CLEP Social Science & History

1. 4.Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are noted primarily for their contribution in the field of:

A.Science

B.Political science

C.Literature

D.Philosophy

E.Art

While they may have made contributions in other areas, they were primarily philosophers.

Explanation

While they may have made contributions in other areas, they were primarily philosophers.

2. 2. The process by which one civilization shares knowledge and ideas with another civilization is called:

A. Cultural assimilation

B. Cultural diffusion

C. Imperialism

D. Militarism

E. Manorialism

Since the word "diffusion" means "to spread," this is the best answer. "Assimilation" means "to absorb," not "to share." Imperialism and militarism would be more concerned with conquering another culture.

Explanation

Since the word "diffusion" means "to spread," this is the best answer. "Assimilation" means "to absorb," not "to share." Imperialism and militarism would be more concerned with conquering another culture.

3. 3.Ancient Greece was primarily a:

A. Great empire ruled by a monarch

B. Great nation ruled by a democratic system

C. Number of independent city-states

D. Primitive civilization

E. Large agricultural area

Greece was never a nation in the modern sense, but rather a series of city-states such as Sparta and Athens. This rules out choices A and B. D can be ruled out because much of our politacal system, and philosophical roots can be traced back to Greece.

Explanation

Greece was never a nation in the modern sense, but rather a series of city-states such as Sparta and Athens. This rules out choices A and B. D can be ruled out because much of our politacal system, and philosophical roots can be traced back to Greece.

4. 5.The most important contribution made by the Romans to Western civilization was:

A. Their art, architecture, and literature

B.The cities and roads they built

C.The Latin language

D.Their economic system

E.Their political system, with its influence on law and politics

This question asks for the longest-lasting effect of the Romans on Western civilization. This type of question asks for the BEST answer, not just a correct one. For this reason, even though the Romans affected Western culture in all five areas, the fact that many of our laws are still based on the Roman justice system would lead you to the correct answer.

Explanation

This question asks for the longest-lasting effect of the Romans on Western civilization. This type of question asks for the BEST answer, not just a correct one. For this reason, even though the Romans affected Western culture in all five areas, the fact that many of our laws are still based on the Roman justice system would lead you to the correct answer.

5.

The populations of the cradles of civilization were primarily:

A. Merchants

B. Hunters

C. Food gatherers

D. Craftsmen

E. Farmers

The word "cradles" indicates beginnings, and therefore farmers, not merchants or craftsmen allowed for great numbers of people to settle in one place. The hunting and gathering periods were before the dawn of civilizations.

Explanation

The word "cradles" indicates beginnings, and therefore farmers, not merchants or craftsmen allowed for great numbers of people to settle in one place. The hunting and gathering periods were before the dawn of civilizations.

6. 7.Constantinople became the center of:

A.The Greco-Roman civilization

B.The western region of the Roman Empire

C.The Byzantine culture

D.The Catholic Church

E.Western Civilization

Rome was the center for the other answers. Remember the Byzantine empire was formed when the Roman empire was split in two. It was initially responsible for the eastern section of the Roman empire.

Explanation

Rome was the center for the other answers. Remember the Byzantine empire was formed when the Roman empire was split in two. It was initially responsible for the eastern section of the Roman empire.

7. 8.The deurbanization which took place during the decline of the Roman Empire resulted in:

A.Cities becoming the centers of government

B.Industrial expansion of the empire

C.An agrrarian society during the Middle Ages

D.The revitalization of the Greco-Roman Civilization

E.The end of Western civilization

This deurbanization led to the feudal system in teh Middle Ages. People moved away from the larger cities to the countryside where they became farmers.

Explanation

This deurbanization led to the feudal system in teh Middle Ages. People moved away from the larger cities to the countryside where they became farmers.

8. 6.Which of the following caused explosive growth in the Christian religion during the 4th century?

A.The emperors who made it the state religion of the Roman Empire

B.The Germanic tribes who spread Christianity to Western Europe

C.The persistence of the early Christians

D.The adoption of the Christianity by the Byzantine Empire

E.The rejection of Christianity by the Greeks

This type of question requires that you make an evaluation and draw a conclusion. The fact that the emperors adopted it allowed Christianity to spread before Rome was conquered by the germans or the Byzantine empire split off.

Explanation

This type of question requires that you make an evaluation and draw a conclusion. The fact that the emperors adopted it allowed Christianity to spread before Rome was conquered by the germans or the Byzantine empire split off.