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Descriptive Statements:
- Examine the Neolithic Revolution and the birth of human civilization, including the growth of agriculture, the domestication of animals, social differentiation, economic specialization, political organization, and the emergence of towns.
- Analyze major geographic, social, political, economic, and cultural characteristics of early civilizations in Mesopotamia and the Near East, including Sumer, Babylonia, the Assyrian Empire, Hittite civilization, the Hebrew kingdoms, and Phoenicia.
- Analyze major geographic, social, political, economic, and cultural characteristics of early civilizations in North Africa and the Mediterranean, including the Egyptian, Minoan, and Mycenaean civilizations.
- Analyze major geographic, social, political, economic, and cultural characteristics of early civilizations in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, including the Shang and Zhou dynasties of China, the Indus and Aryan cultures of India, the African kingdom of Kush, and the Olmec civilization of Mesoamerica.
- Examine major population movements and commercial and cultural interactions within and between Eurasia, Africa, and the Americas from 4000 to 500 BCE.
- Demonstrate knowledge of significant developments of the period, including bronze-making and iron-making technology, the invention of plows, the domestication of horses, the construction of ships, the use of written records, and the advent of monotheistic religion.
- Recognize chronological relationships between major global events and developments of the period.
Sample Item:
Two rivers flow into the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and the Asian continent. The area around these two rivers is shaded.
The lightly shaded region on the map above marks the territory controlled by which of the following ancient civilizations?
- the Hittites
- the Babylonians
- the Persians
- the Phoenicians
Correct Response and Explanation (Show Correct ResponseHide Correct Response)
B. This question requires the examinee to analyze major geographic, social, political, economic, and cultural characteristics of early civilizations in Mesopotamia and the Near East. Beginning in about 1600 BCE and continuing for 400 years, the Babylonian Empire under the Kassites extended some 400 miles upstream from the mouths of the Tigris and Euphrates, embracing six major cities and the rich farmlands that surrounded them on either side of the two rivers.
Descriptive Statements:
- Examine the evolution, characteristics, and contributions of ancient Greek civilization.
- Analyze major events, developments, characteristics, and contributions of ancient Roman society and the formation, expansion, and decline of the Roman Empire.
- Examine major geographic, social, political, economic, and cultural characteristics of Iranian, Indian, and Chinese civilizations, including the Persian Empire, the Mauryan and Gupta empires, the beliefs and practices of Brahmanism, the Qing unification of China, Han government and expansion, and the influence of Confucianism and Taoism in China.
- Examine major geographic, social, political, economic, and cultural characteristics of civilizations in Africa and the Americas during the period, including the formation of Sudanic trading kingdoms, the Bantu migrations, and Mayan science, religion, and society.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the principal beliefs, sacred texts, and historical development of Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
- Recognize chronological relationships between global events and developments of the period.
Sample Item:
Which of the following is a central belief of Buddhism?
- The forces of good and evil are in an endless struggle for control of the universe.
- Human beings can avoid suffering by eliminating their desire for material goods and physical pleasures.
- The welfare of a community depends on the religious devotion of its members.
- Salvation can be attained only through absolute obedience to an all-powerful deity.
Correct Response and Explanation (Show Correct ResponseHide Correct Response)
B. This question requires the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of the principal beliefs, sacred texts, and historical development of Buddhism. According to Buddhist teachings, because all things—whether material objects or human beings—are transitory, desire for them will inevitably produce suffering. Only when human beings can rid themselves of desire can they escape discontent and suffering and attain happiness.
Descriptive Statements:
- Examine major geographic, social, political, economic, and cultural characteristics of the Byzantine Empire, including Justinian's conquests and legal reforms; the role of the Orthodox Church in Byzantine society; the work of Byzantine artists, architects, and scholars; and the influence and decline of Byzantine civilization.
- Analyze major geographic, social, political, economic, and cultural characteristics of Islamic civilization, including the principal beliefs of Islam, the expansion of Islamic civilization, the growth of Muslim commerce, the work of Islamic scholars, and disunity and division within the Muslim caliphate.
- Analyze major social, political, and economic developments in Europe during the period, including the emergence of feudalism, the role of the Catholic Church in medieval civilization, the contributions and experiences of the Jewish people, the creation of the Holy Roman Empire, the rise of Russian civilization, the Crusades, the Black Death, and the Hundred Years' War.
- Examine major political, social, economic, and cultural developments in India, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, including the Muslim-Hindu encounter in India, Tang government and culture, the Sung commercial revolution, Japanese feudalism and the rise of the samurai, and the Indianization of Southeast Asia.
- Demonstrate knowledge of major features of Mongol society and developments related to the Mongol invasions, including Mongol political structure and military tactics; the leadership of Genghis Khan; Mongol rule in China, Russia, Korea, and Southwest Asia; and the effect of the Mongol invasions on relations between Europe and Asia.
- Examine the geographic, political, economic, and cultural characteristics of major civilizations in Africa and the Americas during the period, including the spread of Islam south of the Sahara; the rise and decline of the Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires; the emergence of Swahili culture and commerce; Aztec religion and society; and Incan government and expansion.
- Recognize chronological relationships between major global events and developments of the period.
Sample Item:
Which of the following was the most important factor in the growth and expansion of the West African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai between 600 and 1600 CE?
- the incorporation of Islamic religion and culture
- large and well-trained military forces
- the control of trans-Saharan trade routes
- charismatic political and religious leaders
Correct Response and Explanation (Show Correct ResponseHide Correct Response)
C. This question requires the examinee to examine the geographic, political, economic, and cultural characteristics of major civilizations in Africa. Control of trans-Saharan trade routes enabled major West African kingdoms to obtain the wealth needed to support government officials and maintain armies in their expanding empires.
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