Online TAKS Practice

World History: Connections to Today, Grade 10

Unit 1: Early Civilizations

Benchmark Test

Click on the button next to the response that best answers the question. For best results, review World History: Connections to Today, Survey, chapters 1–3.

You may take the test as many times as you like. When you are happy with your results, you may e-mail your results to your teacher. Please obtain your teacher's permission before e-mailing.

1. Which of the following marked the beginning of history?
A the making of tools
B the discovery of artifacts
C the invention of writing
D the use of weapons

2. Which of the following developments happened last?
A People made stone tools.
B People lived together in villages.
C People developed a spoken language.
D People learned to grow food.

3. Use the diagram and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.



Which characteristic belongs in the empty circle?
A Hunters and Gatherers
B Very Small Population
C Cave Paintings
D Domestic Animals

4. The agricultural revolution made it possible for people to
A develop civilizations.
B discover fire.
C believe in an afterlife.
D develop spoken languages.

5. Which of the following physical features influenced the migration patterns of early peoples and led to the development of civilizations?
A coastline
B river valley
C plateau
D lake

6. The fact that the calendar we use today is similar to the one developed by ancient Egyptians is a result of
A social equality.
B environmental changes.
C cultural diffusion.
D organized religion.

7. Which sentence best describes reasons why Egyptian civilization developed along the Nile River?
A The river provided fertile soil for crops and served as a transportation route.
B The river provided protection from invaders and served as recreation for families.
C The river isolated Egyptians from other peoples and prevented cultural diffusion.
D The river was important to Egyptian religion and served as a burial place for pharaohs.

8. The process of mummification enabled Egyptians to
A create a system of picture writing.
B develop a calendar similar to the one we use today.
C prepare their dead for the afterlife.
D preserve statues and paintings.

9. Use the map and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.



Based on the map, the Fertile Crescent was land located
A east of the Zagros Mountains.
B along the Nile River.
C along the west coast of the Persian Gulf.
D between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

10. In what way does geography help explain the rise of both the Egyptian civilization and the Sumerian civilization?
A Both civilizations developed along a seacoast.
B Both civilizations developed in river valleys.
C Both civilizations developed near mountains.
D Both civilizations developed on islands.

11. Groups invaded and conquered civilizations in the Fertile Crescent because the
A Fertile Crescent lacked natural barriers.
B civilizations lacked effective leaders.
C Fertile Crescent could not support a civilization.
D civilizations made no important contributions to the world.

12. Judaism differed from other ancient religions because it
A began in the Fertile Crescent.
B was based on a belief in life after death.
C was monotheistic.
D taught that rulers were gods.

13. Judaism spread to the kingdom of Israel through
A trade between Egyptian pharaohs and Hebrew prophets.
B migration of the Hebrews to their promised land.
C conflict between Moses and Abraham.
D an agreement between Egypt and Israel.

14. From the time of early civilizations, people in India have depended on monsoons to
A provide energy to run machines.
B warm their homes in winter.
C bring rain to water crops.
D destroy pests that ruin crops.

15. Compared with other civilizations at that time, the Indus Valley civilization
A was smaller.
B was larger.
C had poorly planned cities.
D made no important contributions to the world.

16. As a result of mixing with the people they conquered, the Aryans
A changed from farmers to warriors.
B became servants.
C did not build cities and left few artifacts.
D learned new ways and built a new civilization.

17. Use the diagram and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.



Based on the diagram, Aryans were divided into classes according to their
A occupations.
B age and place of birth.
C religious beliefs.
D gender and race.

18. Due to the physical geography of China, early Chinese civilizations
A did not develop in river valleys.
B were spread over large amounts of land.
C were isolated from the rest of the world.
D made few advances in learning.

19. The rise and fall of dynasties in China was based on
A migrations of people from other lands.
B the Mandate of Heaven.
C trade with other civilizations.
D the caste system.

20. Which of the following Chinese achievements was likely the most important to the development of trade?
A silk-making
B accurate calendar
C bronze artwork
D writing system