SAT II World History : Ancient Religions and Paganism

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Ancient Religions And Paganism

Which of the following religions is the earliest monotheistic religion of the presented options?

Possible Answers:

Zoroastrianism

Christianity 

Eastern Orthodoxy 

Islam 

Hinduism 

Correct answer:

Zoroastrianism

Explanation:

Monotheistic religions are differentiated from polytheistic religions in that monotheistic religions believe in only one deity while polytheistic religions believe in many. Examples of monotheistic religions are Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, whereas examples of polytheistic religions are Hinduism, Paganism, and Roman, Egyptian, and Greek mythologies. 

Zoroastrianism arose in the eastern region of the ancient Persian Empire in about the seventh century BCE. It involves two opposing forces of good and evil and one god. Zoroastrianism is generally considered by historians to be the first monotheistic religion in human history and a great influencing factor in the development of Judaism and, later, Christianity and Islam. Today, somewhere between five hundred thousand and three million people identify as Zoroastrians.

Example Question #31 : World Religions

Which of these religions most heavily emphasizes oneness with nature? 

Possible Answers:

Confucianism

Judaism

Daoism

Deism

Hinduism

Correct answer:

Daoism

Explanation:

Daoism is an ancient religion founded approximately in the fourth century BCE. Its principle tenets are the belief in yin and yang and the balance of the universe. In Daoism, oneness with nature is very important.

Example Question #2 : Ancient Religions And Paganism

Which of the following is an early monotheistic religion that arose in the Persian Empire approximately in the seventh century BCE?

Possible Answers:

Zoroastrianism

Jainism

Islam

Sikhism

Buddhism

Correct answer:

Zoroastrianism

Explanation:

Zoroastrianism arose in the Persian Empire in roughly the seventh century BCE. Along with Judaism, it is one of the earliest known monotheistic religions. Its influence has waned significantly in the last thousand years, but it is still practiced by over 100,000 people worldwide.

Example Question #3 : Ancient Religions And Paganism

Zarathustra is the founder of which ancient religion? 

Possible Answers:

Arianism

Daoism

Zoroastrianism

Shinto

Gnosticism

Correct answer:

Zoroastrianism

Explanation:

Zarathustra, also called Zoroaster, is the founder of the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism is often considered to be the earliest known monotheistic religion, predating Judaism, although academic consensus on this has not yet been reached. 

Example Question #754 : Sat Subject Test In World History

The Ancient Indian religion of Jainism is centered around the principles of __________

Possible Answers:

good works and good faith 

abstinence and self-sacrifice 

obedience and hard work 

nonviolence and self-control

meditation and filial piety 

Correct answer:

nonviolence and self-control

Explanation:

Jainism is an Ancient Indian religion that arose in approximately the seventh century B.C.E. It still is influential today, although there are relatively few practicioners outside of India. The central tenets of Jainism are nonviolence and self-control. 

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