benchmark 1

In which region of the world did Islam begin?

• Arabian Peninsula

• Gobi Desert

• Korean Peninsula

• Sahara Desert

This is a map of Europe and Asia. Which numbered location is the city of Constantinople?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Which situation best shows an action taken by Zheng He to expand Chinese territory?

• He created a massive fleet of ships to trade with India, Africa, and the Middle East.

• He commanded his soldiers to take over and defend the Silk Road.

• He funded and oversaw the construction of the Forbidden City.

• He ordered the rebuilding of the Great Wall.

This is a list of key trade routes used by the Ottoman Empire. How did the development of these trade routes impact Asia, Africa, and Europe during the 1700s?

• They prevented the development of regional rivalries.

• They limited the spread of goods and technologies.

• They led to geographic isolation.

• They allowed increased cultural diffusion.

For this item, drag the answer into the box. This chart describes a period of Asian history. Which era of Asian history completes this chart?

How did Marco Polo’s writing affect European interest in China?

• His writing made more Europeans afraid to travel outside the continent of Europe.

• His writing inspired many Europeans to travel along the Silk Road.

• His writing made it seem impossible for Europeans to reach China by land.

• His writing caused many Europeans to adopt Chinese religious practices.

This is an excerpt from Shintoism by T. Keiroku. Shinto is a system of [ceremonies] for the [reverence] of the [deceased] personalities closely connected with our existence and our national history—in other words, a systematized and complicated form of [honoring] emblems of our ancestors and our national heroes. According to this excerpt, which is a core belief of Shintoism?

• ancestor worship

• church attendance

• isolationism

• reincarnation

During the reunification of China, what allowed goods and ideas like Buddhism to spread?

• construction of the Grand Canal

• destruction of the Great Wall

• sea travels of Zheng He

• flooding of the Yangtze River

This is a map of the lands conquered by the Mongol Empire by 1227 CE. Based on this map, which statement is true?

• The Mongol Empire was unable to conquer India.

• The Mongol Empire conquered parts of Northern Africa.

• The Mongol Empire was unable to conquer parts of China.

• The Mongol Empire conquered all of Asia.

During the 12th century, Japan experienced a rise in focus on which aspect of society?

• aristocracy

• conflict

• expansionism

• militarism