Classical Civilizations Review 1.1

Which of the following best describes Indian culture during the rule of the Gupta Empire?

• A Buddhist traditions dominated, while Hindu customs were viewed unfavorably.

• B Hindu culture flourished with many works of art and literature being produced.

• C Cultural pursuits were prohibited so people could spend their time in meditation.

• D Indian scholars were persecuted by political leaders who felt threatened by their ideas.

Which belief system gained prominence in India during the Mauryan Empire?

• F Buddhism

• G Hinduism

• H Christianity

• J Confucianism

Why did Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi adopt a legalist philosophy of governing after gaining power in China?

• A He wanted peasants to abandon their Buddhist practices and customs.

• B He understood that filial piety along with duty to society was very important.

• C He believed that strong laws and punishments would bring about social order.

• D He wanted to speed up the rebuilding of the military after defeating the Zhou.

How did the Han Dynasty create a centralized government and complex bureaucracy in China?

• F Elected groups of twenty families were chosen to serve as advisers to the emperor.

• G Laws were passed restricting the size of the government and the number of officials.

• H A system of civil services exams was established for the selection of government officials.

• J A series of civil wars was fought and victorious generals became governors in the provinces.

Which of the following best describes the factors that contributed to the collapse of the Roman Empire and Han China?

• A Internal rebellions led by peasant groups eventually resulted in the overthrow of both empires.

• B Corruption in the government, social instability and the inability to manage vast borders eventually doomed both empires.

• C A failure to standardize coinage along with high tariffs on trade resulted in a disruptive trade system and eventual decline of the two empires.

• D Adoption of new religious practices among the elite political leaders created a vacuum of leadership and eventual decay of leadership in the empires.

How did Judaism differ from many other early religions prior to the classical period?

• F Judaism imposed strict dietary laws.

• G Judaism emphasized a belief in one God.

• H Judaism relied on the interpretations of religious scholars.

• J Judaism encouraged missionaries to convert non-believers.

Which of the following is a central idea of Hinduism?

• F Followers should worship one god.

• G All believers are equal in the eyes of God.

• H Society is organized into rigid social classes.

• J Salvation is obtained by following strict dietary laws.

Siddhartha Gautama’s quest for personal enlightenment began with —

• A observing suffering in the world

• B developing a guide to meditation

• C rejecting the idea of monotheism

• D taking political power from the king

Which objective is a primary goal of Confucianism?

• F Separate society into distinct social classes

• G Restore social order through proper behavior

• H Gain salvation through belief in a personal god

• J Achieve a higher spiritual state through self-sacrifice

How are the origins of Hinduism and Buddhism similar?

• A Both were founded at the same time.

• B Both began in the same modern-day country.

• C Both implemented a caste system for social classes.

• D Both considered Siddhartha Gautama as the principal founder.