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Maya, Inca, Aztec Quiz

Total questions: 100

Worksheet time: 1hrs 25mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What was the geographical area where the Maya lived called by historians?

a)

Mesoamerica

b)

South America

c)

North America

d)

Central America

2.

Who were the explorers that found the ruins of the ancient Maya city of Copan?

a)

John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood

b)

Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci

c)

Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro

d)

Ferdinand Magellan and Vasco da Gama

3.

The three time periods into which experts divide Maya history are:

a)

Preclassic, Classic, Postclassic

b)

Ancient, Medieval, Modern

c)

Early, Middle, Late

d)

Stone, Bronze, Iron

4.

The main crops grown by the Maya during the pre-classic period were:

a)

Maize, beans, and squash

b)

Wheat, barley, and oats

c)

Rice, millet, and sorghum

d)

Potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers

5.

Maya tools were made from which materials?

a)

Stone and wood

b)

Metal and plastic

c)

Glass and rubber

d)

Paper and cloth

6.

True or False: The Maya were known for their complex written language and calendar system.

a)

True

b)

False

7.

True or False: The Maya kings had unlimited wealth and power.

a)

True

b)

False

8.

What period is known as the golden age of the Maya?

4 lines
9.

What system did the ancient Maya develop for counting?

a)

Vigesimal system

b)

Decimal system

c)

Binary system

d)

Hexadecimal system

10.

The Maya used zero in their calculations to:

a)

represent the absence of a value and perform complex calculations

b)

count the number of days in a year

c)

measure the height of their pyramids

d)

track the number of sacrifices made

11.

What were some reasons for the decline of Maya cities during the Post-Classic period?

a)

Environmental degradation and resource depletion

b)

Invasion by foreign powers

c)

Economic instability

d)

All of the above

12.

What crops did the Spanish force the Maya to grow for Spain?

4 lines
13.

The Maya have shown strength and character today by:

a)

preserving their cultural heritage

b)

adopting modern technology

c)

engaging in political activism

d)

all of the above

14.

The focus of life in the Maya civilization was:

a)

agriculture and farming

b)

trade and commerce

c)

religion and rituals

d)

warfare and conquest

15.

Which of the following were most Maya commoners?

a)

Priests

b)

Farmers

c)

Nobles

d)

Merchants

16.

The common Maya people wore what type of clothing?

a)

Elaborate ceremonial costumes

b)

Simple cotton garments

c)

Heavy woolen clothes

d)

Silk robes

17.

Who were the members of the middle class in Maya society?

a)

Nobles and priests

b)

Merchants and artisans

c)

Farmers and laborers

d)

Kings and warriors

18.

The king in Maya society was responsible for:

a)

leading religious ceremonies and rituals

b)

managing trade and economy

c)

overseeing construction of temples

d)

all of the above

19.

The purpose of marriage rituals among the Maya was to:

a)

unite families and strengthen alliances

b)

celebrate the harvest season

c)

honor the gods

d)

mark the beginning of the new year

20.

The Maya communicated across different city-states by:

a)

using a system of roads and runners

b)

sending messages through smoke signals

c)

using a written language on stone tablets

d)

employing trained birds to carry messages

21.

What was the Maya's form of writing made up of?

a)

Hieroglyphics

b)

Alphabets

c)

Cuneiform

d)

Pictographs

22.

Which of the following was a natural event controlled by the Maya gods?

a)

Weather

b)

Technology

c)

Politics

d)

Trade

23.

What was the most important offering given to the Maya gods?

a)

Human sacrifice

b)

Corn

c)

Gold

d)

Jade

24.

How many days were in the Maya Haab calendar?

a)

360 days

b)

365 days

c)

400 days

d)

350 days

25.

What was the main food source for the Maya?

a)

Maize

b)

Wheat

c)

Rice

d)

Potatoes

26.

True or False: The Maya added sugar to their chocolate.

a)

True

b)

False

27.

