towns and cities. D. rise of agriculture. E. rise of specialized classes.

D. rise of agriculture.

All of the following are examples of urban planning, EXCEPT ______. A. streets and roads. B. defensive walls. C. sewage and water systems. D. sculpture.

D. sculpture.

Metalworking was important to agricultural and herding societies for each of the following reasons EXCEPT ___________. A. Farmers could use more efficient metal hoes to work the ground. B. Metal weapons were superior to those made of stone or wood. C. Toolmakers could focus on their craft full time and trade With farmers for food. D. Woodworkers and other manufacturing artisans could improve their craft. E. Large metal boats could be constructed, improving trade.

E. Large metal boats could be constructed, improving trade

In early China, unity and cultural identity were provided by __________. A. divine monarchs. B. shared religious ceremonies. C. a uniform language. D. Buddhism. E. a common system of writing.

E. a common system of writing.

True/False: The woman in Ancient Egypt had a lower social standing than other civilizations at the time.

False Explain: Gave more rights to women than other civilizations, even allowing some to become rulers. (Ex. Queen Hatshepsut, Queen Cleopatra, Queen Nefertiti, Queen MerNeit )

True/False: The Agricultural Revolution led to a less dense population.

False Explain: The Agricultural Revolution led to a denser population.

FRQ: To what extent was the Neolithic revolution responsible for the development of early civilizations?

The development of sedentary agriculture during the Neolithic Age set the stage for civilizations. Farming revolutionized the Harappan, Chinese, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian peoples. With relatively large groups of women and men farming in one place, cities could be built, labor could be specialized, humans could be organized into different social and economic strata, ideas and goods could be exchanged rapidly, and information could be recorded in Widely accepted formats.

Where did the Pharaohs in Ancient Egypt derive their power?

The gods, by divine right/birth.