Mesoamerican Civilizations and Their Achievements

Which civilization was primarily located in the Yucatan Peninsula?

• Inca

• Aztec

• Maya

• Olmec

Which of the following civilizations used a system of knotted cords called quipu to record information?

• Maya

• Aztec

• Olmec

• Inca

Which ancient Mesoamerican civilization flourished between 1500 BC and 400 AD, preceding the Maya, Aztec, and Inca empires?

• Maya

• Aztec

• Olmec

• Teotihuacan

What agricultural technique did the Maya primarily use in the challenging environment of the Yucatan Peninsula?

• Terrace farming

• Irrigation canals

• Slash-and-burn

• Crop rotation

What was a primary reason for the abandonment of Maya cities in the Southern Yucatan Peninsula?

• A series of volcanic eruptions

• A lack of consistent water sources and overpopulation

• Invasions from neighboring empires

• A shift in religious beliefs that favored nomadic lifestyles

Which of the following best describes the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan?

• A sprawling desert city known for its vast trade routes across land.

• A fortified mountain stronghold, difficult for invaders to reach.

• An island city built with canals and large temples, comparable in size to major European cities of its time.

• A collection of small, independent villages scattered along a river.

Despite not having a writing system or wheels, what were some impressive achievements of the Inca civilization?

• Developing advanced navigation techniques for ocean travel and creating a complex written language.

• Building extensive road networks and inventing gunpowder.

• Mastering terrace farming, constructing suspension bridges, and performing successful brain surgery.

• Establishing a vast empire through peaceful trade and developing a system of currency.

What factors significantly contributed to the rapid downfall of the Aztec and Inca Empires during the Spanish conquest?

• Internal rebellions, the spread of smallpox, and superior Spanish weaponry.

• Severe droughts, widespread famine, and a lack of military training.

• Volcanic eruptions, devastating earthquakes, and a decline in religious faith.

• Peaceful assimilation into the Spanish empire and voluntary surrender.