Social Studies Fall Assessment
Review the chapters 1 – 18 in your social studies text. At the end of each chapter is a
summary. Since we rushed through the chapters below, here are some specific detailed
questions. You have all of your previous quizzes, tests, and work in your ISN that can be
reviewed as well.
Chapter 11 “Ancient Hebrews and the Origins of Judaism” Study Guide
1. Who unified Judah and Israel?
What was the holy city that was established called?
2. What did this person provide for the people that they did not have before?
3. What did Moses bring to the Hebrew people?
4. The history of the Jews is recorded in what document?
Chapter 12 “The Struggle to Preserve Judaism” Study Guide
1. What was the most significant difference between Judaism and other ancient
religions? (polytheism vs. monotheism)
2. What was the biggest problem caused by the Diaspora?? How would Judaism survive?
3. When the Jews were held captive in Babylon, who encouraged them to hold onto
their beliefs?
4. What was the result of Yohanan ben Zaccai meeting with Roman leaders?
Chapter 13 “Geography and the Early Settlement of India” Study Guide
1. India is attached to Asia and surrounded on three sides by water. Because of
these features, what is India called? subcontinent
2. The Himalaya Mountains form India’s northern border. What is one possible
benefit of the mountains being there? Protection from enemies
3. The Brahmaputra, Ganges, and Indus rivers all start in the mountains. What is
one result / benefit of this? Water carries sediment (silt) good for farming
4. Where is the Khyber Pass? Why is this an important location? Hindu Kush Mountains
Chapter 14 “Unlocking the Secretes of Mohenjodaro” Study Guide
1. In what part of the Indian subcontinent was Mohenjodaro? The northwest
2. Archeologists found beaded necklaces and toys among the ruins at
Mohenjodaro. What might these objects suggest about the city? Its people had
time to make pretty things, people wore jewelry.
3. Archeologists found a structure that was 39 feet long and 8 feet deep. What
evidence did they find that made them think it was a pool? A drain
4. What was one feature of Mohenjodaro that was different from other
settlements built at the same time? It had a sewer system.
5. The homes of people in Mohenjodaro had from one to 12 rooms. What
does this suggest? Some people were wealthier than others.
6. Part of Mohenjodaro was raised and had walls around it. If this were all you
knew about Mohenjodaro, what is your best educated guess about what it
means? The city had enemies and the residents needed to protect themselves.
8. What are three possible reasons that Mohenjodaro disappeared? Invasion,
floods or earthquake, people left looking for food and water.
Chapter 15 “Learning About Hindu Beliefs” Study Guide
1. Historians disagree about the origins of Hinduism. Which of the following
do some historians believe? Traces of Hinduism can be found in artifacts from
India’s original settlers.
2. Veda is a Sanskrit word. When you translate it, what do you know about
Hindu values? Hinduism values knowledge.
3. The person who might have spoken these words is most likely a member of
what caste? “I have been learning about battle. My father is showing me how to
use different kinds of weapons so I will be a good warrior.” Kshatriyas
4. What image best represents samsara, the Hindu cycle of birth, life, and
death? A wheel
5. How is the Hindu belief of karma related to the caste system? People are in
a caste because of how they lived in past lives.
6. Which Hindu deity is believed to create the universe again and again? Brahma
7. Based on Vishnu’s appearance, what do you know about Hindus’ beliefs about
Vishnu? He is very strong.
Chapter 16 “The Story of Buddhism” Study Guide
1. What do Hinduism and Buddhism have in common? Belief in many lifetimes
2. In what order did these events in Buddha’s life happen? A. becomes an ascetic, B.
has a son, C. reaches enlightenment, D. leaves the palace
3. What did the Buddha believe would end people’s suffereing? Enlightenment or peace?
4. Buddhism’s Eightfold Path is similar to Hinduisms’s dharma or caste system?
Chapter 17 “Buddhism and the First Unification of India” Study Guide
1. When Ashoka became a Buddhist, he saw himself as a leader who was most like a?
father, brother, priest, or friend?
2. Which behavior of Ashoka’s expressed his Buddhist values best? Treating servants well
3. What did Ashoka do with territories he conquered? Kept them as part of the empire
4. How did Ashoka manage to keep India united? By keeping peace in the empire
Chapter 18 “The Achievements of the Gupta Empire” Study Guide
1. How was the Gupta Empire different from the Mauryan Empire? The subcontinent
was filled with small kingdoms with control given to the provinces
2. What strategy helped the Gupta Empire survive for a long time? Letting the
provinces make some decisions
3. What might an archaeologist find that would be evidence of a golden age? Beautiful
sculpture
4. What were some advances during the Gupta Empire? Decimal system, astronomy,
statues of famous people / religious figures carved into caves and walls,
metalworking (iron, coins of gold and copper), colleges and universities, paintings of
nobles in the Ajanta caves, Roads developed = trade and advances in literature.