7th Grade Social Studies
Final exam 2014 - 2015
Course: Ancient Civilizations
This exam is comprised of reading passages and one writing prompt.
Directions: Closely read the passages. After reading each text, answer the questions based on the
evidence from the text.
India-Gandhi
Source: 100 leaders.org
Mohandas Gandhi was heavily influenced by the discrimination he experienced while in South
Africa practicing law. In one incident he was forced to leave the first class car on a train because he was
not white and later had to give up his seat to a European passenger. He soon began developing the idea of
passive resistance which he called satyagraha (truth or force) to resist authority.
In 1914, Gandhi returned to India and began to organize passive resistance against the British
colonial government. Gandhi also adopted a lifestyle based on prayer, fasting and meditation. He urged
Indians to make Khaddar, or homespun cloth, to gain more economic independence by not relying on
expensive British cloth.
In 1939 he began a new campaign of civil disobedience to protest the colonial government’s tax
on salt. He led followers on a 250-mile march to the sea and gained international attention and additional
concessions from the British.
When World War II began, Gandhi demanded independence from the British in return for
India’s support. The British government arrested all the leaders of Gandhi’s political party, the Congress
Party. He spent another two years in prison.
After the war, the British government entered into discussion to grant independence to India but
split the country into two – India and Pakistan. Gandhi opposed dividing the country but agreed to it in
order to maintain peace between the largely Hindu population of India and the Muslim population of
Pakistan. On January 30, 1948, Gandhi was assassinated by a Hindu who was angered because Gandhi
negotiated with Muslims.
1-Read the excerpt: Mohandas Gandhi was heavily influenced by the discrimination he
experienced while in South Africa practicing law.
Which word most closely matches the meaning of “discrimination” as used in the sentence? (RI 7.4)
A-intolerance
B-bias
C-unjust
D-prejudice
2-What is the central idea of the passage? (RI 7.2)
A-Mohandas Gandhi used civil disobedience as a campaign of bringing about change in India.
B-Mohandas Gandhi desired to gain independence for India.
C-Mohandas Gandhi used passive resistance to break away from Britain’s control.
D-Mohandas Gandhi adopted a new life style to bring about change in India.
3-Which detail provides the best evidence to support the answer in the previous question? (RI 7.1)
A-In 1939 he began a new campaign of civil disobedience to protest the colonial government’s tax on
salt.
B-He led followers on a 250-mile march to the sea and gained international attention and additional
concessions from the British.
C-Gandhi also adopted a lifestyle based on prayer, fasting and meditation
D-He soon began developing the idea of passive resistance which he called satyagraha (truth or force) to
resist authority.
4-Read the excerpt: When World War II began, Gandhi demanded independence from the British
in return for India’s support.
What does the word “independence” mean as used in the text? (RI 7.4)
A-Gandhi desired freedom from British rule.
B-Gandhi advocated for autonomy for the people of India.
C-Gandhi wanted free will for his people.
D-Gandhi longed for self government in India.
5. What is the text structure of this passage?
A-Sequence
B-Problem/Solution
C-Cause/Effect
D-Description
Ancient Egypt-Ashoka
Source: 100leaders.org
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One of the greatest rulers in Indian history, Emperor Ashoka became a Buddhist and promoted
nonviolence and religious tolerance. After fighting a bloody war to gain the Deccan Plateau, King Ashoka
felt horror over the slaughter of 100,000 people, which inspired his conversion. He ruled by moral
example and established what may be the first welfare state in world history. By sending out missionaries
to proselytize, King Ashoka likely saved Buddhism as major world religion.
During his reign from 273 B.C.E. to 232 B.C.E., King Ashoka united most of the Indian
subcontinent, creating the largest empire in India’s history. Grandson of Chandragupta Maurya, the
founder of the Maurya Dynasty in India, King Ashoka went from being a man of war to a man of peace.
King Ashoka fought many battles to enlarge his kingdom, most notably the legendary Battle for
Kalinga (modern Orissa) on the Deccan Plateau, which resulted in the death of over 100,000 people. The
bloodshed from this conflict had a profound effect on him, inspiring him to convert to Buddhism.
From his capital of Pataliputra, King Ashoka sent out “dharma ministers” to ensure public
welfare and administer justice. He ordered the construction of hospitals and rest houses, the digging of
wells, and the planting of trees along the roadside. He promoted the ethical treatment of animals and the
distribution of medicine to all of his subjects.
King Ashoka ordered the building of thousands of stupas (hemispherical structures containing
relics of the Buddha and other saintly monks), and a lasting record of his beliefs remains on the numerous
rock edicts he had erected around India.
Of all his accomplishments, King Ashoka’s missionary efforts had the most profound long-term
effect. He sent out emissaries to Burma and the Himalayas, and even his own son and daughter went to
Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Without these activities, it is likely that Buddhism as a religion would have ceased to
exist, since in India, where the religion emerged from the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)
in the sixth century B.C.E., it lost influence as it reabsorbed into Hinduism.
