Challenges to World History final exam

Two questions on the final exam have been challenged. The first is this:

Each of the following was part of nearly all medieval towns EXCEPT: (a) hazards of disease such as the Black Plague (b) enclosure by a wall (c) new opportunities for the middle class (bourgeoisie) (d) Christianity (e) religious conflict

The challenge is that "medieval" should include non-Christian societies such as Japan, and therefore the correct answer should be (d).

This challenge is invalid. "Medieval" refers to the Middle Ages in Europe, which was entirely Christian. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines "medieval" as pertaining to the "Middle Ages," and then defines "Middle Ages" as pertaining to Europe between about A.D. 500 and 1500.

The second challenge is this:

An example of the element of surprise in warfare could cite which military commander? (a) Adolf Hitler (b) Hannibal (c) Dwight Eisenhower (d) George W. Bush (e) Archimedes

The challenge is that Hitler and Eisenhower used the element of surprise, as did Hannibal. But the element of surprise was not as important or creative in Hitler's or Eisenhower's command.

Hitler did not truly succeed based primarily on surprise. Also, he was not really a "military commander."

Eisenhower receives credit for D-Day (Normandy invasion during WW II) but everyone expected an Allied invasion of the continent and Eisenhower was merely one of many important participants in that strategy. Hannibal stands above the others in his responsibilities, creativeness, and effectiveness of his surprise.