The main objective of the game Pok-A-Tok was:

a)

To score points by getting the ball through a hoop

b)

To capture the opponent's king

c)

To accumulate the most territory

d)

To knock down all the opponent's pieces

28.

In Pok-A-Tok, players could not use their hands or feet. What parts of the body were they allowed to use?

a)

The players were allowed to use their hips, elbows, and knees.

b)

The players were allowed to use their heads and shoulders.

c)

The players were allowed to use their chests and backs.

d)

The players were allowed to use their arms and legs.

29.

The game Pok-A-Tok symbolized what for the Maya?

a)

A religious ritual

b)

A form of entertainment

c)

A political event

d)

A social gathering

30.

Where is the largest ball court in Mesoamerica located?

a)

Chichen Itza

b)

Tikal

c)

Teotihuacan

d)

Palenque

31.

True or False: The game Bul was a game of chance and war.

a)

True

b)

False

32.

What material were the balls made from in the game Pok-A-Tok?

a)

Rubber

b)

Wood

c)

Stone

d)

Metal

33.

What is the modern version of the ball game called that is still played today in Mexico?

a)

Ulama

b)

Soccer

c)

Basketball

d)

Volleyball

34.

The Ayllu in Inca society was:

a)

a type of food

b)

a religious ceremony

c)

a family or community group

d)

a form of currency

35.

Peasants in the Inca Empire were required to work every day except during _________.

a)

holidays

b)

weekends

c)

night time

d)

rainy season

36.

In Inca society, which group was more respected than farmers?

a)

Artisans

b)

Nobles

c)

Merchants

d)

Warriors

37.

Most Inca homes were made of ________ with thatched roofs.

a)

adobe

b)

stone

c)

wood

d)

brick

38.

The doors of the Inca nobles' homes were decorated with which materials?

a)

Gold and silver

b)

Wood and stone

c)

Bronze and copper

d)

Iron and steel

39.

The Sapa Inca lived in a palace with walls covered in gold.

a)

True

b)

False

40.

The role of craftsmen in Inca society was to:

a)

create pottery and textiles

b)

lead religious ceremonies

c)

govern the provinces

d)

farm the land

41.

What type of clothing did Inca men wear?

4 lines
42.

What was a ch'ullu?

4 lines
43.

What were the main staples of the Inca diet?

4 lines
44.

The Inca were the first to grow ________.

a)

potatoes

b)

corn

c)

wheat

d)

rice

45.

Describe the Inca's method of terrace farming.

a)

The Incas used flat land for farming.

b)

The Incas built terraces on steep slopes to create flat land for farming.

c)

The Incas used only irrigation for farming.

d)

The Incas did not practice terrace farming.

46.

Only wealthy children went to school in Inca society because:

a)

education was expensive and only the wealthy could afford it

b)

schools were located in wealthy neighborhoods

c)

education was not valued by the lower classes

d)

only wealthy children were considered intelligent

47.

What was the title given to the close relative of the Sapa Inca and his closest advisor?

a)

Apu

b)

Curaca

c)

Mallku

d)

Yanacona

48.

Who was second in power to the Sapa Inca due to the importance of religion in the empire?

a)

The second in power to the Sapa Inca was the high priest, known as the Willaq Umu.

b)

The second in power to the Sapa Inca was the military general, known as the Apus.

c)

The second in power to the Sapa Inca was the chief architect, known as the Qhapac.

d)

The second in power to the Sapa Inca was the royal advisor, known as the Amautas.

49.

The role of the 'Apu' in the Inca Empire was:

a)

a religious leader

b)

a military general

c)

a regional governor

d)

a farmer

50.

Who were the inspectors that watched over the Inca to ensure they paid their taxes and followed the rules?

a)

Curacas

b)

Priests

c)

Warriors

d)

Merchants

51.

The main role of the military generals in the Inca Empire was to:

a)

lead the army in battles

b)

manage agricultural activities

c)

oversee religious ceremonies

d)

conduct trade negotiations

52.

What type of government did the Inca Empire have?

a)

Monarchy

b)

Democracy

c)

Oligarchy

d)

Republic

53.

