Chapter 1

Question 1

The transformation that was most responsible for initially moving humans toward civilization was the 
A.  the introduction of the use of iron.
B.  growth of towns and cities.
C.  rise of agriculture.
D.  rise of specialize classes.

Answer 1

C. rise of agriculture.

Question 2

The emergence of sedentary agriculture
A. occurred simultaneously in various places and spread around the world.
B. began only in the savannas of West Africa.
C. started in the Middle East first but developed independently in other areas.
D. arose in the river valleys of the Huange he and Yangtze.

Answer 2

C. started in the Middle East first but developed independently in other areas.

Question 3

Cuneiform and other types of writing systems are important in part because they
A. help organize elaborate political structures.
B. normally reduce social stratification.
C. can compel leaders to follow written guidelines of behavior.
D. hinder economic development in certain circumstances.

Answer 3

A. help organize elaborate political structures.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a feature of Sumerian civilization?
A. a simplified alphabet of 22 letters.
B. ziggurats.
C. cuneiform.
D. a numeric system based on 10, 60, and 360.

Answer 4

A. a simplified alphabet of 22 letters.

Question 5

Unlike Sumer and Egypt, the Indus Valley or Harappan civilization
A. became a geographic center for unified, continuous culture lasting a millennia.
B. is particularly difficult to study because its writing has not been deciphered.
C. was secure from nomadic incursions and invasions.
D. never developed a military social class.

Answer 5

B. is particularly difficult to study because its writing has not been deciphered.

Question 6

Compared to river valley cultures, in Egypt and Mesopotamia, Chinese civilization
A. probably developed after civilizations in the Nile Valley and Mesopotamia.
B. predates the rise of civilization in both Egypt and Mesopotamia.
C. developed simultaneously with Egypt and Mesopotamia.
D. did not rely on heavy irrigation as year round water was plentiful.

Answer 6

A. probably developed after civilizations in the Nile Valley and Mesopotamia.

Question 7

Stone tools, hunting and gathering, and an increasing number of Homo sapiens sapiens are features of the
A.  Late Paleolithic Age.
B.  Bronze Age.
C.  Early Copper Age.
D.  River valley civilizations.

Answer 7

A. Late Paleolithic Age.