Early American Civilization Unit Test

The Maya and Aztec civilizations were located in ________. The Inca civilization was located in __________.

• North America; Central America

• Mesoamerica; South America

• Central America; South America

• South America; Mesoamerica

The text states, “Cities were hubs of commerce where people shared ideas and traded goods.” What does commerce mean in this sentence?

• The beliefs, traditions, and way of life shared by a group of people

• A large territory or group of people under the total control of a ruler or government

• An activity done for pleasure or sport

• The buying and selling of goods or services

Which of the following is a characteristic of myths?

• They help explain the facts about how and why things happen

• They are songs that people sing

• They are passed along from one generation to the next

• They record the history of a group of people

According to the Maya creation myth, the Creators and Makers attempted to make people out of 3 different materials. Two attempts failed and the third was successful. Which material did they use to successfully create people?

• clay

• stone

• corn

• wood

The Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations are called the pre-Columbian civilizations because…

• They developed before Christopher Columbus’s first voyage to the Americas in 1492.

• They developed after Christopher Columbus’s first voyage to the Americas in 1492.

• They developed before South America’s Republic of Colombia in 1885.

• They developed after South America’s Republic of Colombia in 1885.

Both Aztec and Inca civilizations used tribute systems in which their citizens were forced to:

• become warriors

• pay a goods tax

• carve stelae

• give gifts to the gods

All three early American civilizations:

• Were frequently at war with one another

• Spoke with the same language

• Passed down creation myths about how Earth and people were created

• Created advanced road systems

Circle any of the items below that are key characteristics of a civilization. Circle all that apply.

• Government and laws

• A writing system

• Technology

• Art and architecture

• Development of farming and cities

The Maya adapted to their environment by (circle all that apply)

• Building chinampas

• Creating step terraces

• Building aqueducts

• Using slash and burn techniques

The Aztec adapted to their environment by (circle all that apply)

• Building chinampas

• Creating step terraces

• Building aqueducts

• Using slash and burn techniques