World History : World History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : World History

Which of these is a defining feature of Olmec art and culture?

Possible Answers:

Ornate gold and silver statuary

Intricate weaving and knotting

Brightly colored fabrics

Colossal stone heads

Correct answer:

Colossal stone heads

Explanation:

The Olmec colossal heads are one of the most recognizable features of their art and culture. Carved from volcanic basalt, the heads are believed to represent rulers of the Olmec people, often dressed as ballplayers.

Example Question #11 : Mesoamerican Cultures

The Triple Alliance was another name for which Mesoamerican empire?

Possible Answers:

Mayan Empire

Aztec Empire

Amymara Empire

Toltec Empire

Incan Empire

Correct answer:

Aztec Empire

Explanation:

The Aztecs were actually an alliance of the city states of Texcoco, Tlacopan, and Tenochtitlan. Speakers of the Nahuatl language, the states in central Mexico came to dominate other cities throughout the region through demands of tribute. The primary city-state in the alliance was Tenochtitlan.

Example Question #61 : World History

When does the Muslim calendar begin?

Possible Answers:

The year Mohammed died

The year Mohammed was born

None of these

The year Mohammed fled from the city of Mecca

Correct answer:

The year Mohammed fled from the city of Mecca

Explanation:

Known as the Hijrah, Mohammed fled the city of Mecca with his followers; this event marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.

Mohammed's birth date is celebrated in some Muslim communities as the holiday Mawlid, but it is not the beginning of the Muslim calendar.

Mohammed's death is an important event in Muslim history but not the beginning of the Muslim calendar.

Example Question #2 : Birth Of Islam

What denomination of Islam is the largest, comprising approximately 75%-90% of all Muslims?

Possible Answers:

Sunni

Sufi

Turkic

Wahabi

Shia

Correct answer:

Sunni

Explanation:

The vast majority of Muslim worshippers worldwide are Sunni. They believe that Islam's first caliph was Muhammad's father-in-law Abu Bakr. This is different from the main minority denomination in Islam, Shia, who believe that Islam's first caliph was Ali ibn Abi Talib - Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law. The split in denominations occurred almost immediately after Muhammad's death, but was greatly exacerbated after the Battle of Karbala in 680. 

Example Question #1 : Birth Of Islam

Where was the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate (661-750), the second Islamic Caliphate established after the death of Muhammad?

Possible Answers:

Istanbul

Baghdad 

Damascus

Medina

Mecca

Correct answer:

Damascus

Explanation:

The Umayyad Caliphate was the second of four major Islamic caliphates established after the death of Muhammad. Although the Umayyad family was from Mecca, they established their capital in Damascus, in modern day Syria. The Umayyads continued the Muslim conquests that had begun earlier, adding territories in North Africa and stretching all the way to Al-Andalus in Spain. At its peak, the Umayyad Caliphate was the ruler of 62 million people, around 29% of the world population at the time. 

Example Question #2 : Birth Of Islam

Where was the capital of the Abbassid Caliphate (750-1258, 1261-1517), the third Islamic Caliphate established after the death of Muhammad? 

Possible Answers:

Mecca

Damascus

Baghdad

Istanbul

Medina

Correct answer:

Baghdad

Explanation:

The Abbassid Caliphate overthrew the Umayyad Caliphate in 750. Although the Abbassids were also from Mecca, they established their capital in Baghdad, in modern day Iraq. Although not as expansionary as the Umayyads, the Abbassid Caliphate was renowned for advancements in culture and science during the time known as the "Islamic Golden Age" that ended when Mongol invaders sacked Baghdad in 1258.

Example Question #5 : Birth Of Islam

The Muslim prophet, Muhammad, first belonged to the ___________________, a merchant tribe in Mecca. 

Possible Answers:

Quraysh

Ummayads

Rashiduns

Fatimid

Abbasids

Correct answer:

Quraysh

Explanation:

The Quraysh were a powerful tribe that controlled Mecca at the beginning of Islamic history. Muhammad originated from this tribe, but he and his Muslim followers would later battle against them as the religion of Islam grew. The other answers are incorrect because they are either caliphates that came from the Quraysh (Abbasid, Ummayad, Fatimid), or refer to a term that means "rightly guided" (Rashidun).

Example Question #6 : Birth Of Islam

The Rashidun (or "rightly guided") caliphs included all of the following EXCEPT ________________.

Possible Answers:

'Umar

'Ali ibn Abi Talib

'Uthman

Abu Bakr

Muhammad

Correct answer:

Muhammad

Explanation:

The Rashidun Caliphs ruled the Muslim community in the immediate few decades following Muhammad's death. Therefore, Muhammad is the incorrect answer.

Example Question #2 : Birth Of Islam

In 622, Muhammad and his followers migrated from ________________ to ________________ for his safety. This journey is now referred to as the "Hijrah".

Possible Answers:

Yemen . . . Medina

Mecca . . . Yemen

Mecca . . . Medina

Medina . . . Mecca

Mecca . . . Egypt

Correct answer:

Mecca . . . Medina

Explanation:

622 marks a famous year in Muslim history - one in which Muhammad left his birthplace of Mecca and fled to Medina (then referred to as Yathrib). The other answers are incorrect because they refer to other locations in the Middle East that Muhammad did not travel to.

Example Question #3 : Birth Of Islam

The five "pillars" of the Islamic faith include all of the following EXCEPT ______________.

Possible Answers:

Salat ("Prayer")

Shahada ("Testifying the 'One-ness' of God")

Sawm ("Fasting")

Q'ara ("To read the Qu'ran")

Zakat ("Charity")

Correct answer:

Q'ara ("To read the Qu'ran")

Explanation:

The five pillars of Islam dictate the actions of a good practicing Muslim. Although the Qu'ran is the central text of the religion, reading it is not counted among the five pillars - thus "Q'ara" (To read) is the correct answer.

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