World Benchmark 2 2024

Which of the following was a result of the publication of Justinian’s Code?

• Byzantine law became codified.

• The emperor became more powerful.

• Non-Christians were not discriminated against.

• Women were officially given some property rights.

Answer explanation

The publication of Justinian’s Code resulted in the codification of Byzantine law, providing a structured legal framework that organized and clarified existing laws, making it the correct answer.

What does the practice of the Eastern Orthodox religion and the use of the Cyrillic alphabet in Russia indicate?

• Russia was influenced by cultural diffusion.

• Russia was conquered by the Byzantine Empire.

• Russia’s leaders eliminated the influence of the Mongols.

• Russia’s geographic isolation led to isolation from the rest of the world.

Answer explanation

The practice of Eastern Orthodox religion and the Cyrillic alphabet in Russia shows cultural diffusion from the Byzantine Empire, indicating that Russia adopted these elements through interaction rather than isolation or conquest.

What was the Great Schism of 1054?

• The division of the Byzantine Empire into five provinces

• The social division of the Byzantine citizens into a strict social class system

• The split of the Christian Church into Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic

• The separation of the political and religious authority of the Byzantine emperors and the patriarchs

Answer explanation

The Great Schism of 1054 was a significant event that resulted in the split of the Christian Church into Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic branches, marking a major division in Christianity.

What might explain why the fall of Constantinople would affect the rest of the world?

• Constantinople was an important trading center.

• Constantinople was a city located on the Mediterranean Sea.

• Gold was the primary commodity that China sent to Constantinople.

• Africans traded more goods in Constantinople than in any other area.

Answer explanation

The fall of Constantinople impacted global trade as it was a crucial trading center connecting Europe and Asia. Its loss disrupted trade routes, affecting economies and commerce worldwide.

Which statement about the Mongols is supported by the information in the map?

• The Yuan dynasty kept China isolated from outside influence.

• Most of the Chinese people lived in the river valleys.

• The city of Samarkand was part of the Yuan Empire.

• Kublai Khan and Genghis Khan extended Mongol influence to much of Asia.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that Kublai Khan and Genghis Khan significantly expanded Mongol influence across Asia, as shown in the map, which illustrates the vast territories they controlled.

The Mongols were a nomadic pastoral society with a homeland on the vast Central Asian steppe. Originally a loose confederation of tribes, they were united by Chinggis Khan in 1206. Which THREE statements correctly describe the impact of the Mongols?

• The Mongols of China adopted many cultural traditions of the Chinese, such as converting to Christianity.

• The regions controlled by the Mongols benefited from a massive expansion in Eurasian trade along the Silk Road.

• The centralized command structure developed by Chinggis Khan and advanced military tactics contributed to success.

• The Mongol rulers of Russia were mostly concerned with extracting tribute and profiting from trade along the Silk Road.

• The Mongol tax burden was very low and led to an economic surplus which was made better by the introduction of paper money to the economy by the Mongol overlords.

Answer explanation

The Mongols significantly boosted Eurasian trade along the Silk Road, utilized a strong command structure and military tactics for success, and maintained a low tax burden that fostered economic surplus, aided by paper money.

Which regions of the world did Islam successfully spread to during its Golden Age?

• Southwest Asia, North Africa, Central Asia

• Southwest Asia, North Africa, The Americas

• Southwest Asia, Europe, Central Africa

• The Americas, Europe, Central Asia

Answer explanation

During its Golden Age, Islam spread significantly across Southwest Asia, North Africa, and Central Asia, establishing a vast cultural and scientific influence in these regions, making this the correct choice.

What was the catalyst of the split between the Sunni and Shi'a Muslims?

• the choice of caliph

• the belief in one God

• the acceptance of the Quran

• the required pilgrimage to Mecca

Answer explanation

The split between Sunni and Shi'a Muslims originated from a disagreement over the rightful choice of caliph after the Prophet Muhammad's death, leading to differing beliefs about leadership in the Muslim community.

How did the trade routes of the Muslim Empire impact their economy?

• The moral code of Islam made trade impossible.

• The political instability of this area made it difficult to travel.

• The lack of technological advancement made trading difficult.

• The exchange of goods between countries made trade profitable.

Answer explanation

The exchange of goods between countries facilitated trade, leading to economic prosperity in the Muslim Empire. This interaction allowed for diverse products and wealth accumulation, making trade highly profitable.

Which of the following was an invention of Islamic scholars?

• algebra

• astronomy

• the compass

• the printing press

Answer explanation

Algebra, developed by Islamic scholars like Al-Khwarizmi, is a significant mathematical invention. While astronomy was advanced by them, the compass and printing press were not Islamic inventions.