SAT II World History : Prehistory to 500 C.E.

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #23 : Southwest Asia And Africa

King Menes is generally credited with __________.

Possible Answers:

repelling Roman invasions into Ancient Egypt 

spreading Christianity into Ancient Egypt 

founding the first Ancient Egyptian dynasty

overthrowing the Egyptian Empire and establishing the Kush Empire 

building the pyramids of Giza 

Correct answer:

founding the first Ancient Egyptian dynasty

Explanation:

Menes is an Ancient Egyptian Pharoah who is usually credited with founding the first Egyptian dynasty and uniting Lower and Upper Egypt. 

Example Question #24 : Southwest Asia And Africa

The pyramids of Ancient Egypt were built to __________.

Possible Answers:

house grain and other food supplies during times of surplus 

serve as government administration buildings during the Middle Kingdom. 

demonstrate the might of the Egyptian Empire to would-be conquerers and travellers 

provide a grand place of worship for the Egyptian people

house the bodies of pharoahs after they had died

Correct answer:

house the bodies of pharoahs after they had died

Explanation:

The Pyramids were built during the Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egyptian history to house the bodies of Pharoahs after they had died. 

Example Question #101 : Sat Subject Test In World History

Nineveh was the capital of __________.

Possible Answers:

the Hittite Empire

the Shang Dynasty

the Sumerian Empire

the Zhou Dynasty

the Assyrian Empire

Correct answer:

the Assyrian Empire

Explanation:

Nineveh was the capital of the bellicose Assyrian Empire. It is most famous for its Royal Library, built under the reign of the most famous Assyrian ruler, Ashurbanipal. It was in the Royal Library that the famous work The Epic of Gilgamesh was kept and preserved. The Epic of Gilgamesh is considered the oldest known work of literature in human history.

Example Question #102 : Sat Subject Test In World History

Which King of the Hebrew people is known for the conquest of Jerusalem? 

Possible Answers:

Solomon

Joseph

Saul

David

Abraham

Correct answer:

David

Explanation:

Saul was the first king of the Hebrews and is best remembered for facing off against the Philistines. David followed Saul and is remembered as the conqueror of Jerusalem. 

Example Question #103 : Sat Subject Test In World History

The Akkadian Empire, sometimes called the earliest empire in human history, was formed by __________.

Possible Answers:

Ashurbanipal

Hammurabi

Nebuchadnezzar

Sargon the Great

Menes

Correct answer:

Sargon the Great

Explanation:

The Akkadian Empire is sometimes called the earliest empire in human history, although of course this is somewhat subjective as it is dependent on how exactly you define an empire. It was founded and dramatically expanded by Sargon the Great from 2234 B.C.E. until his death sixty years later. The Akkadian Empire was relatively short-lived and over time split into the Northern Assyrian Kingdom and the Southern Babylonian Kingdom. 

Example Question #101 : Prehistory To 500 C.E.

Which of the following groups flourished in Southern Egypt and Sudan around 2000 BCE?

Possible Answers:

The Numidians

The Carthaginians

The Malinese

The Zulu

The Nubians

Correct answer:

The Nubians

Explanation:

The Nubian civilization is one of the earliest known civilizations in African history. It arose in modern-day Southern Egypt and Sudan in approximately 2000 BCE. 

Example Question #106 : Prehistory To 500 C.E.

Studying the Bantu people reveals all of the following except _____________.

Possible Answers:

the spread and evolution of language, as seen in the language Swahili

early oral traditions that would influence the development of Christianity

the transmission of technical knowledge, like how to smelt iron

early trade connections between Malay, Madagascar, and Africa, as seen in the spread of the banana

the importance of kinship groups and communal property

Correct answer:

early oral traditions that would influence the development of Christianity

Explanation:

Although Bantu society valued oral traditions-as seen in the importance of griots, or those who told the oral history of the Bantu-these traditions did not directly influence Christianity. 

Example Question #1 : Other Global Regions

Polynesian peoples were able to reach most islands of the South Pacific through

Possible Answers:

longitude and latitude.

conventional maps.

celestial navigation.

well-established trade routes.

steam powered ships.

Correct answer:

celestial navigation.

Explanation:

Beginning in roughly 300 CE, the Polynesian peoples of the South Pacific began sailing to the various islands across the Pacific Ocean, reaching the Hawaiian islands by at least 800 CE. Using outrigger canoes and rafts built with sails, the Polynesians used a system of celestial navigation that was complimented by memorizing wind routes and swells.

Example Question #1 : Other Global Regions

The philosophies of Legalism, Confucianism, and Daoism arose during which Chinese Dynasty? 

Possible Answers:

Zhou Dynasty. 

Han Dynasty. 

Qin Dynasty. 

Ming Dynasty. 

Shang Dynasty. 

Correct answer:

Zhou Dynasty. 

Explanation:

The Zhou Dynasty is the longest lasting in Chinese history, ruling from circa 1000 B.C.E. to 256 B.C.E. During the Zhou Dynasty the Chinese philosophies of Daoism, Legalism, and Confucianism were founded and formalized. These three philosophies (or religions in some cases) have been influential to the direction of Chinese culture, society, and government. 

Example Question #2 : Other Global Regions

The Bhagavad Gita is a literary work of __________ and __________

Possible Answers:

India; Hinduism

Japan; Shinto

China; Confucianism

China; Daoism

India; Buddhism

Correct answer:

India; Hinduism

Explanation:

The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most important works of ancient Hinduism that continues to be relevant in Indian society to this day.

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