Name ANSWER KEY
Midterm Date: FRIDAY, 12/18/15
7th Grade Social Studies Midterm
Chapter 12 – The Islamic World – pages 354- 371
1.
What two ways of life were common in Arabia? Nomad and Sedentary. Nomads travel from place to place. Sedentary stay put
in one place.
2.
Looking at the page on 355, why do geographers call the Arabia a “crossroads” location? Trade routes linking Africa, Asia and
Europe run through it.
3.
Why did Muhammad not tell people right away about his visions? People did not like being told what to do and he was afraid
people would not accept his visions because they were different.
4.
What is the most important difference between Muhammad’s teachings and beliefs of other Arabs? Muhammad taught that
there was only one god.
5.
What is the Qur’an and how is it similar to holy books of other religions? The Qur'an is similar to other holy books of religions
because they both describe guidelines for moral behavior.
6.
What is a key Islamic belief about God? Allah is the only God and Muhammad is the prophet.
7.
What is the Sunnah? The Sunnah is Muhammad's example for the duties and way of life expected of Muslims.
8.
What are the 5 Pillars of Islam? They are acts of worship required of all Muslims.
9.
What is Islamic law called? What is Islamic law based upon? Islamic Law is called Shariah and is based upon the Qur'an and the
Sunnah, which are important guides for how Muslims should live. The purpose of Islamic law is to limit authority and set
rewards and punishments for behavior.
10. Define the term caliph: title given to Islam's highest leaders.
11. How did trade affect the spread of Islam? As Arab merchants traveled, they shared their Muslim faith with the people they
met.
12. What role did armies play in spread Islam? As Muslim armies conquered new lands, Islam slowly spread into the conquered
regions.
13. How did Muslims show tolerance? accepting other people's religious beliefs
14. Who were the Janissaries? slave soldiers in the Ottoman army.
15. What is a similarity between the Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal Empire when trying to expand their territory? They tried to
expand their territory through warfare.
16. What is calligraphy? decorative writing that combines art and religion.
1
17. Both the Qur’an and the Sunnah guide Muslims’ behavior. Apart from discussing different topics, how do these two differ?
The Qur'an and Sunnah are different by the Qur'an is according to Islam the word of God, God's messages to Muhammad. The
Sunnah is the record of Muhammads actions.
18. In your opinion, was conquest or trade more important when spreading Islam? Why? (Sample answer)
- Trade was more effective in spreading Islam because along with goods, Arab merchants took Islamic beliefs to India, Africa, and
Southeast Asia. Trade also brought new products to Muslim lands. For example, Arabs learned from the Chinese how to make paper
and use gunpowder.
- Conquest was more important in spreading Islam because Muslim armies conquered new lands and Islam slowly started to spread
in these conquered regions.
Chapter 13 – Early African Civilizations– pages 380- 399
1.
What major river flowed along West Africa? The Niger River
2.
List the West African regions in order from most rainfall to least? Rainforest > Savannah> Sahel> Sahara
3.
What are 2 traditional West African crops? Kola Nuts and Dates
4.
How did religion in West Africa reflect importance of family? The spirits of ancestors stayed nearby.
5.
How did farming in Africa improve around 500 BC? People learned how to make iron tools.
6.
How did the use of iron change farming? Clearing the land and as weapons.
7.
People in South Africa traded their gold for SALT from the North.
8.
Why was silent barter trade useful? Silent barter ensured that trading was peaceful and that locations were kept secret.
9.
How did Sundiata gain more power in Mali? He took power away from local chiefs and leaders
10. How did Ghana’s kings govern such a large empire? They delegated power to governors, who then answer only to one king.
They taxed any imports/exports.
11. Who were the Almoravids? Muslims who attacked Ghana and cut off trade routes
12. Who were the mansas? Local leaders who held both political and religious roles
13. How did Mansa Musa spread Islam and education throughout Mali? He hired artists and architects to build mosques in Mali,
he sent scholars to study in Morocco and then to set up schools in Mali
14. What were 2 important governmental concepts of Askia the Great? Permanent professional army and specialized government
offices
15. Who were griots? African storytellers who memorize and recite the names and histories of their people
2
16. Why were griots and their stories important in West African society? Griots are important to West African society because
they do not have a written language and the only way for their history to be passed down was through oral history from the
griots.
17. What were 3 reasons why Ghana declined in the AD 1000s?
Ghana declined in the AD 1000s from invasion from the Almoravids, a group of Muslims from the North. This group of people
brought herds of animals with them which over grazed the lands. The third factor was internal rebellion, a group of people from
Ghana rebelled and took over the entire empire of Ghana.
18. What do you think was Askia’s greatest accomplishment? (various answers) Askia the Great greatest accomplishment was his
involvement in education. Askia supported education and learning. Under his rule he built universities, schools, libraries, and
mosques. He increased learning throughout the entire Songhai Empire.
