The Maya: Lesson Quiz

Why did farmers in Mesoamerica move their farms from time to time?

• As their families grew, farmers needed larger farms.

• Conquering armies confiscated their land and forced them to leave.

• Heavy rains flooded their fields, forcing them to find new lands.

• The soil became depleted and could no longer support farming.

What was one of the factors that may have caused the Maya cities to fall into ruin between 800 and 1000 CE?

• The Olmecs invaded the Maya cities.

• The Spanish conquered the Maya.

• The Maya buildings were poorly constructed.

• There was a food shortage due to drought.

What concept did the Mayans understand before the Europeans?

• architecture

• calendars

• hieroglyphs

• the number zero

How have modern scholars learned much of their information about the Maya?

• from printed books

• from oral history

• from glyphs carved in stone

• from Spanish records

Match the following Mayan concepts with their descriptions:

• Writing system

• Number zero

• Mathematical concept

• Calendars

• Timekeeping system

• Hieroglyphics

• Building design

• Architecture

Match the following reasons for Mayan farmers moving their farms: 1) Larger families 2) Confiscated land 3) Flooded fields 4) Worn-out soil

• Flooded fields

• No longer support farming

• Larger families

• Forced to leave

• Confiscated land

• Find new land

• Worn-out soil

• Needed larger farms

Match the following reasons for the fall of Mayan cities: 1) Olmec invasion 2) Spanish conquest 3) Poor construction 4) Drought

• Did not happen

• Caused food shortages

• Conquered the Maya

• Buildings were weak

• Caused food shortages

• Conquered the Maya

• Buildings were weak

• Did not happen

What was a significant achievement of the Mayan civilization in the field of astronomy?

• They built the first telescope.

• They accurately predicted solar eclipses.

• They discovered the planet Neptune.

• They invented the astrolabe.

What agricultural technique did the Mayans use to adapt to their environment?

• Terrace farming on mountain slopes.

• Hydroponic farming in greenhouses.

• Slash-and-burn agriculture in forests.

• Vertical farming in urban areas.

What role did the Mayan ball game play in their society?

• It was purely a recreational activity.

• It was a form of military training.

• It had religious and ceremonial significance.

• It was a method for selecting leaders.