Social Studies 8 Final Exam Review

Grace and Daniel are teaming up for their history project, diving into the fascinating worldviews of ancient civilizations. As they compare traditional Japanese and Aztec societies, they discover an interesting similarity in what these cultures believed about their own people. What belief did both traditional Japanese and Aztec worldviews share?

• The people of their nation were favoured by the Gods

• The destiny of their nation was to conquer the world

• Political leaders were ordinary human beings worthy of respect

• Economic growth and trade were less important than creating an empire

Amelia, Liam, and Aarav are working together on a geography project about Japan. They discover that Japan is an island nation and are discussing its pros and cons. Which of the following statements describes a disadvantage of Japan's island location that they might include in their report?

• An island location helped to protect Japan from foreign invaders.

• Since Japan is an island, the resources of the sea helped to feed and employ the Japanese people.

• An island location allowed Japan to close itself to foreign influences.

• Since Japan is an island, trade and contact with other nations is more difficult.

Neha and her friends Thomas and Amelia are on a history adventure! They’re exploring how different groups lived together in the same region. Neha discovers the fascinating contact and relations between the Japanese people and the Ainu people of Japan. Which of the following situations is most similar to what Neha and her friends are studying?

• Italian and Muslim merchants during the Renaissance

• European settlers and Aboriginal Canadians in North America

• European traders and Asian merchants in the trade for spices

• African leaders and European slave traders in the Age of Exploration

Isabella, Avery, and Aiden are working together on a project about life in Japan. They discover that people there have to deal with tsunamis, typhoons, and not much land for farming. Under which of the following criteria could all these be classified?

• Causes of frequent periods of economic decline in Japanese history

• Results of the closeness of Japan to the Pacific Ocean

• Geographic challenges for the Japanese people

• Natural advantages of the island nation of Japan

Amelia, Daniel, and Lucas are exploring Japan's neighbours in their geography class. Their teacher gives them a riddle: "Which neighbour of Japan is being described?" Can you help them solve it?

• Korea

• China

• Russia

• United States of America

Imagine Aarav, Ellie, and Avery work at a modern company where the management suddenly rolls out new rules: all big decisions must go through the boss, everyone has to follow the same procedures, and department heads can't make choices on their own anymore. What is the main goal behind these changes?

• Limit the ability of the employees to rebel

• Restrict the strength of the CEO

• Increase the power of the central management

• Expand the powers of the department heads

Imagine you’re in a small town where Aarav and Charlotte are the powerful leaders. They grant land to local farmers, but only if the farmers promise loyalty and share a portion of their crops. Which of the actions below best match the key features of mediaeval feudalism in Europe?

• Actions 1 and 2

• Actions 1 and 3

• Actions 2 and 4

• Actions 3 and 4

Noah and Avery are exploring the fascinating world of Edo Japan. They come across a legendary group described as “a warrior class, living according to a strict code of honour and dedicated to serving one master.” Which group are they learning about?

• The daimyo

• The Ainu

• The samurai

• The shogun

Isabella, Aarav, and Olivia each have unique jobs in their lively town—one is a farmer, one is a craftsperson, and one is a shopkeeper. Imagine them working together to keep their town running smoothly! In what way are their roles in the town most similar?

• Expected to fight during times of emergency

• Encouraged to work hard in order to increase their social status

• Expected to obey without question the rules imposed on them by the government

• Encouraged to assist local government in order to make the government of the nation more efficient

Imagine Eesha, Aarav, and Neha are part of a unique community where everyone is expected to respect their elders, follow the rules set by leaders, and always help those to whom they owe responsibility. The community believes that if everyone does their part, life will be peaceful and orderly.

10. In Edo Japan, the beliefs described above would most likely have been held by a person who followed which philosophy?

• Shintoism

• Confucianism

• Buddhism

• Taiism