Stone tools, hunting and gathering, and an increasing number of Homo sapiens sapiens are features of the

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.






Answer: B

In early China, unity and cultural identity were provided by

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.

Answer: E

Compared to river valley cultures in Egypt and Mesopotamia, Chinese civilization

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.

Answer: A

Unlike Sumer and Egypt, the Indus Valley or Harappan civilization

Unlike Sumer and Egypt, the Indus Valley or Harappan civilization

(A) became a geographic center for a unified, continuous culture lasting millennia.
(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.

Answer: B

Unlike Sumer and the Indus Valley or Harappan civilization, Egypt

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) worshipped many gods.

Answer: D

Which of the following is NOT a feature of Sumerian civilization?

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

Answer: A

Cuneiform and other types of writing are important in part because they

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

Answer: A

The start of sedentary agriculture

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 Huang-he and Yangtze.
(E) began after the abandonment of hunting and gathering.

Answer: C

Metalworking was important to agricultural and herding societies for each of the following reasons EXCEPT:

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.

Answer: E

The transformation that was most responsible for moving humans toward civilization was the

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

Answer: D

Once developed, metal tools were preferred over stone tools for all of the following reasons EXCEPT

Once developed, metal tools were preferred over stone tools for all of the following reasons EXCEPT

a. they were more durable.
b. they could be used to make accurate weapons.
c. they were sharper and more precise.
d. they permitted more diverse shapes.
e. they were easier for ordinary people to make at home.

Answer: E

Why did the original inhabitants of Australia not develop agriculture?

Why did the original inhabitants of Australia not develop agriculture?

a. The Australian climate was too severe.
b. They were prevented from doing so by the Neolithic revolution.
c. They were too isolated to learn of developments elsewhere until recently.
d. Australia never experienced an ice age.
e. Australian soil was too barren to grow crops.

Answer: C

The characteristic political organization of the Tigris-Euphrates civilization was

The characteristic political organization of the Tigris-Euphrates civilization was

a. regional city-states.
b. large, durable empires.
c. democracy.
d. village-level government.
e. hunting bands.









Answer: A

The development of writing

The development of writing

a. helps explain why agriculture could develop.
b. was unusual in an agricultural society.
c. resulted from the needs of the various river valley civilizations to communicate with one another.
d. helps explain why governments could become more formal and bureaucratic.
e. resulted from new technologies, notably the invention of paper.

Answer: D

The earliest known writing in a civilization first developed in

The earliest known writing in a civilization first developed in

a. Mesoamerica
b. China
c. Egypt
d. India
e. the Middle East






Answer: E

The development of agriculture caused important changes in all of the following EXCEPT

The development of agriculture caused important changes in all of the following EXCEPT

a. the stability of human settlements.
b. the development of complex social patterns.
c. population size and life expectancy.
d. the tendency to believe in many gods.
e. male-female relations.

Answer: D

Which of the following areas was NOT one of the earliest civilizations to develop?

Which of the following areas was NOT one of the earliest civilizations to develop?

a. Northern China
b. Middle East
c. Northwestern India
d. West Africa
e. Northeastern Africa







Answer: D

Egypt differed from Mesopotamian civilization by stressing

Egypt differed from Mesopotamian civilization by stressing

a. extensive trade.
b. greater social equality.
c. well-organized, durable empires.
d. firm religious beliefs.
e. more modest building projects.

Answer: C

Hunting and gathering societies

Hunting and gathering societies

a. organize rather small groups into political units.
b. are always warlike and require little land.
c. could not survive after Middle Eastern people developed agriculture.
d. are not able to produce art.
e. generally produce a food surplus.

Answer: A

Jewish monotheism

Jewish monotheism

a. was spread actively by Jewish missionaries throughout the Middle East.
b. influenced no other religions.
c. proposed a less human-like and more abstract God.
d. included worship of various lesser gods.
e. emerged at the high point of Sumerian civilization.

Answer: C