SAT II World History : SAT Subject Test in World History

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #121 : Sat Subject Test In World History

Which of the following groups are indigenous people who have inhabited the tundra of North America since at least 3000 B.C.E.?

Possible Answers:

The Inuit

The Iroquois

The Sioux

The Shoshone

The Pueblo

Correct answer:

The Inuit

Explanation:

The Inuit people (often popularly called "Eskimos") have inhabited the Arctic tundra since at least 3000 B.C.E. Their society was based around hunting caribou and seals, and they survive in the very coldest regions of North America to this day.

Example Question #1 : North And South America Prior To 500 C.E.

Which of these is the earliest known Mesoamerican civilization? 

Possible Answers:

The Incas

The Olmecs

The Aztecs

The Nazcas

The Maya

Correct answer:

The Olmecs

Explanation:

The earliest known civilization in Mesoamerica is the Olmec Empire. The Olmec Empire emerged approximately 1500 BCE and lasted as an empire until approximately 400 BCE. The Olmec people are known for their unique art and architecture.

Example Question #123 : Sat Subject Test In World History

Tehuacan was an early agricultural community in which moden-day country?

Possible Answers:

Colombia

Brazil

Costa Rica

Mexico

United States of America

Correct answer:

Mexico

Explanation:

The Agricultural Revolution took place in Mesoamerica around 5,000 B.C.E. The earliest known agricultural site in the Americas is at Tehuacan in modern-day Mexico. Even if you did not know the answer to this question you could have reasonably inferred from the similarities between Tehuacan and Teotihuacan (a well-known Aztec community). 

Example Question #121 : Sat Subject Test In World History

Which of these empires did the most to facilitate trade between the Far East and the European and Arabian worlds?

Possible Answers:

The Iberian Empire

The Mughal Empire

The Hunnic Empire

The Mongol Empire

The Olmec Empire

Correct answer:

The Mongol Empire

Explanation:

The Mongol Empire is the largest land empire the world has ever seen. At its height, it stretched from Siberia down to the Middle East and from China to Eastern Europe. The Mongols committed some of the worst atrocities in human history to conquer their empire, but once their empire was conquered, it facilitated trade in a way unseen previously in human history. The fact that all territory between China and the Mediterranean was effectively governed by one administration ensured that trade could flow freely and people could move safely as never before.

Example Question #2 : 500 C.E. To 1500 C.E.

Who is credited with connecting Europe and Asia into one trade network?

Possible Answers:

Otto von Bismarck 

Justinian I

Attila the Hun 

Kublai Khan 

Genghis Khan 

Correct answer:

Genghis Khan 

Explanation:

Genghis Khan conquered the largest empire the world has ever seen. His empire stretched from China all the way to Central Europe and from Northern Russia down to the Middle East. It was the first incidence in human history where the massive stretch of land between Asia and Europe could be considered somewhat unified and organized. This connected Europe and Asia into one cohesive trade network for the first time in human history and helped facilitate the exchange of ideas, produce, and disease across the entire landmass.

Example Question #2 : Political And Governmental Structures 600 Ce To 1450

Which of the following best defines meritocracy?

Possible Answers:

A system where promotions are made based on ability rather than familial status

The name given to Genghis Kahn’s style of intimidation and warfare

The name given to the Japanese concept of chivalry and honor

None of the other answer choices is correct.

A religious sect of ancient Confucianism 

Correct answer:

A system where promotions are made based on ability rather than familial status

Explanation:

Meritocracy is the name given to a system in which promotions are made and jobs awarded based on the ability of an individual rather than the status of his or her family. Genghis Khan famously introduced this concept to his Mongolian forces, greatly improving the efficiency of his forces and the loyalty of his men.

Example Question #4 : 500 C.E. To 1500 C.E.

During the eleventh and twelfth centuries, trebuchets began to emerge in Europe and the Middle East; they were primarily used __________.

Possible Answers:

as siege weapons 

as close-combat weapons 

for defensive purposes 

to spot enemies from a safe distance 

for caring for the sick and wounded 

Correct answer:

as siege weapons 

Explanation:

Trebuchets are siege weapons that became a popular component of medieval war-making in the twelfth century. A trebuchet is similar in design to a catapult, although significantly more complicated and effective. Trebuchets were eventually phased out in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries with the advent of gunpowder and cannons.

Example Question #1 : 500 C.E. To 1500 C.E.

The invention of gunpowder occurred in __________.

Possible Answers:

Russia

Germany

China

England

France

Correct answer:

China

Explanation:

The invention of gunpowder happened in China sometime around the ninth or tenth century. The China of this time period was a highly innovative society that gave the world many notable inventions, including block printing and compass navigation at sea. Gunpowder spread across Central Asia and the Middle East before arriving in Europe around the thirteenth century.

Example Question #1 : Europe

Which of these men was primarily responsible for the creation of the Frankish Kingdom in the sixth century? 

Possible Answers:

Charlemagne

Clovis

Alaric

Augustus Caesar

Charles the Bald

Correct answer:

Clovis

Explanation:

The Frankish Kingdom arose in the sixth century in an area that comprises most of modern-day France and the Low Countries. It was built on the conquest of Clovis, who converted to Christianity having won a major battle; however, in Frankish culture, the territory of a ruler is divided between his sons, so the Frankish Kingdom continued to fracture and be reformed through conquest for the next few hundred years.

Example Question #7 : 500 C.E. To 1500 C.E.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, __________ was the first person to be crowned "Emperor of the Romans."

Possible Answers:

Charlemagne

Pepin

Atilla 

Octavian

Genghis Khan

Correct answer:

Charlemagne

Explanation:

Charlemagne is the most famous and most successful (in terms of military conquests) of all the Frankish kings. At the height of his empire in the year 800 CE, he controlled all of modern-day France, and much of modern-day Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, and the Low Countries. Because he was a powerful and devout Christian ruler, he was invited to become the first "Emperor of the Romans" in a few hundred years, an invitation he gleefully accepted.

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