AP World History : Cultural History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #101 : Ap World History

When the papacy ended the practice of lay investiture what exactly were they prohibiting?

Possible Answers:

The ability of secular rulers to select individuals for church positions

The process by which a church official could hold multiple positions within the church and then hire someone else to do the work for him

The process by which an individual could pay money to the church to atone for sins or guarantee access to heaven

The ability of pilgrims in Europe to move freely to places of holy worship

The ability of priests and other church officials to marry and father children

Correct answer:

The ability of secular rulers to select individuals for church positions

Explanation:

Lay investiture refers to the ability of secular rulers to appoint (or “invest”) individuals in church positions. Lay investiture was common in Europe in the ninth, tenth, and eleventh centuries and led to many disputes between secular rules and the church authorities. The situation was partially resolved in 1122 with the Concordat of Worms, which resolved the dispute between the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire over who had the authority to appoint church officials.

Example Question #101 : Ap World History

Which of these statements about religious tolerance in Christendom and the Dar al-Islam, during the Middle Ages, is most accurate?

Possible Answers:

Religious tolerance was granted to non-worshipping citizens of both Christian Europe and the Dar al-Islam.

Religious tolerance was nonexistent in both Christian Europe and the Dar al-Islam.

Religious tolerance in the Dar al-Islam was based on the treatment of Muslims living in Christian Europe.

Religious tolerance was generally greater in Christian Europe than it was in the Dar al-Islam.

Religious tolerance was generally greater in the Dar al-Islam than it was in Christian Europe.

Correct answer:

Religious tolerance was generally greater in the Dar al-Islam than it was in Christian Europe.

Explanation:

During the Middle Ages religious tolerance was generally greater in the Dar al-Islam than it was in Christian Europe. Muslim authorities insisted on political submission of conquered peoples, but they did not (generally) force conquered peoples into conversion. This was in stark contrast to Christian Europe where non-Christians were routinely forced into conversion (most notably the Jewish population of Spain during the Spanish Inquisition).

Example Question #101 : Ap World History

The Sunni-Shiite division occurred __________.

Possible Answers:

after the decline of the Ottoman empire

during the Ottoman Empires rise to power

during the Crusades

in the first century after the foundation of Islam

when the Abbasid caliphate took power from the Umayyads

Correct answer:

in the first century after the foundation of Islam

Explanation:

The Sunni-Shiite division, which divides Muslims to this day, occurred in the mid-seventh century, less than a hundred years after the foundation of Islam. The division occurred as a result of different interpretations over who should hold power in Islam after the death of the Prophet Muhammad.

Example Question #102 : Ap World History

The Temple of the Sun was the chief place of worship for the __________ people.

Possible Answers:

Inca

Iroquois

Anasazi

Olmec

Moche

Correct answer:

Inca

Explanation:

The Temple of the Sun was the chief place of worship of the Inca people in their capital city of Cusco. The Sun God was the chief deity of the Inca people and the Emperor was meant to be revered as a living descendant (or incarnation) of the Sun God.

Example Question #103 : Ap World History

According to Islamic belief, Mohammed was visited by ___________.

Possible Answers:

Zoroaster, who passed on the word of God

the angel Gabriel, who passed on the word of God

Jesus Christ, who directed Mohammed to make a pilgrimage to Mecca

Moses, who encouraged Mohammed to found a holy community in Mecca

Abraham, who directed Mohammed to the holy city of Jerusalem

Correct answer:

the angel Gabriel, who passed on the word of God

Explanation:

According to Islamic belief, Mohammed was praying in the mountains one day, in the early seventh century, when he was visited by the angel Gabriel. Gabriel is believed to have passed on the word of God to Mohammed. It was from this divine incident that the religion of Islam would be formed.

 

 

Example Question #104 : Ap World History

What is the Dar al-Islam?

Possible Answers:

An Islamic holy book that provides moral guidance and is key to interpreting the Qur’an

The individual who is identified as the most direct living descendant of the Prophet Muhammad

A joint-stock company established in India by the Ottoman Empire

The belief that Islam will one day come spread to all the people on Earth

Everywhere in the world that is under the rule of Islamic law

Correct answer:

Everywhere in the world that is under the rule of Islamic law

Explanation:

The Dar al-Islam is the name given to everywhere in the world that is under the rule of Islamic law. Dar al-Islam literally means Abode of Islam or Home of Islam, and is contrasted against the Dar al-Harb, Abode of War.

Example Question #105 : Ap World History

In what century did Islam reach the Indian subcontinent?

Possible Answers:

Thirteenth century

Fifteenth century

Ninth century

Eleventh century

Seventh century

Correct answer:

Seventh century

Explanation:

After its formation in the sixth century, Islam spread rapidly around North Africa, Central and Southern Asia, and the Middle East. Islam had reached India by the early seventh century.

Example Question #106 : Ap World History

In which century was Islam founded?

Possible Answers:

Eleventh century

Ninth century

Tenth century

Eighth century

Seventh century

Correct answer:

Seventh century

Explanation:

Islam was founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the seventh century CE. It is an Abrahamic religion, which means it continues the same monotheistic tradition as Judaism and Christianity. Islam spread extremely rapidly around the Middle East and North Africa in the centuries after its foundation.

Example Question #107 : Ap World History

Which of these is not one of the Five Pillars of Islam?

Possible Answers:

Confession

Charity

Prayer

Pilgrimage

Fasting

Correct answer:

Confession

Explanation:

The Five Pillars of Islam are: Faith - the belief that Allah is the one God and Muhammad is his Prophet; Prayer - the action of praying five times a day in the direction of Mecca; Charity - giving a portion of one’s wealth to the needy; Fasting - the obligation to abstain from eating food during the daylight hours of the month of Ramadan; Pilgrimage - the duty, if one is able, to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in one’s lifetime.

Example Question #108 : Ap World History

Why is Jerusalem important in the Islamic faith?

Possible Answers:

It is the holy city, chosen by the Prophet Mohammed as the center of Islamic worship.

It is where the Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven.

It is where the Prophet Mohammed fled during the Hegira.

It is where the Prophet Mohammed first preached to his nascent religious community.

It is where the Prophet Mohammed was visited by the angel Gabriel.

Correct answer:

It is where the Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven.

Explanation:

Jerusalem, which is also a holy city to Jewish and Christian people, is an Islamic holy city because it is believed that the Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven from Jerusalem. The fact that Jerusalem is a holy city in the three largest monotheistic religions in the world has been a source of constant tension and bloodshed for more than one thousand years.

 

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