7th Grade Social Studies Pre-Test

How might historians use multiple sources to better understand the causes of the fall of the Western Roman Empire?

• By choosing the most recent source as the most reliable
• By analyzing the accuracy of different sources from various perspectives
• By focusing on sources that agree with modern interpretations
• By ignoring conflicting information to create a single narrative

Compare the government structure of Ancient Greece to that of Ancient Rome. How did these differences influence their respective legacies in Western civilization?

• Greece’s lack of centralized power weakened its influence, while Rome’s centralized government inspired modern totalitarian states.
• Greece’s and Rome’s governments were identical, leading to similar impacts on Western legal systems.
• Greece’s direct democracy allowed more citizen participation, influencing modern democratic practices, while Rome’s republic contributed to the development of representative institutions.
• Rome’s empire-building led to its influence on modern autocratic regimes, whereas Greece’s democracy had little impact on the modern world.

Evaluate how internal political corruption and external pressures contributed to the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Which factor played a more critical role?

• Internal corruption weakened Rome’s military response, making it vulnerable to external invasions.
• External pressures, such as barbarian invasions, were the primary cause, as Rome’s political system was still strong.
• Internal corruption had little effect; external pressures were solely responsible for the collapse.
• Historians are not sure which factors were more damaging to Western Rome.

How did the Mongol Empire’s rule influence trade and cultural exchange between Europe and Asia?

• The Mongol Empire isolated Europe from Asia, leading to a decline in trade and cultural exchange.
• The Mongol Empire expanded trade routes, such as the Silk Road, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies between Europe and Asia.
• The Mongol Empire imposed strict trade restrictions, limiting the interaction between Europe and Asia.
• The Mongol Empire’s conquests led to the destruction of trade routes, reducing cultural exchanges.

Analyze the impact of Islamic civilization on the European Renaissance. Which Islamic contributions were most significant?

• Islamic civilization had little to no influence on the Renaissance, as European scholars rejected non-Christian sources.
• Islamic military strategies and conquests were the primary influences on the Renaissance.
• The preservation and translation of Greek and Roman texts, along with advancements in science and mathematics, were crucial to the intellectual revival in Europe.
• The spread of Islam in Europe directly caused the Renaissance by replacing Christianity as the dominant religion.

Consider the effects of the Bubonic Plague on the decline of feudalism in Europe. How did this event alter the social and economic structures of the time?

• The massive population decline led to labor shortages, which increased the bargaining power of peasants and contributed to the rise of a more market-based economy.
• The Bubonic Plague strengthened the feudal system by reducing the number of serfs, making those who survived more dependent on the nobility.
• The Bubonic Plague had little effect on the social structure, as feudalism continued to dominate Europe for centuries afterward.
• The Bubonic Plague led to the immediate collapse of feudalism and the rise of democratic governments throughout Europe.

Discuss how the Protestant Reformation challenged the power of the Roman Catholic Church and reshaped the religious landscape of Europe.

• The Reformation strengthened the Roman Catholic Church by eliminating corrupt practices and increasing the Church’s influence.
• The Reformation had little impact on Europe, as most people remained loyal to the Roman Catholic Church.
• The Reformation ended all religious conflicts in Europe by creating a unified Protestant Church.
• The Reformation led to the fragmentation of Christianity in Europe, creating multiple Protestant denominations and reducing the authority of the Pope.

How did Timbuktu’s role as a center of trade and learning during the height of the African empires influence cultural exchange between Africa and other regions?

• Timbuktu’s isolation prevented significant cultural exchanges, limiting its impact on the broader world.
• Timbuktu’s trade networks facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas, leading to the spread of Islam and African culture across the Sahara and into Europe.
• Timbuktu was primarily a military outpost with little cultural or educational significance.
• Timbuktu’s influence was confined to West Africa, with no significant cultural exchange beyond the region.

How did the trans-Saharan trade networks contribute to the spread of Islam in Africa?

• The trans-Saharan trade networks had little influence on the religious practices in Africa, as they focused solely on economic exchanges.
• Islam was forced upon African populations through conquest rather than trade.
• The spread of Islam in Africa was primarily the result of missionaries, not trade networks.
• Muslim merchants and traders brought Islamic teachings and practices to West Africa, where they were adopted by local rulers and spread throughout the region.

Assess the long-term effects of the Columbian Exchange on the global economy and environment. What were some of the most significant changes?

• The Columbian Exchange had a limited impact, as most regions continued to rely on traditional crops and animals.
• The introduction of new crops and animals transformed diets and agricultural practices around the world, while the exchange also led to significant environmental changes, such as deforestation and the spread of invasive species.
• The Columbian Exchange primarily benefited European economies while having little effect on other parts of the world.
• The Columbian Exchange led to the decline of global trade and the isolation of regions from one another.