Kayla Larson
4/4/12
Kris Sloan
Formative Assessment
The goal of the lesson plan guiding this assessment is for students to
understand and describe the basics of the ancient Incan empire; there is a strong
emphasis on Machu Picchu, and how the remains of the city affects what we know
and think about the Incas today. Thus, this formative assessment will cover the
basics of the Incan empire with a specific focus on Machu Picchu. It is designed for a
Spanish I and/or II classroom, so students should be in eighth, ninth, or tenth grade. The
TEKS for this assessment are: §114.22. Levels I and II - Novice Progress Checkpoint
(One Credit Per Level); (2) Cultures. The student gains knowledge and understanding of
other cultures. The student is expected to: (B) demonstrate an understanding of the
products (what people create) and how they are related to the perspectives (how people
perceive things) of the cultures studied.
Multiple Choice:
In which modern day country is Machu Picchu located? B (Understanding)
a. Columbia
b. Perú
c. Chile
d. Argentina
Which archeologist is accredited with discovering the remains of Machu Picchu on July
24, 1911? A (Remembering)
a. Hiram Bingham
b. Gertrude Bell
c. John Camp
d. Sir Arthur Evans
In 1780 which indigenous leader organized a rebellion against the Spanish located in
Perú? C (Remembering)
a. Simón Bolívar
b. José Martí
c. Túpac Amaru
d. Miguel Hidalgo
What ancient civilization is believed to have built Machu Picchu? C (Remembering)
a. Aztec
b. Maya
c. Inca
d. Olmeca
In what part of the “Americas” was the ancient Incan empire located? B (Understanding)
a. North
b. South
c. Central
d. All the above
Fill-in-the-blank
1. Hiram Bingham is accredited with discovering the remains of Machu Picchu on
July 24, ________. 1911 (remembering)
2. Machu Picchu was built in the ________ century. Fifteenth
(understanding/applying)
3. The total size of Machu Picchu is ____ square feet. 5 (remembering)
4. The primary language of the ancient Incas was _______. Quechua
(understanding/applying)
5. The system the Incas used to archive dates and population size was called ___.
Quipu (remembering)
True/False
1. Hiram Bingham discovered Machu Picchu on accident. False (understanding)
2. Machu Picchu means “Holy Place” in Quechua. False (remembering)
3. There is evidence that Hiram Bingham was not the first person to find the ruins of
Machu Picchu. True (understanding)
4. Hiram Bingham was guided to Machu Picchu by a group of local campesinos.
True (understanding)
5. The Incan empire was divided into six regions. False
(remembering/understanding)
Short Answer
1. Identify three of the theories we discussed in class that describe why Machu
Picchu could have been abandoned, then select the one you believe is “most
plausible” and justify your answer. (Evaluating)
Food shortage, epidemic of disease, fire
2. Compare and contrast three reasons why living in such extreme terrain could have
influenced the development of the Incan Empire. (Analyzing)
Difficult to communicate, difficult to cultivate crops; easier to defend against
enemies not accustomed to such extreme conditions
3. Describe what life would have been like during the Spanish conquest of the Incan
empire by writing one paragraph from the point-of-view of an Incan citizen, and
one paragraph from the point-of-view of a Spanish conquistador. (Creating)
4. Identify two reasons why Machu Picchu an important archeological discovery.
(Analyzing)
Observatories found; shows they were expert aqueduct engineers through the
development of irrigation to the terraces where food was grown; displays
religious traits- door and windows built facing the direction of solstice sunrises
5. Evaluate how life is similar and different between the ancient Incan civilization
and society in the United States today. Give one example of a similarity, one
example of a difference, and justify you answer. (Evaluating)
Today we have complete separation of church and state; we still have a social net
that helps those in need today.