1.
How did the beliefs of the Israelites differ from those of most nearby peoples?
Correct Answer
D. They believed in one all-powerful god
Explanation
The beliefs of the Israelites differed from those of most nearby peoples because they believed in one all-powerful god. Unlike their neighbors who worshipped multiple gods, the Israelites believed in the monotheistic concept of a single, supreme deity. This belief in a singular, omnipotent god set them apart from the polytheistic religions of the surrounding cultures.
2.
Which of the following happened during Egypt's Middle Kingdom?
Correct Answer
B. Hyksos invaders occupied the Nile Delta
Explanation
During Egypt's Middle Kingdom, the Hyksos invaders occupied the Nile Delta. This was a significant event in Egyptian history as it marked a period of foreign rule and influence in the region. The Hyksos, who were likely of Canaanite origin, established their capital at Avaris and introduced new military technology such as chariots and composite bows. Their occupation of the Nile Delta ended the period of stability and prosperity that had characterized the Middle Kingdom and eventually led to the reunification of Egypt under the New Kingdom.
3.
The Ten Commandments are a set of laws that the Jews believe God gave them through:
Correct Answer
A. Moses
Explanation
The correct answer is Moses. According to Jewish belief, Moses was the one who received the Ten Commandments directly from God on Mount Sinai. He is considered a significant figure in Judaism and is credited with leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and delivering God's laws to them. Moses is regarded as a prophet and a leader in Jewish history, making him the most appropriate choice for the individual through whom the Jews believe God gave them the Ten Commandments.
4.
Who made a covenant with God, in which Canaan was promised to the Hebrew people?
Correct Answer
C. Abraham
Explanation
Abraham made a covenant with God, in which Canaan was promised to the Hebrew people. This covenant is known as the Abrahamic Covenant and it is a significant event in the Hebrew Bible. According to the biblical narrative, God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation and that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan. This promise is seen as the foundation of the Hebrew people's claim to the land of Israel.
5.
Persian thinker Zoroaster spread the idea of:
Correct Answer
D. Heaven, hell, judgment day
Explanation
Zoroaster, a Persian thinker, spread the idea of heaven, hell, and judgment day. These concepts were central to Zoroastrianism, the religion founded by Zoroaster. Zoroastrianism believed in a dualistic worldview, with a constant battle between good and evil. Zoroaster taught that individuals would be judged after death and either rewarded with eternal bliss in heaven or punished in hell. This belief in an afterlife and the idea of moral accountability greatly influenced subsequent religions, such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
6.
Which best describes how the Sumerians viewed the afterlife?
Correct Answer
C. As a grim underworld with no escape
Explanation
The Sumerians believed that the afterlife was a grim underworld with no escape. This suggests that they viewed the afterlife as a dark and unpleasant place, where individuals would be trapped forever without any possibility of escape. This perspective implies that the Sumerians did not hold a positive or hopeful view of the afterlife, but instead saw it as a bleak and eternal existence.
7.
Which of the following was a Sumerian innovation on which other civilizations built?
Correct Answer
D. Cuneiform
Explanation
Cuneiform was a Sumerian innovation on which other civilizations built. Cuneiform was one of the earliest known writing systems, developed by the Sumerians around 3200 BCE. It consisted of wedge-shaped marks made on clay tablets and was used for record-keeping, administrative purposes, literature, and communication. Cuneiform was later adopted and adapted by other civilizations in the ancient Near East, such as the Babylonians and Assyrians, who built upon its foundation and further developed the writing system for their own languages and purposes.
8.
The purpose of a ziggurat in Sumerian civilization was to:
Correct Answer
B. Keep the gods and goddesses happy
Explanation
The purpose of a ziggurat in Sumerian civilization was to keep the gods and goddesses happy. Ziggurats were massive stepped structures that served as religious temples. They were believed to be the dwelling places of the gods and were built as a way to honor and worship them. The Sumerians believed that by constructing these grand structures, they could ensure the favor and protection of their deities. The ziggurats were not primarily used for flood control, defense against invaders, or irrigation purposes, but rather as sacred spaces for religious rituals and offerings to please the gods.
9.
Hammurabi's Code was important because it was the first time that a state's laws:
Correct Answer
C. Were set down in writing
Explanation
Hammurabi's Code was important because it was the first time that a state's laws were set down in writing. This marked a significant development in legal history as it allowed for the laws to be more easily accessible and understood by the people. It also ensured that the laws were more consistent and could be enforced more effectively. Additionally, having the laws written down provided a sense of stability and predictability in society, as people could refer to the written code to understand their rights and obligations.
10.
The first five books of the Bible are also known as (the Hebrew word, not the Greek):
Correct Answer
B. The Torah
Explanation
The correct answer is The Torah. The Torah is the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, which are also known as the Pentateuch or the Five Books of Moses. It includes Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Torah is considered the most sacred text in Judaism and contains important laws, stories, and teachings for the Jewish people.