Who was the Sapa Inca's main wife and queen?

a)

Coya

b)

Nusta

c)

Palla

d)

Mama Kuka

54.

What were the four quarters of the Inca Empire called?

4 lines
55.

Fill in the blank: The smallest and extremely important division of the Inca Empire was the _______.

a)

Ayllu

b)

Sapa Inca

c)

Quipu

d)

Mita

56.

The role of the ayllu in the Inca Empire was to:

a)

manage agricultural lands and distribute resources among its members

b)

serve as a military unit for the Inca army

c)

act as a religious institution

d)

function as a trade organization

57.

What were the two main taxes paid by the Inca?

4 lines
58.

Fill in the blank: The Inca tax known as the _______ required each man between the ages of 16 and 60 to work for the government part of the year.

a)

mita

b)

quipu

c)

ayllu

d)

sapa

59.

The purpose of the quipus in the Inca Empire was:

a)

to record numerical data and keep records

b)

to serve as a religious artifact

c)

to be used as a weapon

d)

to decorate clothing

60.

What were some of the crimes against the law in the Inca Empire?

4 lines
61.

The village of Cuzco was significant in the Inca Empire because it was:

a)

the capital of the empire

b)

a major trading hub

c)

a religious center

d)

a military outpost

62.

Fill in the blank: The Tiahuanaco civilization began to disappear around ______ CE, and the Andean highlands became occupied by independent societies.

a)

900

b)

800

c)

1000

d)

1100

63.

Which Inca ruler was known as the 'Transformer of the Earth'?

4 lines
64.

Fill in the blank: Thupa Inca Yupanki led an Inca army to defeat the Chimu Empire on the northern coast of ______.

a)

Peru

b)

Chile

c)

Ecuador

d)

Colombia

65.

Pachacuti organized major construction projects in and around the city of Cuzco, including:

a)

The construction of Machu Picchu and the expansion of the Sacsayhuamán fortress.

b)

The building of the Great Wall of China.

c)

The construction of the Colosseum in Rome.

d)

The development of the Pyramids of Giza.

66.

What significant event happened in 1493 related to the Inca Empire?

a)

The Inca Empire was founded

b)

The Inca Empire reached its peak

c)

The first contact with Europeans

d)

The Inca Empire fell

67.

Who became the Sapa Inca after Thupa Inca Yupanki died in 1493?

a)

Huayna Capac

b)

Pachacuti

c)

Atahualpa

d)

Huascar

68.

What disease outbreak occurred in 1525 that affected the Inca population?

a)

Smallpox

b)

Influenza

c)

Measles

d)

Typhus

69.

In what year did Atahualpa's army defeat Huascar's troops in Cuzco?

a)

1532

b)

1531

c)

1533

d)

1534

70.

Who was the Spanish explorer that ambushed Atahualpa in Cajamarca?

a)

Francisco Pizarro

b)

Hernán Cortés

c)

Vasco Núñez de Balboa

d)

Ferdinand Magellan

71.

What happened to Atahualpa after he was ambushed by the Spaniards?

a)

He was released and returned to his kingdom.

b)

He was executed by the Spaniards.

c)

He escaped and fled to another region.

d)

He formed an alliance with the Spaniards.

72.

Who was crowned as the new ruler of the Inca after the Spanish took over Cuzco?

a)

Manco Inca

b)

Atahualpa

c)

Huáscar

d)

Túpac Amaru

73.

The rebellion led by Manco Inca against the Spanish resulted in:

a)

The complete expulsion of the Spanish from Peru

b)

A temporary retreat of the Spanish forces

c)

The capture and execution of Manco Inca

d)

A peace treaty between the Incas and the Spanish

74.

Who discovered the lost city of Machu Picchu in 1911?

a)

Hiram Bingham

b)

Christopher Columbus

c)

Ferdinand Magellan

d)

Marco Polo

75.

In what year were 40,000 artifacts from Machu Picchu returned to Yale University?

4 lines
76.

