Question 1

The earliest large states appeared in Central America around

Accepted Answer

A)   6,000 years ago.
B)   5,000 years ago.
C)   4,000 years ago.
D)   3,000 years ago. C

Question 2

Of the four major river valley civilizations, the one that had the least contact with the others was

Accepted Answer

A)   China.
B)   India.
C)   Egypt.
D)   Mesopotamia. A

Question 3

What is the connection between the development of writing and trade in Mesopotamia?

Accepted Answer

The development of writing and trade in Mesopotamia are closely connected. Writing was essential for keeping records of trade transactions, such as the quantities and types of goods exchanged, debts owed, and contracts made. This allowed for more efficient and accurate trade, as well as the ability to track and enforce agreements. In turn, trade also played a significant role in the development of writing, as the need to communicate and record trade activities led to the creation of written symbols and eventually a full writing system. Therefore, the development of writing and trade in Mesopotamia were mutually reinforcing, with each one supporting and driving the growth of the other.

Question 4

What ecological factors were common to all of the major river valley civilizations? How did these factors influence the emergence of these societies?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What ecological factors were common to all...

Question 5

Discuss the different methods of social and political control used by early Mesopotamian kings and Chinese emperors. Consider the central role of water, religion, and law in both societies.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the different methods of social and...

Question 6

How did the ecology of the Nile River Valley civilization compare with the Mesopotamian?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How did the ecology of the Nile...

Question 7

Of the following Mesopotamian kings, who is the earliest?

Accepted Answer

A)   Sargon
B)   Hammurabi
C)   Gilgamesh
D)   Enlil

Question 8

Ancient Mesopotamia was

Accepted Answer

A)   a united kingdom under a single ruler.
B)   a collection of city-states.
C)   a confederation of states with a single ruler only in times of war.
D)   a feudal state.

Question 9

What are the common features of government and religion across all the river valley civilizations? Why were they common?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the common features of government...

Question 10

What environmental features were shared by the early river valley civilizations?

Accepted Answer

A)   warm and dry climate, dry soils, seasonal flooding, and irrigation
B)   cool and wet climate, dry soils, seasonal flooding, and irrigation
C)   warm and dry climate, wet soils, seasonal flooding, and irrigation
D)   warm and wet climate, wet soils, seasonal flooding, and irrigation

Question 11

Egyptian expeditions such as Queen Hatshepsut's mission to Punt reveal all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)   Despite the phenomenal wealth enjoyed by the people of Punt, they could not produce food in quantities large enough to export it to others.
B)   Egyptian society produced such an abundance of grain that its Pharaoh could use it to purchase rare and expensive luxuries from other regions.
C)   Egyptian naval technology was so immature that it required five vessels to transport a few incense trees back to Egypt.
D)   Queen Hatshepsut ruled effectively as a Pharaoh aware of Egypt's power and position in relation to its neighbors.

Question 12

Hammurabi was king of Babylon around

Accepted Answer

A)   2050 B.C.E.
B)   1950 B.C.E.
C)   1850 B.C.E.
D)   1750 B.C.E.

Question 13

In most river civilizations, one area of production that women tended to dominate was

Accepted Answer

A)   pottery.
B)   agriculture.
C)   making textiles.
D)   painted decoration.

Question 14

What new tools of cultural expression did agriculture make possible? Who tended to control these tools, and what was the result?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What new tools of cultural expression did...

Question 15

When we say that people in early agricultural societies tended to be linked "vertically" rather than "horizontally," we mean that

Accepted Answer

A)   they were organized in groups linked by some form of common allegiance.
B)   they were organized in groups ranked with one above the other.
C)   they were organized in groups linked by their class in society.
D)   they were organized in groups ranked according to political and economic power.

Question 16

Why are the ways a civilization thought, felt, and behaved not adequately conveyed by labels such as "Bronze Age"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why are the ways a civilization thought,...

Question 17

What was most significant about the conquest of the Yangtze River Valley during the period of the Shang dynasty for the resilience of Chinese culture?

Accepted Answer

A)   The additional population was key to China's power.
B)   It provided complementary environments to the state.
C)   The Yangtze was richer than the Yellow River Valley.
D)   It had little influence on the resilience of Chinese culture.

Question 18

A characteristic of early Chinese cities was

Accepted Answer

A)   the building of temples only in the center of the city.
B)   the building of larger houses for the ruler.
C)   that the ruler's house was about the same as other houses.
D)   the lack of marketplaces for the exchange of goods.

Question 19

What is the connection between the development of writing in the river valley civilizations and our interest in and knowledge of them?
In Perspective

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the connection between the development...

Question 20

In the Indus Valley, cities

Accepted Answer

A)   were large, but few in number.
B)   were many in number and had similar layouts.
C)   were many, but had very different layouts.
D)   were few in number and were built on grid plans.

Exam 3: The Great River Valleys: Accelerating Change and Developing States