The calendars of the Maya | Starter Quiz | Oak National Academy

Match the word to its meaning.

• Maya

• a country in Central America

• Mesoamerica

• a region encompassing parts of Central America

• Honduras

• indigenous people of Mesoamerica

Answer explanation

The Maya are the indigenous people of Mesoamerica. Mesoamerica is a region encompassing parts of Central America. Honduras is a country in Central America.

Maya cities typically had a ceremonial centre. What other features were also found in most cities?

• ball court

• temple-pyramids

• car parks

• palaces

Answer explanation

Maya cities usually contained a ceremonial centre with temple-pyramids, ball courts and palaces.

What is a stela?

• a form of traditional clothing worn by Maya priests during ceremonies

• a standing stone or column typically with carvings, or hieroglyphs

• a type of ancient musical instrument used by the Maya

• a type of ancient writing tool made from reeds

Answer explanation

A stela is an upright stone slab or column bearing inscriptions or carvings, used to commemorate significant events.

Why did the Maya practice bloodletting?

• to speak to the gods

• to punish criminals

• to donate blood to sick people

• to give thanks to the gods

Answer explanation

The Maya practiced bloodletting because they believed that it would help them to speak to the gods. By bloodletting, Maya rulers showed their thanks to the gods, but also showed that they were the right people to rule.

The Maya used seeds from the ___ plant to make hot chocolate.

Answer explanation

The Maya used seeds from the cacao plant to make hot chocolate.

The Maya thought that maize was a sacred crop; it was used to make flat pancakes called ...

Answer explanation

The Maya thought that maize was a sacred crop; it was used to make flat pancakes called tortillas.