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Early Civilizations of Latin America

Total questions: 70

Worksheet time: 41mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The main contribution of this civilization was the creation of large stone heads

a)

Olmec

b)

Mayans

c)

Aztecs

d)

Incas

2.

This Latin American civilization built their capital city in the middle of a lake.

a)

Olmec

b)

Mayans

c)

Aztecs

d)

Incans

3.

This Latin American civilization made a number of mathematical contributions and came up with the concept of zero.

a)

Olmec

b)

Mayans

c)

Aztecs

d)

Incans

4.

This Latin American civilization built a mountain city called Machu Picchu.

a)

Olmec

b)

Mayans

c)

Aztecs

d)

Incans

5.

This Latin American civilization created a large alphabet and a very accurate solar calendar.

a)

Olmec

b)

Mayans

c)

Aztecs

d)

Incans

6.

This was the most militaristic of all the Latin American civilizations and they conquered up to 15 million people.

a)

Olmec

b)

Mayans

c)

Aztecs

d)

Incans

7.

This civilization was the first to come up with the Mesoamerican Ball Game.

a)

Olmec

b)

Mayans

c)

Aztecs

d)

Incans

8.

This civilization was the first to introduce the potato to people outside of Latin America.

a)

Olmec

b)

Mayans

c)

Aztecs

d)

Incans

9.

What is an isthmus?

a)
A mountain range separating two regions.
b)
A wide expanse of water connecting two larger bodies of water.
c)
A type of desert landscape.
d)
A narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas.
10.

Which of the following civilizations were rediscovered when a giant stone head was found?

a)
Aztec
b)
Inca
c)
Maya
d)
Olmec
11.

What was the only Mesoamerica civilization to develop a fully complete written language?

a)
Inca civilization
b)
Aztec civilization
c)
Maya civilization
d)
Olmec civilization
12.

In Aztec & Mayan culture, what was the most sacred thing that could be offered to the gods?

a)
Prayers
b)

Blood

c)
Gold
d)

Food

13.

What was the staple crop of the Mayan & Aztec Civilizations?

a)

Maize

b)
Potatoes
c)
Rice
d)
Wheat
14.

Which Mesoamerican civilization were made up of independent city-states run by local rulers

a)

Toltecs

b)

Maya

c)

Inca

d)

Aztecs

15.

The Maya developed an advanced understanding of:

a)

Electricity

b)

Astronomy

c)

Genetics

d)

Chemistry

16.

Which of these was not a reason why Europeans began to explore during the Age of Exploration?

a)

Desire for riches through trade & conquest

b)

Desire for fame and glory through their adventures

c)

Desire to escape overpopulation in Europe

d)

Desire to spread their religion to new peoples

17.
A transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Western and Eastern hemispheres.
a)
Mercantilism
b)
Colombian Exchange
c)
Treaty of Tordesillas
d)
Spanish Armada
18.

What Native American tribe did Columbus first encounter?

a)

The Cherokee

b)

The Iroquois

c)

The Sioux

d)

The Taino

19.

Roughly how many people are thought to have died as a result of Christopher Columbus' rule of the Spanish Caribbean?

a)

1,000,000

b)

500,000

c)

3,000,000

d)

250,000

20.
Where are the Inca located? 
a)
Sierra Madre Mountains 
b)
Alps Mountains
c)
Andes Mountains
d)
Appalachian Mountains 
21.
What system of farming did the Inca develop in order to farm in the mountains? 
a)
Chinampas
b)
Irrigation
c)
Aqueducts
d)
Terrace Farming
22.
8. Floating gardens and fields built by the Aztecs
a)
Chihuahuas
b)
Codices
c)
Causeways
d)
Chinampas
23.

An arrangement of knotted strings on a cord, used by the Inca to record numerical information.

a)

tributary state

b)

ayllu

c)

quipu

d)

chinampas

24.

Which ancient civilization was founded on the Yucatán Peninsula?

a)

Egypt

b)

Inca

c)

Maya

d)

Songhai

25.

The Mayans and Aztecs were similar in that they built their civilizations on swamp land. To which unique geographic feature did the Incans adapt?

a)

Andes Mountains

b)

lakes

c)

sinkholes

d)

Valley of Mexico

26.

Mexico City is associated with which ancient civilization?

a)

Aztec

b)

Egyptian

c)

Inca

d)

Maya

27.

