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.

What change marked the transition from early Vedic religion to Brahmanism to Hinduism?

• As the land became crowded, many people moved to the cities.

• As scholars learned Sanskrit, the oral traditions were written down.

• As rituals grew more complex, a special class of priests arose to perform them.

• As different groups moved into India, their gods became part of the religion.

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

• by skill

• by birth

• by wealth

• by education

Which job would be part of a Shudras (farmers) dharma?

• interpret religious law

• plow a field

• defend the castle

• hold a government post

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, is part of...

• Shiva.

• the sun god.

• Brahman.

• the Ganges river.

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

• teach

• perfect

• enlarge

• destroy

What did Hindus mean by varna dharma?

• Each caste had its own duties.

• Caste determines social status.

• People married outside their caste.

• Religious texts were worshiped by the lowest castes.

Which belief is NOT part of common dharma?

• nonviolence

• importance of marriage

• sharing food with others

• unwillingness to drink milk and eat butter

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

• the lion

• the cow

• the camel

• the elephant