Exploring Vocabulary in History and Geography

What is the definition of an archaeologist?

• A person who studies the Earth's physical features and how humans interact with them

• A person who studies human history by examining artifacts and other physical remains

• A person who studies and writes about the past using written records

• A person who asks questions to gain information

If you wanted to learn about how ancient people lived by studying their tools and pottery, which profession would you most likely choose?

• Historian

• Geographer

• Archaeologist

• Ritualist

What is the definition of an artifact?

• An object made or used by humans, typically of historical interest

• A ceremony or set of actions performed for a specific purpose

• A person who studies the Earth's physical features

• A period before written records

Which of the following is an example of an artifact?

• A map showing mountain ranges

• A clay pot made by ancient people

• A written diary from the 1800s

• A modern textbook

Who is a geographer?

• A person who studies and writes about the past using written records

• A person who studies the Earth's physical features and how humans interact with them

• A person who studies human history by examining artifacts

• A person who asks questions to gain information

A scientist is studying how rivers affect where people build cities. What is this scientist's job title?

• Historian

• Geographer

• Archaeologist

• Ritualist

What does a historian do?

• Studies the Earth's physical features

• Studies and writes about the past using written records

• Studies human history by examining artifacts

• Performs ceremonies for a specific purpose

A historian finds a written record describing a yearly festival. What can the historian infer about the society from this information?

• The society had no traditions

• The society valued rituals and celebrations

• The society was prehistoric

• The society did not keep records

What is inquiry?

• A period before written records

• A ceremony or set of actions performed for a specific purpose

• The act of asking questions to gain information

• An object made or used by humans

Which of the following situations best demonstrates the use of inquiry?

• Writing a story about the past

• Asking questions to find out why ancient people built pyramids

• Drawing a map of ancient Egypt

• Making a clay pot