Where were the Aztec homelands located?

4 lines
77.

What type of houses did most Aztec families live in?

a)

Adobe houses

b)

Wooden houses

c)

Stone houses

d)

Brick houses

78.

The Aztecs were known for their innovative agricultural technique called:

a)

Terrace farming

b)

Hydroponics

c)

Chinampas

d)

Crop rotation

79.

What type of clothing did Aztec women often wear?

4 lines
80.

What were some of the jobs Aztec people had?

a)

Farmers, Warriors, Merchants

b)

Engineers, Scientists, Artists

c)

Politicians, Lawyers, Doctors

d)

Miners, Sailors, Pilots

81.

What were Aztec girls given at birth?

a)

Brooms and sewing baskets

b)

Tools and shields

c)

Jewelry and gold

d)

Books and scrolls

82.

Fill in the blank: Aztec girls were usually married by age ____.

a)

14

b)

12

c)

16

d)

18

83.

The Aztecs used which materials to make jewelry?

a)

Gold and silver

b)

Copper and bronze

c)

Wood and stone

d)

Iron and steel

84.

Which god was honored as the god of war in Aztec religion?

a)

Quetzalcoatl

b)

Huitzilopochtli

c)

Tonatiuh

d)

Montezuma

85.

Fill in the blank: The Aztecs lived in the world of the Fifth Sun, ruled by the sun god ____.

a)

Huitzilopochtli

b)

Quetzalcoatl

c)

Tezcatlipoca

d)

Tlaloc

86.

The role of stories in Aztec culture is to:

a)

preserve history and traditions

b)

entertain the masses

c)

promote trade and commerce

d)

document scientific discoveries

87.

What happened to the Aztec emperor when Hernan Cortes arrived in Tenochtitlan?

a)

The Aztec emperor was killed.

b)

The Aztec emperor was captured.

c)

The Aztec emperor fled the city.

d)

The Aztec emperor welcomed Cortes.

88.

The four main classes that separated Aztec society were:

a)

Nobles, Commoners, Serfs, Slaves

b)

Warriors, Priests, Merchants, Farmers

c)

Kings, Nobles, Artisans, Peasants

d)

Rulers, Warriors, Traders, Laborers

89.

The pipiltin in Aztec society were:

a)

a noble class

b)

a warrior class

c)

a merchant class

d)

a farming class

90.

In Aztec society, the lowest class were considered to be:

a)

Nobles

b)

Merchants

c)

Slaves

d)

Warriors

91.

At what age did Aztec men usually marry?

a)

Aztec men usually married at around 20 years of age.

b)

Aztec men usually married at around 15 years of age.

c)

Aztec men usually married at around 25 years of age.

d)

Aztec men usually married at around 30 years of age.

92.

The role of matchmakers in Aztec weddings was to:

a)

arrange marriages and negotiate dowries

b)

perform the wedding ceremony

c)

provide entertainment during the wedding

d)

prepare the wedding feast

93.

Aztec men often wore what type of clothing?

a)

Tunic and loincloth

b)

Jeans and t-shirt

c)

Suits and ties

d)

Robes and sandals

94.

What was the language spoken by the Aztecs?

a)

Nahuatl

b)

Spanish

c)

Mayan

d)

Quechua

95.

The significance of wearing feathers in Aztec society was:

a)

a symbol of status and power

b)

a form of punishment

c)

a religious requirement

d)

a fashion trend

96.

Aztec jewelry was made from which materials?

a)

Gold and silver

b)

Copper and bronze

c)

Jade and turquoise

d)

Iron and steel

97.

The purpose of Aztec writing was to:

a)

record historical events and religious practices

b)

communicate with other civilizations

c)

create art and decorations

d)

develop scientific theories

98.

What were the two kinds of schools in Aztec life?

4 lines
99.

The _______ was a school for commoners in Aztec society.

a)

calmecac

b)

telpochcalli

c)

cuicacalli

d)

ichpochcalli

100.

What was the main staple of the Aztec diet?

4 lines