How did Mayan civilization adapt to the unique geography of Central America?

a)

It developed slash and burn farming techniques to improve food production in swampy lands.

b)

It developed terraced farming techniques to improve food production in mountainous lands.

c)

It developed large canal systems to improve travel across mountainous lands.

d)

It developed arched bridges to improve travel across swampy lands.

28.

Why did the Aztec civilization create floating farms called chinampas?

a)

to increase the impact of irrigation in the arid regions of the Sonoran Desert

b)

to make the best use of the swampy lands of the Yucatán Peninsula

c)

to decrease the risk of seasonal flooding along the Mississippi River

d)

to protect crops from hurricanes along the Atlantic coast

29.

This is a map of Native American civilizations in North and South America. Which number correctly identifies the location of the Incan civilization?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

30.

This is a photograph of Machu Picchu. Based on the photograph, which statement about Incan culture is true?

a)

Incans lived near the sea.

b)

Incans built complex cities.

c)

Incans lived on plain lands.

d)

Incans built wooden structures.

31.

Terrace farming by the Inca and the use of chinampas by the Aztec are examples of what advancement?

a)

development of complex religions

b)

creation of a simple government structure

c)

agricultural adaptation to the environment

d)

policies for conquering new land

32.

This temple (built by the Aztecs) would most likely be found in which modern-day Latin American country?

a)

Mexico

b)

Peru

c)

Chile

d)

Nicaragua

33.

Use the picture to the left to answer the question. What impact did chinampas have on the environment of the Aztecs?

a)

depletion of the rainforest

b)

increase in air pollution

c)

depletion of natural minerals

d)

increase in farmable land

34.

Which ancient civilization most likely created this terraced farm?

***Bonus points if you can name the mountain range!...

a)

Aztec

b)

Egypt

c)

Gupta

d)

Inca

35.

Which term accurately describes Ancient Incan religion?

a)

Buddhist

b)

Confucian

c)

monotheistic

d)

polytheistic

36.

This is a photograph of the Aztec calendar. This calendar is evidence of what aspect of Aztec civilization?

a)

Aztec civilization stole sculptures from civilizations they conquered.

b)

Aztec civilization had a detailed understanding of time and astronomy.

c)

Aztec civilization created few cultural advancements.

d)

Aztec civilization did not believe in the traditional concepts of time and aging.

37.

How did the Mayan civilization maintain order over a large empire?

a)

It divided its population into city-states.

b)

It created democratic assemblies.

c)

It forced the monarch to move the capital every year.

d)

It allowed religious leaders to create new states.

38.

The role of Sapa Inca ("the only Inca") in Incan culture is most similar to which role in European culture?

a)

emperor

b)

farmer

c)

merchant

d)

professor

39.

This is a quote from an Aztec priest: "Life is because of the gods; with their sacrifice, they gave us life.... They produce our sustenance...which nourishes life." Based on this quote, which statement is true?

a)

Religious practices controlled many aspects of Aztec culture.

b)

Religion played a small role in Aztec culture.

c)

Religious leaders had little power in Aztec culture.

d)

Religion was introduced from interactions between Europe and Aztec culture.

40.

This is a quote from an article written by the Peru Cultural Society. Based on the quote, how did the Inca government impact the regional economy?

a)

It allowed citizens to buy and sell goods in closed markets.

b)

It controlled most aspects of trade and production.

c)

It prevented the creation of government jobs.

d)

It forced citizens to trade with foreign explorers.

41.

This is a map of the Incan Empire. It provides evidence for which statement?

a)

Incan civilization depended on a complex system of roads to connect settlements.

b)

Incan civilization was dependent on trade with Europe.

c)

Incan civilization allowed settlements to be isolated from one another.

d)

Incan civilization was influenced by the structure of the Aztec Empire.

42.

Which culture created sophisticated network of city-states with a king and a great military out of the Yucatan Peninsula?

a)

Aztec

b)

Hutu

c)

Inca

d)

Maya

43.

Which statement is true in regards to the relationship between the early civilizations of Latin America and the Europeans?

a)

Both civilizations needed to help each other out

b)

The Europeans protected many of the Latin American civilizations against each other

c)

The Latin American civilizations developed advanced societies before the arrival of the Europeans

d)

The Europeans accepted the cultural differences of the natives

44.

