Hinduism

The Vedic religion is named for the Vedas, which are

• a collection of sacred texts.

• a group of people from Europe.

• the three most important deities.

• the temples where rituals were performed.

Which of these is the best reason for someone in India to study Sanskrit?

• to read the ancient texts

• to understand road signs

• to run for political office

• to talk to ordinary people

In the caste system, how were people in India placed into a certain social class?

• skill

• birth

• wealth

• education

Why did Untouchables live in separate communities?

• They wanted to stay pure.

• They shared all their goods.

• They had to eat a special diet.

• They were considered unclean.

To Hindus, the soul, or atman, is a part of

• Shiva

• the sun

• Brahman

• the ocean

In some Hindu traditions, Brahma is the creator and Vishnu is the preserver. What does Shiva do?

• teach

• perfect

• enlarge

• destroy

The festival of Divali, which begins the Hindu New Year, celebrates

• the changing of the seasons.

• the victory of good over evil.

• the food from a good harvest.

• the long life of the wise elders.

Which animal became a symbol for the Hindu belief in reverence for life?

• lion

• cow

• camel

• elephant

How was the Hindu belief about karma related to the caste system?

• People's caste determines which deities they worship.

• People in the lowest castes will come back as animals.

• People in different castes work different kinds of jobs.

• People are in a caste because of how they lived in past lives.

Which job was a Shudra most likely to do?

• herd sheep

• plow a field

• interpret religious law

• hold a government post