SAT II World History : Rise of Islam

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Rise Of Islam

Under Islamic rule, Jews in Iberia

Possible Answers:

had limited legal rights that greatly restricted their influence.

were protected from abuses by Muslims by Christian benefactors.

were forced into mass deportation due to persecution.

were equally persecuted by Muslims and Christians alike.

flourished under the patronage of Muslim rulers.

Correct answer:

flourished under the patronage of Muslim rulers.

Explanation:

When Islamic armies conquered Spain during the eighth century, they gave more legal rights to the Jewish population of their new kingdoms. Conquering almost all of the Iberian Peninsula within one hundred years, giving Jews positions of influence and power as advisors and tradesmen. When Christians fully retook the Peninsula in 1492, the Christian Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella began the Inquisition, which either forced the Jews to convert to Catholicism or flee the country.

Example Question #1 : Rise Of Islam

Within 100 years of the death of Muhammad, Islamic armies had made it as far from Arabia as 

Possible Answers:

Spain.

Morocco.

Northern Germany.

Central France.

England.

Correct answer:

Central France.

Explanation:

The Prophet Muhammad died in 632, having united the entire Arabian peninsula into a single polity under Islam. By 732, Islamic armies had swept across north Africa, conquered the Iberian Peninsula, and were heading into France. At the Battle of Tours, a Christian army under Charles Martel defeated the Islamic army of Abdul Rahman, halting the Islamic advance and making the Muslim armies stop in Spain.

Example Question #2 : Rise Of Islam

The primary sacred religious text of Islam is called __________.

Possible Answers:

the Vedas 

the Bible

the Torah 

the Quran 

the Gospels

Correct answer:

the Quran 

Explanation:

The primary sacred religious text of Islam is called the Quran. The Bible is the primary sacred religious text of Christianity; the Torah the primary sacred religious text of Judaism; and the Vedas the primary sacred religious texts of Hinduism. The Gospels are a part of the Christian New Testament of the Bible that tells of Jesus Christ from various perspectives (most importantly Matthew's, Mark's, Luke's, and John's).

Example Question #3 : Rise Of Islam

After his flight from Mecca, the prophet Muhammad resided in __________.

Possible Answers:

Jerusalem 

Medina

Karachi 

Madrid 

Susa 

Correct answer:

Medina

Explanation:

The prophet Muhammad is considered by Muslims to be the last prophet sent by God to mankind in order to restore the true monotheistic religion of Abraham. He unified the region of Arabia under one religion, Islam, and paved the way for the subsequent fifteen hundred years of Islamic history. In the early years of his preaching, Muhammad was mostly condemned by the authorities in Mecca, so he and his followers fled to Medina, where he continued to teach and preach for eight years until he had gained a large enough following to march on the city of Mecca.

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