World History and Western Civ Readings

Which hominin species first migrated out of Africa approximately 2 million years ago?

Homo erectus

Which species is known for being one of the earliest users of stone tools, living between about 2 million and 1.5 million years ago?

Homo Sapiens

What characteristic is associated with Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis)?

Lived in Eurasia, used tools, controlled fire, and buried their dead

Which statement about modern humans (Homo sapiens) is NOT accurate?

They first entered Europe before they reached Australia.

What was one of the effects of the Neolithic Revolution (around 10,000 years ago)?

The development of agriculture and settled societies

Which of the following is not listed as one of the key common features of early urban civilizations?

Military alliances with overseas empires

What are two notable innovations associated with the Babylonians?

The Hanging Gardens and the division of the day into 24 hours

Which of the following accurately describes a characteristic of the Indus Valley Civilization?

Elaborate drainage systems and urban planning in cities like Harappa

The Shang Dynasty of ancient China is best known for which of the following achievements?

Oracle bone inscriptions and bronze casting

Which ancient empire is associated with the Royal Road that facilitated communication and trade?

Persian Empire

What is the period referred to as "The Mythical Period" in early Chinese history?

The era of Huangdi, Yao, Shun before the Xia

Which legendary ruler is credited with founding the Xia Dynasty around 2205 B.C.?

Yu the Great

The Shang Dynasty (c. 1766 B.C.–1122 B.C.) is noted for its social structure. Which of the following correctly lists its main social classes?

King & aristocracy → Military → Artisans & craftsmen → Peasants

What major cultural and philosophical concept originated during the Zhou Dynasty (1122 B.C.–256 B.C.)?

Mandate of Heaven

In the legendary line of early sage-kings before the Xia Dynasty, who is credited with appointing Yu the Great after demonstrating filial devotion, rather than favoring hereditary succession?

Emperor Shun

When did modern humans first settle the Indian subcontinent?

Around 65,000 years ago

Which two major cities are identified as part of The Indus River Valley Civilizations, and what was their estimated population size?

Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro; possibly up to 5 million total

Who were the Aryans, and what did they contribute to Indian culture?

Nomadic peoples from Central Asia who introduced Vedic culture, Sanskrit, and the Vedas

What was the Mauryan Empire’s significance in the context of Indian history?

It emerged after Ashoka carved his laws and promoted Buddhism.

Early Athens featured two governing assemblies—one open to all citizens and one limited to an elite group. Who were these elites called?

Hippes

What unique reforms did Lykurgos introduce in early Sparta?

Established iron currency, communal meals, and that ceilings be finished with an axe instead of carved

What form of government replaced the monarchy when the Roman Republic was founded?

Aristocratic council with magistracies

Which two social classes were central to political conflict in the early Roman Republic?

Patricians (nobles) and plebeians (peasants)

What major administrative change did Emperor Diocletian introduce to stabilize the Roman Empire?

Division into Eastern and Western Empires

what is considered the immediate cause of the fall of the Western Roman Empire?

Barbarian invasions

What continued after the fall of the Western Roman Empire?

The Eastern half, later known as the Byzantine Empire

Who were the first two consuls of the Roman Republic, and what event catalyzed their rise?

Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus and Lucius Junius Brutus – overthrow of the monarchy

What major political transformation marked the end of the Warring States period

The rise of the Zhou dynasty and the introduction of the fengjian (feudal) system

Which of the following best describes the political structure of China before the Warring States period, as mentioned in the article?

A loose feudal system where land was distributed to nobles or relatives (fengjian system)

In Pre-Islamic Arabia, which of the following statements is most accurate?

Several urban centers like Mecca and Medina emerged as important trade and religious hubs.

Which of the following best describes the role of Abu Bakr in the early Islamic period?

He became the first caliph after Muhammad’s death, leading expansions by uniting Bedouin clans.

What was the main social and economic structure described in the Middle Ages according to the text?

Feudalism and manorialism

Who was the Early Frankish king known for implementing the Salic Law

Clovis

Which of the following best describes Viking activity in Northern Europe during the Middle Ages

Germanic Scandinavian raiders who also settled widely