Topic Test: The Early Americas and European Exploration
Name ___________________________________ Date
Read each question carefully. Determine the best answer to the question from the four answer
choices provided.
1
Look at the table.
Based on the table and what you know of the Columbian Exchange, which statement BEST explains
why people in West Africa eat manioc?
A
B
C
D
2
In what way might Spain’s decision to claim land in North America be considered controversial?
A
B
C
D
3
Europeans introduced manioc to Africa after encountering it in America.
Early American Indians established trade routes with West Africans.
Manioc is native to West Africa and a traditional part of local diets.
Early American Indians brought manioc with them on voyages to Africa.
Spanish explorers promised to free the slaves of North America.
Spanish explorers failed to convert native people to Christianity.
Spanish explorers seized territory already inhabited by American Indians.
Spanish explorers laid claim to land that was already controlled by Portugal.
Read the excerpt from the text.
“The Southwest is a hot and dry region consisting of deserts, the southern Rocky Mountains, and
the Colorado Plateau. People could survive only if they found water.
The Pueblo people used irrigation methods such as building dams and tanks to store water. They
were able to grow corn and cotton on small farms. However, it wasn’t all work in the desert. The
Hohokams played games on ballcourts and made beautiful art with acid-etchings on shells.”
Which phrase provides the BEST example of how the Pueblo people modified the environment in
which they lived?
A
B
C
D
“played games on ballcourts”
“made beautiful art with acid-etchings on shells”
“could survive only if they found water”
“building dams and tanks”
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1
Topic Test: The Early Americas and European Exploration
4
Look at the map.
To which region did Islam first spread after it emerged in Arabia during the 600s?
A
B
C
D
5
The rebirth of artistic and technological innovation in Europe, known as the Renaissance, was
prompted by
A
B
C
D
6
1
2
3
4
the growing number of immigrants from the Middle East.
the increase in travel by Europeans and their trade expansion.
the decrease in Christian converts throughout North Africa.
the desire to compete with Chinese intellectual and cultural advancements.
Which of the following statements BEST describes the importance of the voyage around the world
led by Magellan?
A
B
C
D
The voyage proved that there was a westward all-water route to Asia.
The voyage proved that sailing west to reach Asia was a shorter and less dangerous route
than traveling east.
The voyage proved the theory that the world was round.
The voyage proved that circumnavigating the globe was nearly impossible with current
navigation tools.
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2
Topic Test: The Early Americas and European Exploration
7
How do scholars know that the Vikings had traveled to North America prior to Columbus’s voyage?
A
B
C
D
8
Scholars have located ancient Viking maps of North America’s northeast coast.
The Vikings left written records and archaeological evidence.
The Inuit have passed down oral histories about their battles with the Vikings.
Archaeologists have found the ruins of Viking ships along the west coast.
Look at the photo.
What effect of the Columbian Exchange does this image illustrate?
A
B
C
D
9
The population boom of domesticated animals that escaped into the wild.
The conversion of the physical environment from grasslands to pasture.
The introduction of milk cows to the American Indians of the Midwest.
The destruction of the natural landscape due to grazing cattle.
Read the excerpt.
“While some remained faithful to Christianity, Judaism, and other religions, many people in
conquered lands chose to convert to the new religion. Others were converted by force, or under the
threat of crippling taxes. Elsewhere, Muslim merchants carried the new faith to people living along
the trade routes of Asia and Africa. Islam united Muslims from many lands and fostered the growth
of trade. Muslims had a basic duty to make a pilgrimage, or journey, to the holy city of Mecca at least
once in their lives. Every year, people from across the Muslim world traveled to Mecca. Muslims from
North Africa, Persia, Afghanistan, India, Spain, and West Africa crowded Mecca’s dusty streets.
They prayed in Arabic, the language of Islam. This regular travel encouraged trade among the
Muslim lands.”
Based on this excerpt from the text, how did Islam affect trade in the Middle East?
A
B
C
D
It expanded trade by spreading the Arabic language and opening up routes from many
countries to Mecca.
It minimized trade as merchants focused on Islamic missionary work.
It increased trade by threatening the influence of Christianity in the region.
It restricted trade by encouraging Muslims to reject the need for material possessions.
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3
Topic Test: The Early Americas and European Exploration
10 How do you think American Indians viewed European exploration?
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4