Which statement is true about the various Native American groups living in North America hundreds of years before the arrival of Europeans?

a)

They were small civilizations with limited knowledge of farming techniques.

b)

Poor climate prevented them from building permanent farming settlements.

c)

They lived in isolation and had little contact with each other.

d)

Their culture and customs were closely tied to their environments.

45.

Maya achievements in mathematics were closely related to what other area?

a)

music

b)

astronomy

c)

road building

d)

military power

46.

How did Francisco Pizarro gain control of the Incan Empire in 1533?

a)

He convinced the Incan leader to give his land to Spain.

b)

He captured the Incan leader and executed him.

c)

He went to war and conquered the Incan lands.

d)

He bought the land from the Incans.

47.

How were the declines of the Aztec and Incan Empires similar?

a)

They were both caused by decreases in trade with Asia.

b)

They were both caused by European invasions.

c)

They were both caused by rapid changes in climate.

d)

They were both caused by natural disasters.

48.

Why were Europeans able to conquer Native Americans in the New World despite being outnumbered?

a)

Europeans brought food and helped grow crops during a period of famine.

b)

Europeans possessed advanced technology and weapons.

c)

Europeans converted many Native Americans to Catholicism.

d)

Europeans adapted their cultures to become more like the Native Americans.

49.

What caused the decline of the Incan and Aztec civilizations?

a)

diseases brought by the Europeans

b)

new foods brought by the Europeans

c)

warfare between the Aztecs and Incas

d)

flooding caused by a long rainy season

50.

The Aztec empire was conquered in 1521 by Spanish forces led by conquistador ________.

a)

Nicolaus Copernicus

b)

Ferdinand Magellan 

c)

Leonardo da Vinci

d)

Hernan Cortes

51.

The capital of the Aztecs was which city?

a)

La Paz

b)

Cuzco

c)

Tikal

d)

Tenochtitlan

52.

The capital of the Incas was which city?

a)

Tenochtitlan

b)

Cuzco

c)

Tikal

d)

La Paz

53.

The capital of the Maya was which city?

a)

Tikal

b)

Cuzco

c)

Tenochtitlan

d)

La Paz

54.

Which civilization practiced human sacrifice?

a)

Aztec

b)

Maya

c)

Olmec

d)

Inca

55.

Which civilization were considered master stone masons?

a)

Aztec

b)

Inca

c)

Olmec

d)

Maya

56.

Which civilization was conquered by Hernando Cortes?

a)

Inca

b)

Maya

c)

Aztec

d)

Roman

57.

Which civilization was conquered by Francisco Pizarro?

a)

Maya

b)

Aztec

c)

Egyptian

d)

Inca

58.

Who were the European conquerors who came to Latin America?

a)

Pirates

b)

Pilgrims

c)

Americans

d)

Conquistadors

59.

Which civilization made education compulsory?

a)

Mesopotamian

b)

Aztec

c)

Maya

d)

Inca

60.

Which civilization used the concept of zero?

a)

Indus Valley

b)

Maya

c)

Aztec

d)

Inca

61.

Which civilization farmed by using floating gardens?

a)

Maya

b)

Inca

c)

Britain

d)

Aztec

62.

Which civilization farmed by terrace farming?

a)

Maya

b)

Aztec

c)

Inca

d)

Germans

63.

Which civilization just disappeared?

a)

Ancient Aliens

b)

Maya

c)

Aztec

d)

Inca

64.

Which civilization was polytheistic?

a)

Romans

b)

Maya

c)

Aztec

d)

Inca

65.

Which civilization used hieroglyphics?

a)

Egyptian

b)

Aztec

c)

Inca

d)

Maya

66.

This is a term for "Middle America" refers to what is now Mexico and parts of northern countries of central America.

a)

Sub Sahara

b)

Mesoamerica

c)

Sahel

d)

Peru

67.
The Mayans were located at what letter on the map?
 (Click to hide text)
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
68.

This civilization developed in Mexico and built their capital, Tenochtitlan, on a swapy island in a lake.

a)

Aztec

b)

Inca

c)

Maya

d)

ALL

69.
This civilization had a city known as Machu Picchu.
a)
Maya
b)
Inca
c)
Aztec
d)
ALL
70.

What is the legend of El Dorado?

a)

A city of silver

b)

A city of gold

c)

A city of copper

d)

A city of coal