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6-From his capital of Pataliputra, King Ashoka sent out “dharma ministers” to ensure public
welfare and administer justice.
Which word could best replace “justice” as used in the text? (RI 7.4)
A-King Ashoka wanted to ensure equality among the people.
B-King Ashoka aimed at providing fairness for the people.
C-King Ashoka ensured that honesty was the order of the day.
D-King Ashoka demanded that all citizens be respected.
7-What is the central idea of the passage? (RI 7.2)
A-Ashoka was one of the greatest rulers in Indian history.
B-Ashoka created the largest empire in India’s history.
C-Ashoka converted to Buddhism and demonstrated an example of moral leadership.
D-Ashoka accomplished many feats during his reign from 273 B.C.E. to 232 B.C.E.
8-Which statement provides the best evidence to support the central idea? (RI 7.1)
A-He promoted the ethical treatment of animals and the distribution of medicine to all of his subjects.
B-During his reign from 273 B.C.E. to 232 B.C.E., King Ashoka united most of the Indian subcontinent,
creating the largest empire in India’s history.
C-He ruled by moral example and established what may be the first welfare state in world history.
D-From his capital of Pataliputra, King Ashoka sent out “dharma ministers” to ensure public welfare and
administer justice.
9-Read the excerpt: The bloodshed from this conflict had a profound effect on him, inspiring him to
convert to Buddhism.
Which word could best replace “convert” as used in the sentence? (RI 7.4)
A-change
B-turn
C-transform
D-alter
10. What is the text structure of this passage?
A-Sequence
B-Problem/Solution
C-Cause/Effect
D-Description
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Ancient Egypt-Nefertiti
Source: Notable Biographies
Nefertiti is known for her elegant beauty. Her bust has been an icon for many women and for
many modern cosmetic lines. Many societies around the world have adopted the queen as a symbol of
true beauty. Some historians have even proclaimed her the most beautiful woman in the world. Whatever
people have said about her, one thing holds true—she remains renowned for her beauty after her death
and during her life as a queen.
During her reign as queen, Egypt went about many radical religious changes. Hundreds of years
of culture and worship had been exchanged for a new radical concept— Monotheism.
The old gods had been disregarded, temples shut down, and priests forced to change their ways. Many
historians believe this transition could have been hostile and was not adopted so easily by the citizens or
priests.
Her reign with Akhenaten was unlike the traditional ways Egypt had seen. She was more than just
a typical queen and helped to promote Akhenaten’s views. Her reign was only 12 years, but she was
perhaps one of the most powerful queens to ever rule. Supporting her husbands’ beliefs she changed her
name to Neferneferuaten-Nefertiti meaning, “The Aten is radiant of radiance [because] the beautiful one
has come.” Her importance was greatly valued by Akhenaten and he went to great lengths to show her as
his counterpart.
As queen, she took on powerful roles and showed herself in ways only Egyptian kings did. For
example, she was often shown with the crown of a pharaoh or was depicted in scenes of battle smiting her
enemies. Akhenaten valued her so much, that he also allowed her to practice that art of priesthood and she
too was allowed to make offerings to Aten.
Many Egyptologists believe that perhaps Akhenaten was born with deformities that hindered his
role as king. One of the ailments that was believed he had was bad vision. This illness could have made
his job difficult, in turn, he could have put trust into Nefertiti allowing her to decide many important
matters. He trusted her so much, that he went as far as placing her name next to his in his royal cartouche.
This was very unique and could have symbolized her as equal status next to Akhenaten.
11-Read the excerpt: Many historians believe this transition could have been hostile and was not
adopted so easily by the citizens or priests.
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Without changing the meaning of the sentence, which word could best replace “hostile” as used in
the text? (RI 7.4)
A-unfriendly
B-bitter
C-antagonistic
D-aggressive
12-What is the central idea of the passage? (RI 7.2)
A-Nefertiti took on powerful roles as queen and promoted Akhenaten’s views.
B-Nefertiti assumed roles that only Egyptian kings did and was successful as queen.
C-Nefertiti was a queen that promoted herself in ways only Egyptian kings did.
D-Nefertiti influenced her husband and was instrumental in making changes to Ancient Egypt.
18-Which detail provides the best evidence to support the answer in the previous question? (RI 7.1)
A-She was often shown with the crown of a pharaoh.
B-...he also allowed her to practice that art of priesthood.
C-Her reign was only 12 years.
D-He trusted her so much, that he went as far as placing her name next to his in his royal cartouche.
13-Read the excerpt: This was very unique and could have symbolized her as equal status next to
Akhenaten.
Which word most closely means “symbolized” as used in the sentence? (RI 7.4)
A-represented
B-suggested
C-conveyed
D-signified
14. What is the text structure of this passage?
A-Sequence
B-Problem/Solution
C-Cause/Effect
D-Description
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Writing Prompt
Role-World Historian
Audience-Teacher
Format-Memo
Task-You have read four (4) passages about leaders in ancient Egypt and ancient
India. Based on the sources, which leader made significant contributions in world
history? Cite evidence to support your position using two (2) sources.
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