Guided Reading Activity - Life in the Americas (Lesson 3)

Where and when did Mayan culture take shape, and how long did that civilization last?

• In Mesoamerica around 2000 BCE, lasting until the 16th century CE

• In South America around 500 BCE, lasting until the 10th century CE

• In North America around 1000 CE, lasting until the 18th century CE

• In Europe around 3000 BCE, lasting until the 5th century CE

B. How did the Maya overcome the challenges of the environment in which they settled?

• By building irrigation systems and raised fields

• By moving to a different region

• By relying only on hunting and gathering

• By avoiding agriculture entirely

The Maya empire was organized as:

• a single unified kingdom

• a collection of city-states

• a democracy

• a nomadic tribe

The Maya social classes included which of the following groups?

• Nobles, priests, merchants, peasants, and slaves

• Kings, warriors, artists, and scientists

• Farmers, engineers, doctors, and teachers

• Only nobles and peasants

What were some advances made by Maya culture before its collapse in 900 C.E.?

• The Maya developed a complex writing system and accurate calendar.

• The Maya invented the steam engine.

• The Maya built the Great Wall of China.

• The Maya discovered electricity.

The Aztec civilization emerged in:

• Northern Europe in the 10th century

• Central Mexico in the 14th century

• South America in the 12th century

• Eastern Asia in the 15th century

The Aztec city of Tenochtitlán took shape on an island in Lake Texcoco and was significant because:

• It was the capital and center of Aztec civilization.

• It was a small village with little influence.

• It was a trading post for Spanish explorers.

• It was abandoned shortly after its founding.

What was the Aztec empire like by 1500 C.E.?

• It was a small, isolated community.

• It was a large, powerful empire with a complex society.

• It was a nomadic group with no permanent settlements.

• It was under the control of European powers.

Aztec society was organized in which of the following ways?

• By a strict social hierarchy with nobles, commoners, serfs, and slaves

• As a democracy with equal rights for all citizens

• By a system of elected representatives

• With no formal social structure

The Inca built their empire by:

• engaging in trade and peaceful negotiations only

• conquering neighboring peoples and expanding their territory

• isolating themselves from other civilizations

• relying solely on agriculture