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Chapter 16 The Early Americas

Total questions: 50

Worksheet time: 25mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Central America is also sometimes called Mesoamerica. What does Mesoamerica mean?

a)

In the middle of the Americas

b)

land surrounded by water on 3 sides

c)

South America

d)

North America

2.

The Mayans built their civilization ....

a)

in Mexico

b)

around the Yucatan Peninsula

c)

In South America

d)

in Europe

3.

What was the result of mastering agriculture?

a)

the population grew

b)

people had time to build cities

c)

trade expanded

d)

all of the above

4.

Kings and religious leaders were part of the elite class. What does elite mean?

a)

people of the lowest class

b)

people of the middle class

c)

people of the highest class

d)

people with no class

5.

Why would understanding the seasons be important to ancient civilizations?

a)

to know when to celebrate Christmas

b)

to have better farming cycles

c)

to know when to wear a sweater

d)

why not?

6.

What is a synonym for agriculture?

a)

farming

b)

food

c)

ancient

d)

happy

7.

True or False: There are no more Mayans on Earth.

a)

True

b)

False

8.

"As Mayan cities grew, farmers needed to produce more food. They were very innovative in finding new ways to farm more land." Which word best defines"innovative"?

a)

creative

b)

money

c)

calendars

d)

boring

9.

The Mayans were polytheistic. What does the prefix "poly" mean?

a)

few

b)

one

c)

many

d)

none

10.

What about the Mayan civilization is still a mystery to historians?

a)

What they accomplished

b)

Why they abandoned their cities

c)

Where they were located

d)

What their favorite sports game was

11.

Where were the Aztecs located?

a)

North America

b)

South America

c)

Africa

d)

Asia

12.

When did the Aztec civilization begin?

a)

1521

b)

1428

c)

1200

d)

1325

13.

The Aztec's capital city was built in the middle of Lake __________.

a)

Michigan

b)

Tenochtitlan

c)

Texcoco

d)

Superior

14.

What was the capitol of the Aztec empire?

a)

Tenochan

b)

Tenochtitlan

c)

Miamoi

d)

Mexico city

15.

The Aztec were a society of fierce ____________.

a)

Warriors

b)

Hunters

c)

Fishermen

d)

Actors

16.

A Chinampa is ....

a)

the name used for a baby monkey

b)

a type of crop

c)

a floating garden

d)

another word for chin

17.

What did the Aztec religion demand that they do to honor gods and keep away the evil?

a)

pray

b)

attend ceremonies

c)

perform human sacrifices

d)

give the emperor food

18.

Which word best describes the Aztec religion?

a)

monotheistic

b)

Polytheistic

c)

Atheist

d)

Catholic

19.

Why did the Aztecs in Tenochtitlán build the things listed below?

• dikes

• bridges

• canals

a)

because they followed the seasons

b)

because they traveled frequently

c)

because they ruled a large empire

d)

because they lived on a large island surrounded by water

20.

Because of the lack of available farmland, the Aztecs built _________________

a)

causeways

b)

chinampas

c)

irrigation canals

d)

terraces

21.

Who conquered the Aztec Empire?

a)

Pizarro

b)

Hernan Cortes

c)

Hernando DeSoto

d)

Christopher Columbus

22.

Which color on the map represents where the Aztec civilization was located?

a)

blue

b)

red

c)

gray

d)

green

23.

The Aztecs built one of the most advanced civilizations because they were skilled engineers and architects

a)

True

b)

False

24.

The Aztec civilization collapsed in _____.

a)

1325

b)

1512

c)

1521

d)

1502

25.

What technologies did the Aztecs develop? Select all that apply

a)

electricity

b)

heiroglyphics

c)

number system

d)

internet

e)

calendar system

26.

Where did the Inca live?

a)

Yucatan Peninsula

b)

South America, specifically mostly modern Peru

c)

Central Mexico

27.

The Andes

a)

are a mountain range where the Inca Empire was established

b)

are a civilization that was built in central Mexico

c)

are a series of lakes in Peru

28.

The capital of the Inca Empire was at

a)

Tenochtitlan

b)

Texcoco

c)

Copan

d)

Cusco

29.

Whats the name of the stone city built high up in the Andes including religious temples, royal residences, and houses for workers?

a)

Andes

b)

Cusco

c)

Machu Picchu

d)

Nahuatl

30.

Cutting flat steps or terraces into the side of a mountain to have more land to cultivate is known as

a)

tribute

b)

quechua

c)

terrace farming

d)

chinampas farming

31.

The Inca has ______ for meat and wool and for transporting goods and people across the mountains.

a)

horses

b)

llamas

c)

alpaca and llamas

d)

sheep

32.

Why is so little known about the early history of the Incas?

a)

Aztecs took their books

b)

There was a bad fire

c)

They didn't have a system of writing

d)

Their history books were hidden in Machu Picchu

33.
Who led the Spanish to conquer the Incas?
a)
Pizarro
b)
the gods
c)
Cortes
d)
Montezuma
34.

What system of farming did the Inca develop in order to farm in the mountains?

a)

Chinampas

b)

Irrigation

c)

Aqueducts

d)

Terrace Farming

35.

What color represents where the Inca civilization was?

a)

blue

b)

red

c)

gray

d)

green

36.

What were the Spanish looking for when they landed on the Caribbean coast in 1532?

a)

the Inca god

b)

their boat

c)

fountain of youth

d)

gold

37.
What did the Incas use to carry their goods on the roads?
a)
horses
b)
carts
c)
camels
d)
llamas
38.
Which current day country is NOT where the Incas lived?
a)
Mexico
b)
Peru
c)
Argentina
d)
Ecuador
39.
What did Inca families live in? 
a)
Stone houses 
b)
Igloos
c)
Tepees 
d)
Huts
40.
The city of Machu Picchu is located __________
a)
on the Pacific coast 
b)
high in the Andes Moutains
c)
in a valley in Ecuador
d)
near the coast of Brazil
41.

The Americas are made up of North America, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

a)

True

b)

False

42.

One of the most difficult challenges faced by the ancient Maya were the sinkholes that were found in southern Mexico and Central America.

a)

True

b)

False

43.

powerful ruler who expanded the Aztec empire and built temples, aqueducts, and roads

a)

Machu Picchu

b)

Montezuma I

c)

hogan

d)

isthmus

e)

Mesoamerica

44.

region between central Mexico and Costa Rica

a)

Machu Picchu

b)

Montezuma I

c)

hogan

d)

isthmus

e)

Mesoamerica

45.

According to some scientists, how did ancient people cross from Asia to North America?

a)

across a large glacier

b)

by Viking ship

c)

using a land bridge

d)

using a primitive raft

46.

Where was the great Aztec city of Tenochtitlán located?

a)

on a swampy lake island

b)

in the desert

c)

in the mountains

d)

on the coastline

47.

How were the Aztec and Inca similar?

a)

 Power was decentralized

b)

Some independence was granted to conquer.

c)

 A centralized government controlled the empire.

d)

 Priests sacrificed humans to please the gods.

48.
Which of the following civilizations lived in the Andes Mountains of South America?
a)
Incas
b)
Aztecs
c)
Mayans
d)
Olmecs
49.
They built pyramids, studied astronomy, and created a highly accurate calendar.
a)
Mayans
b)
Toltecs
c)
Olmecs
d)
Aztecs
50.
These  were Spanish conquerors of the "new world".
They brought horses, firearms, and diseases in large caravel ships.
a)
Payasos
b)
Tributaries
c)
Banditos 
d)
Conquistadors