World History Midterm Exam

Closed book; No penalty for wrong answers; 25 minutes long.

1. Charles “the Hammer” Martel is known for:
(a) founding the Roman empire.
(b) founding democracy in the Roman empire.
(c) preserving Christianity in Europe by defeating a Muslim army.
(d) destroying the ancient Greek civilization.

2. What was Mesopotamia?
(a) the oldest civilization, located where Rome is today.
(b) the oldest civilization, located where Iraq is today.
(c) one of the city-states in ancient Greece.
(d) the location of the first Egyptian pyramid.

3. A big difference between the Roman republic and the Roman empire was:
(a) the location of their headquarters.
(b) the language that was spoken.
(c) the difference in how much power was held by the Roman senate.
(d) how well foreigners and non-citizens were treated.

4. Jesus was different from the founders of other religions in which ways?
(a) Jesus performed miracles to heal the sick.
(b) Jesus emphasized the importance of faith.
(c) Jesus gave up His life for the sake of others.
(d) all of the above.

5. Which of the following was an achievement of Julius Caesar?
(a) Establishing the Roman republic.
(b) Establishing the 12-month, 365-day calendar.
(c) Protecting Jesus against Crucifixion until after His preaching.
(d) Establishing Roman citizenship for all in the Roman empire.

6. Plato’s approach emphasized which of the following?
(a) logic
(b) experience
(c) asking questions
(d) recognizing that “might makes right”

7. The greatest sculptor in world history was also a skilled painter. Who was he?
(a) Michelangelo
(b) Dante
(c) Machiavelli
(d) Thomas Aquinas

8. This early Christian evangelist wrote many letters that became part of the New Testament:
(a) Matthew.
(b) Luke.
(c) John.
(d) Paul.

9. The birthplace of democracy was:
(a) Mesopotamia.
(b) Babylonia
(c) Persia.
(d) Athens.

10. Which of the following aspects of Jesus’s teachings was like the Socratic method?
(a) The parable of the Prodigal Son.
(b) When Jesus asked the Apostles, “Who do you say I am?”
(c) When Jesus refused to answer questions by Herod Antipas during the Passion.
(d) When Jesus performed miracles.

11. Which of these is one of the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism?
(a) Craving or desire causes suffering.
(b) Jesus is the way, the truth, and light.
(c) A level in the caste system.
(d) The god of truth.

12. Jainism branched off from which major religion?
(a) Christianity
(b) Islam
(c) Buddhism
(d) Hinduism

13. "If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril." Who wrote that?
(a) Confucius
(b) Buddha
(c) Sun Tzu
(d) the Gospel of Luke

14. The author of the Books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes was probably:
(a) Solomon
(b) David
(c) Moses
(d) Jesus

15. One characteristic of feudalism was:
(a) a dislike of Christianity.
(b) an inability to defend against invaders.
(c) equality of rights by all people, including men and women.
(d) chivalry.

16. What would we thank the Phoenicians for?
(a) Inventing the wheel.
(b) Inventing the alphabet.
(c) Building pyramids.
(d) Discovering the concept of “zero”.

17. What was unique to Taoism?
(a) The belief that human suffering is universal.
(b) The belief that harmony is based on two major forces that constantly oppose each other.
(c) The belief that there is a perpetual cycle in life that includes reincarnation.
(d) The belief that submission to God is essential.

18. In the story of the tortoise and the hare, the slower tortoise wins by persevering while the hare waited until the last minute before trying. When and where was this story written?
(a) In Babylonia around 2000 B.C.
(b) In China around 1000 B.C.
(c) In Greece around 600 B.C.
(d) In Rome around 100 B.C.

19. Muslim and Jewish people both honor which of the following?
(a) Abraham
(b) Isaac
(c) Ishmael
(d) Mohammad

20. Shortly after 1800 B.C., which influential concept developed?
(a) the Code of Hammurabi.
(b) the Koran.
(c) Geometric proofs by Euclid.
(d) Roman law.

21. Consider the “Mona Lisa” painting. When do you think it was created?
(a) During the early part of the Middle Ages, because its dark imagery reflects the Dark Ages.
(b) During the middle part of the Middle Ages, because the landscaping reflects the Crusades.
(c) A century after the Middle Ages, because it conveys some awareness of the modern world.
(d) At the end of the Middle Ages, when Christian artists focused on painting human beings.

