AP World History : Literature, Art, and Architecture 600 CE to 1450

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #421 : Cultural History

Chaucer and Dante are noteworthy for __________.

Possible Answers:

contributing to the growth of vernacular languages in Europe during the Middle Ages

challenging the secular authority of the Papacy during the Middle Ages

leading the failed Children’s Crusade in the twelfth century

their attempts to discover a northwest passage to Asia across the American continent

founding the world’s first universities, in Oxford and Bologna respectively

Correct answer:

contributing to the growth of vernacular languages in Europe during the Middle Ages

Explanation:

Geoffrey Chaucer and Dante Alighieri are noteworthy for their contributions to the growth of vernacular languages in Europe during the Middle Ages. Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales contributed to the spread of vernacular English in England and Dante’s Inferno (and other famous works) contributed to the spread of vernacular Italian in Italy. In both of these countries, and elsewhere in Europe, writing had usually been done in Latin, making it inaccessible for the vast majority of the population.

Example Question #21 : Literature, Art, And Architecture 600 Ce To 1450

Wu Chengen is most famous for __________.

Possible Answers:

his contributions to mathematics and astronomy

authoring The Art of War

authoring Journey to the West

authoring The Tale of Genji

his contributions to philosophy and political theory

Correct answer:

authoring Journey to the West

Explanation:

Wu Chengen is most famous for authoring Journey to the West. Wu lived during the Ming dynasty, but his most famous work is based on the travels of Xuanzang in the 600s CE. Xuanzang travelled to the Indian subcontinent and returned to China with a treasure trove of Buddhist writings and artefacts.

Example Question #61 : Literature, Art, And Architecture

Europeans first began building stone castles __________.

Possible Answers:

after Marco Polo wrote extensively about the stone castles of Yuan China

as a result of their exposure to Mongol stone castles in the Ilkhan Empire

as a result of their exposure to Islamic stone castles in Al-Andalus

as a result of their exposure to Islamic stone castles during the Crusades

after Marco Polo wrote extensively about the stone castles of the Delhi Sultanate

Correct answer:

as a result of their exposure to Islamic stone castles during the Crusades

Explanation:

Europeans first began building stone castles in the twelfth century, as a result of their exposure to the Islamic stone castles they encountered during the Crusades. Prior to this, most castles in Europe were built of wood and were naturally much less effective. The introduction of stone castles contributed to the growth of the feudal system in Europe at this time, as castles allowed for lords to more effectively protect their lands.

Example Question #22 : Literature, Art, And Architecture 600 Ce To 1450

Where was Borobudur built?

Possible Answers:

Mauryan India

Indonesia

Gupta India

Song China

Khmer Cambodia

Correct answer:

Indonesia

Explanation:

Borobudur was built in Indonesia in the ninth century. It is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in the world.

Example Question #23 : Literature, Art, And Architecture 600 Ce To 1450

The movement in European architecture from short, thick walls with low, rounded arches to taller buildings with thin walls, large windows, and pointed arches can also be classified as a transition from _________________.

Possible Answers:

Gothic to Romanesque 

Gothic to Neoclassical 

Modern to Post Modern 

Pre-Romanesque to Romanesque 

Romanesque to Gothic 

Correct answer:

Romanesque to Gothic 

Explanation:

Gothic architecture is defined by the desire of reaching towards the heavens. This drove builders to design taller structures, larger windows, delicate features, and thinner walls. All meant to glorify God. Romanesque architecture, on the other hand, represents an earlier movement with less technological advances that resulted in shorter, squatter buildings with thick walls and small windows. 

Example Question #24 : Literature, Art, And Architecture 600 Ce To 1450

Which of these is considered to be Japan’s classical era?

Possible Answers:

the Kamakura period

the Tokugawa Shogunate

the Heian period

the Muromachi period

the Meiji Restoration

Correct answer:

the Heian period

Explanation:

The Heian period of Japanese history, which began in the late-eighth century and ended in 1185, is considered to be the classical era of Japanese history. This period of Japanese history was relatively peaceful, prosperous, and culturally accomplished.

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