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Worksheets

Early Civilizations

Total questions: 18

Worksheet time: 9mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which of the following DOES NOT commonly characterize the development of civilization

a)

large advanced cities

b)

technology

c)

tribal councils

d)

record keeping

2.

Which of the following is a contribution of the Phoenicians that is still used today?

a)

the use of iron in tools and weapons

b)

the invention of a simple alphabet

c)

the introduction of Indo-European languages to Europe

d)

the invention of gunpowder

3.

Which of the following is a goal of Hammurabi's code?

a)

emphasize the importance of life after death

b)

promote trade with peoples from other lands

c)

provide kings with knowledge on how to rule

d)

establish a written system of laws

4.

What is the term for people who believe in more than one god?

a)

monotheists

b)

polytheists

c)

prophets

d)

ziggurats

5.

What is the drawing a representation of?

a)

Egyptian Hieroglyphics

b)

Mesopotamia Cuneiform

c)

a Phoenician bill of sale

d)

Hebrew writing

6.

What did the discovery of the Rosetta Stone lead to?

a)

the finding of Tutankhamen’s tomb

b)

the understanding of Sumerian cuneiform

c)

the translation of Egyptian hieroglyphics

d)

the location of the Valley of the Kings

7.

What did the Shang Dynasty write symbols on for the purpose of foretelling the future?

a)

stone from the Great Wall

b)

a sheep's skin

c)

oracle bones

d)

tea leaves

8.

How did the Mandate of Heaven affect government in China?

a)

It led to long periods of war among families.

b)

Religious leaders read oracle bones to select new rulers.

c)

The ruler received a direct mandate from heaven that he should resign.

d)

It allowed new rulers to justify the overthrow of a declining dynasty.

9.

In Chinese history, how is “dynasty” defined?

a)

a family that passed the imperial title from generation to generation

b)

any emperor who lasted more than two decades

c)

kings dominated by foreign interests

d)

powerful bureaucrats who ran the state

10.

What was the main purpose of the Egyptian pyramids?

a)

They served as tombs for the pharaohs.

b)

They were temples used in worship of Egyptian gods.

c)

They were palaces that the kings lived in.

d)

They were centers of learning for the priestly class.

11.

In ancient India, the Aryans developed a distinctive social class system. What was it called?

a)

social pyramid

b)

caste system

c)

moksha

d)

nirvana

12.

In traditional Chinese culture, which philosophy had the greatest influence on the development of culture, society, and politics due to the emphasis on relationships?

a)

Confucianism

b)

Shintoism

c)

Taoism

d)

Buddhism

13.

The river valley civilization that produced the painting believed in mummifying the dead for the afterlife. Which civilization does the painting represent?

a)

Mesopotamia

b)

the Nile River Valley

c)

the Indus River Valley

d)

Ancient China

14.

What are the most sacred writings of the Jewish religion, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible called?

a)

the Torah

b)

the Old Testament

c)

the Ten Commandments

d)

the Four Noble Truths

15.

The term “pharaoh” applies to the god-kings that ruled over which ancient civilization?

a)

Mesopotamia

b)

Nile River Valley

c)

Israel

d)

China

16.

In Buddhism, what is the release from selfishness and pain is known as?

a)

dharma

b)

moksha

c)

nirvana

d)

reincarnation

17.

Who was the Chinese philosopher who emphasized good behavior, harmonious relationships, and wise governing?

a)

Laozi

b)

Confucius

c)

Shi Huandgi

d)

Siddhartha Gautama

18.

Often referred to as the “enlightened one” by his followers, who was the founder of Buddhism?

a)

Abraham

b)

Hammurabi

c)

Sargon of Akkad

d)

Siddhartha Gautama