22. Which of these are Pillars of Islam?
I. Faith
II. Love
III. Submission to Allah.
IV. Prayer.
V. Fasting during Ramadan.

(a) I, III, and V.
(b) I, II, III, IV and V.
(c) III, IV, and V.
(d) I, III, IV, and V.

23. Which ancient Chinese dynasty was most similar to the Roman empire?
(a) the Han dynasty
(b) the Qin dynasty
(c) the Shang dynasty
(d) the Gupta dynasty

24. Of the following, which gave the Roman Army the most difficulties?
(a) Athens
(b) Hannibal
(c) Egypt
(d) England

25. Order these philosophers and statesmen by date of their births:
I. Aristotle
II. Anselm
III. Plato
IV. Cicero
V. Socrates

(a) I, II, III, IV and V
(b) III, II, I, V, IV
(c) V, III, I, IV, II
(d) III, II, V, I, IV

26. Examples of Roman citizens include all of the following EXCEPT:
(a) Jesus.
(b) Nero.
(c) Paul.
(d) A soldier who had served in the Roman army for 30 years.

27. “I am afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures and engraving them in the heart of the youth.” Who said that (in his own language)?
(a) Plato
(b) Martin Luther
(c) Charlemagne
(d) Genghis Khan

28. The Nicene Creed established or confirmed which of the following:
(a) the Greek Orthodox Church.
(b) the Crusades.
(c) that all will be saved.
(d) the Holy Trinity.

29. Which of the following was true about the Mayan civilization?
I. It existed in Mesoamerica (including where Guatemala is today)
II. It existed from 500 B.C. to the birth of Christ
III The Mayans had a written pictographic language

(a) I and II
(b) I and III
(c) II and III
(d) I, II and III

30. The founder of the Roman empire was:
(a) Cicero.
(b) Nero.
(c) Augustus Caesar.
(d) Gregory the Great.

31. Constantine the Great did which of the following:
I. Legalized Christianity.
II. Ended the persecution of Christians.
III. Ended the Roman republic.
IV. Unified the eastern and western parts of the Roman empire.

(a) I only.
(b) I, II, and IV.
(c) I, II, III, and IV.
(d) II only.

32. During which Kingdom did Moses probably live?
(a) The Old Kingdom
(b) The Middle Kingdom
(c) The New Kingdom
(d) The Kingdom of the Nation of Israel

33. This person was perhaps the most savage and brutal warrior in the history of the world, someone who seemed to enjoy warfare more than anything else:
(a) Attila the Hun
(b) Caligula
(c) Joan of Arc
(d) Constantine

34. What made Alexander so great?
I. He conquered Egypt and Persia
II. He conquered India
III. He was taught by Aristotle
IV. He established a Hellenistic foundation for the later expansion of Christianity

(a) I, III, and IV.
(b) I, II, and III.
(c) I, II, III and IV.
(d) II only.

35. Which of the following was true about the Anglo-Saxons?
I. They were living in England in A.D. 800
II. They spoke Old English.
III. They defeated the Normans in A.D. 1066.
IV. They were descended from Germanic tribes.

(a) I and II.
(b) I, II, and III.
(c) I, II, and IV.
(d) II, III and IV.

36. Suppose a philosopher defined “God” to be the “greatest being conceivable.” He then said that existence must be an attribute of greatest, because something that exists is greater than something that does not exist. The “greatest being conceivable” must therefore exist. Thus God, as the greatest being conceivable, must exist. This proves that God exists. What philosopher or school of thought does this proof represent?
(a) Socrates
(b) Aristotle
(c) Martin Luther
(d) Scholasticism

EXTRA CREDIT QUESTIONS FOR EACH STUDENT:
(Everyone should answer the first question, and then only one additional question as indicated)

Who defeated the Greek General Seleucus in 322 B.C.?
(a) Chandragupta Mauryan
(b) Alexander the Great
(c) Julius Caesar
(d) Darius the Great

(For girls only)
All of the following are examples of feudal chivalry EXCEPT:
(a) charity.
(b) honor.
(c) virtue.
(d) trying to be popular even if it is wrong.

(For boys only)
If a feudal knight defeated his opponent in a joust, which of the following would be winner be expected to do?
(a) Mock and taunt his opponent.
(b) Celebrate in the end zone.
(c) Refuse to allow a rematch.
(d) Help his defeated opponent back up to his feet.

THE END. CONGRATULATIONS!!!