Second Semester Study Guide

Question 1

Why were Sumerian settlements called city-states?

Answer 1

Each settlement had its own ruler and farmland.

Question 2

What did Sumerians use canals, levees, and dams for?

Answer 2

Control of the amount of water in the valley.

Question 3

What happened when people from Other villages used Sumerian irrigation systems?

Answer 3

People in the villages had to work together to maintain it.

Question 4

What was the biggest problem caused by the Jewish diaspora?

Answer 4

It threatened the survival of Judaism.

Question 5

Why was the belief in Jesus’ resurrection so important to his disciples and followers?

Answer 5

It convinced his followers that he was the Son of God.

Question 6

Why did Makkans reject Muhummad’s teachings?

Answer 6

Makkans believed Muhummad’s would seize political power, people would stop making pilgrimages to Makkah, and they did not want to give up their gods.

Question 7

What was the greatest accomplishment of the Shang dynasty?

Answer 7

They controlled all of China.

Question 8

Why were Confucianism, Daoism and Legalism developed when they were?

Answer 8

Because there was so much disorder in China at the time.

Question 9

How would you describe the philosophy of Legalism?

Answer 9

The belief is that people are selfish, laws must be strict and strictly enforced and punishments for breaking laws must be harsh.

Question 10

What was one way the Zhou dynasty managed to keep China stable for several hundred years?

Answer 10

By claiming approval from heaven.

Question 11

What philosophy influenced Qin Shihuangdi the most?

Answer 11

Legalism

Question 12

What was one major difference between feudalism and the Emperor of Qin’s governing system?

Answer 12

Feudalism - power held locally

Qin - the emperor held all the power

Question 13

What was one major difference between the Qin dynasty and the Han dynasty?

Answer 13

The Han dynasty lasted much longer.

Question 14

Which Han dynasty achievement had the greatest effect on people’s lives? List your achievement and give two reasons.

Answer 14

Science achievements had the greatest effect because the seismograph could detect earthquakes before they hit and saved lives, and the compass kept people from getting lost, which could also save lives.

Question 15

What was the name of the professional warriors from Japan that lived by a code of honor?

Answer 15

Samurai

Question 16

What was the title given to the most powerful political rulers of Japan who were also military leaders?

Answer 16

Shogun

Question 17

India is attached to Asia and surrounded on three sides by water. Because of these features India is known as what?

Answer 17

Subcontinent

Question 18

Do monsoons have more of a positive or negative impact on India?

Answer 18

Monsoons have a negative impact because they can wash away crops which can lead to hunger, and flood many parts of India which can lead to homelessness.

Question 19

What symbol best represents samsara, the cycle of birth, life and death?

Answer 19

A wheel

Question 20

How is the Hindu belief in karma related to the caste system?

Answer 20

People are in caste because of how they lived in past lives.

Question 21

What do Hinduism and Buddhism have in common?

Answer 21

A belief in many lifetimes

Question 22

Describe the order in which major events occurred in the Buddha’s life.

Answer 22

1. Had a son
2. Leaves the palace
3. Becomes an ascetic
4. Reaches enlightenment

Question 23

What is the name of the landform in which Greece is situated?

Answer 23

Peninsula

Question 24

Describe the characteristics of a monarchy.

Answer 24

One ruler, inherited power and passed leadership to his son.

Question 25

What was the role of the Assembly in the Athenian government?

Answer 25

Approved laws after the council suggested them.

Question 26

Why did the Persians think it would be easy to conquer Greece during the Persian wars?

Answer 26

Because they had more land and people

Question 27

What caused the Persian wars?

Answer 27

1. Greek involvement in the Ionian revolt.

2. Greeks refused to accept Persian rule and pay tribute to Persians after the Ionian revolt.

Question 28

What was the result of the Persian wars?

Answer 28

Preservation of Greek Independence

Question 29

When it came the life in Athens what was valued more, public or private life? Explain.

Answer 29

Public life, because the city had beautiful buildings while the people lived in crowded, dirty neighborhoods.

Question 30

How would you describe Alexander’s approach to unifying his empire?

Answer 30

He respected the beliefs of others.

Question 31

Based on its name, what do you know about Mesopotamia?

Answer 31

It is located between two rivers.

Question 32

What is the northmost river in India?

Answer 32

Indus River

Question 33

What are the northmost mountains in India?

Answer 33

Hindu Kush Mountains

Question 34

What is the second northmost river in India?

Answer 34

Bhramaputra river

Question 35

What is the northmost desert in India?

Answer 35

Thar Desert

Question 36

What is the third northmost river in India?

Answer 36

Ganges river

Question 37

What is the southern Indian plateu called?

Answer 37

Deccan Plateau

Question 38

What are the two Indian ghats called?

Answer 38

Eastern and western ghats