Study Guide: Our Colonial Heritage

Why did the first Americans migrate from Asia to the Americas?

• in search of food

• to locate fertile farmland

• to flee from hostile tribes

• in search of a better climate

Which of these best explains why different cultural regions formed in North America?

• A. Groups settled in the areas at various times.

• B. Groups chose where they lived based on their special skills.

• C. Groups needed to distinguish themselves from other groups.

• D. Groups adapted to the environments in which they settled.

Which of these was most important to the survival of the American Indians?

• land and home ownership

• trade to meet their daily needs

• ability to use natural resources

• warm and mild climate conditions

Which of these was most important in determining the way of life of an American Indian group?

• food sources

• language skills

• land ownership

• religious celebrations

American Indians of which region lived in a very arid (dry) climate?

• California

• Great Basin

• Plateau

• Southwest

American Indians who lived on the Plains wore clothing made from animal hides. Which of these was an important economic activity in this region?

• fishing

• mining

• hunting

• gathering

Which of these describes one way American Indians adapted the environment to meet their needs?

• Arctic people raised livestock.

• Southwest people made many things with corn.

• Great Plains people made clothing from animal hides.

• Eastern Woodlands people burned trees to plant corn.

Which of these was a major motivation for European expeditions?

• profit

• leisure

• freedom

• education

How did Marco Polo encourage European exploration?

• He became wealthy after conquering the Incas.

• He wrote a book about his travels in Asia.

• He told stories about his trip around the tip of Africa.

• He brought treasures back from his journey to the Americas.

Which of these was a goal of the first European explorers?

• to establish trading posts

• to find a water route to Asia

• to exchange ideas with native peoples

• to explore North and South America