Chapter 14 – China – pages 410- 431
1.
Place the Chinese dynasties in the order in which they ruled: Sui, Tang, Song
2.
What was an important achievement of Yang Chien’s Sui dynasty? This dynasty reunified China, ending the Period of Disunion.
3.
Why did so many people turn to Buddhism in the Period of Disunion? People turned to Buddhism in the Period of Disunion
because they took comfort in the Buddhist teaching that people can escape suffering.
4.
What did the dragon backbone pump do? The dragon backbone pump allowed one man to scoop water from one place and
dump it into an irrigation canal.
5.
How did agricultural advances affect population growth? Agricultural advances, such as fast-ripening rice and the cultivation of
more land, made food plentiful.
6.
How did the Grand Canal play a role in trade? to transport rice and other foods from agricultural areas to the cities.
7.
Why did the Chinese keep the silk-making process secret? Only Chinese knew how to make silk, giving them control of the
trade.
8.
What two principles did Confucius believe people should follow? Confucius taught that people should follow two basic
principles in their lives, these two principles
9.
How are Confucianism and Buddhism differ? Confucianism stresses ethical behavior and Buddhism stresses a spiritual outlook
that promises escape from suffering.
10. What did the song dynasty adopt as its official policy? Neo-Confucianism
11. How did Neo-Confucianism differ from Confucianism? Neo-Confucianism included a concern with spiritual matters.
3
12. Define the term bureaucracy: body of unelected government officials.
13. Define the term civil service: service as a government official.
14. What effect did having a bureaucracy of scholar officials have on the Song-dynasty? They improved the system by creating
stability and an efficient government.
15. How did the Mongols gain control of China? Through bloody attacks on their conquest, raiding villages/cities and killing
majority of people they came in contact along the way.
16. Define isolationism: a policy of avoiding contact with other countries.
17. How might Chinese culture have been different in the Tang and Song dynasties if Buddhism had not been introduced to
China? Buddhism would not have become a major religion in China, and missionaries would not have spread Buddhism to other
Asian lands. Also, much of the art and architecture might not exist because Buddhism inspired so much of it.
18. How did isolationism affect China?
19. Why do you think the civil service examination system was created? To ensure that only the most qualified officials ran the
government and to improve government efficiency.
20. Which Chinese invention had a greater effect on world history- the magnetic compass or gunpowder? Why do you think so?
(possible answer) The compass because it helped sailors find their way and explore new lands. Gunpowder because it changed
warfare forever.
Chapter 15 – Japan – pages 440- 459
1.
What is Japan’s geography like? Japan's geography had mountainous slopes that are difficult to live on and farm.
2.
How were the Ainu different from other people of Japan? The Ainu people spoke a different language, dressed and look
differently.
3.
What did the Yamato rulers govern before they called themselves emperors of Japan? a clan
4.
What religion did Prince Shotoku help spread? Buddhism
5.
How did Pure Land Buddhism differ from traditional Buddhism? Pure Land Buddhists chant Buddha's name
6.
How was the Buddhism of the Japanese nobles different from the Buddhism of the common people? Elaborate rituals were
practiced by nobles but not by common people.
7.
What did Zen Buddhist believe in? Zen Buddhist believed in self-discipline, wisdom can be found in quiet thinking and regular
meditation.
8.
What was the main duty of a Samurai Warrior? Defend his daimyo and his daimyo's property.
9.
Who was the most powerful person in Japanese samurai society? Emperor
4
10. Place the people in samurai society in order from most power to least power: Shogun, daimyo, samurai, peasant
11. How did Samurai warriors improve their discipline? Samurai warriors improved their discipline with flower arranging, tea
ceremonies and Zen Buddhist meditation.
12. How does a Samurai loose his/her honor? Losing a fight, disobeying an order, or failing to protect his lord were all ways in
which a Samurai looses his/her honor.
13. Why did Japanese nobles put aside their differences and unite in 1274? To fight a common enemy, the invading Mongols.
14. What did the 2 Mongol attacks on Japan have in common? The Japanese were aided by the weather in both attacks.
15. What happened after the royal court became a center for art and culture? Shoguns took control of Japan, creating a military
society.
16. Why did the Samurai period end in Japan? The Samurai period ended in Japan because the Japan was isolated from the rest o
the world, Japan's rulers limited technology and Japan's rulers banned guns.
17. How did Japan’s physical geography affect the development of Japanese government and a society?
18. Would you like to have been a member of the imperial court at Heian? Why or Why not? Sample answer- I would like to to be
a member of the imperial court at Heian because they have a lifestyle of ease, privilege, beauty and artistic culture.
19. How did Japan change in the Tokugawa shogunate? Japan began to trade with other countries and let European missionaries
live in Japan.
5