Name: _____________________________________
Class: ________
Date: __________
Social Studies Midterm
______ 1. This temple is evidence that
a. There were many English settlements in Central America
b. Some Native Americans had highly developed civilizations
c. Some Native Americans copied the architectural (building) styles
of Spain and Portugal
d. Ancient Chinese culture had a major influence on Native American
culture
______ 2. During the colonial period, which European nation controlled Mexico, Central America, and parts of
South America?
a. Spain
c. Netherlands
b. France
d. England
______ 3. The trip from Africa to the Americas was called the ____________. Slaves were crammed in small spaces
below deck.
a. Great Migration
c. Middle Passage
b. Northwest Passage
d. Immigration
______ 4. Which statement accurately describes the status of African Americans during the colonial Period?
a. They were all slaves
c. They had full legal and social equality in some colonies
b. They had few rights
d. They had the same jobs as other colonists
______ 5. Which is a primary source for evidence that Columbus sailed to find a new route to the Indies in 1492?
a. A painting showing Columbus landing in the New World
b. A letter from the current leader of Spain describing the voyage
c. A diary entry written by a crew member aboard Columbus' ship
d. A television show about the explorations of Columbus
______ 6. Imaginary lines that run from north to south are known as ________________.
a. Longitude
c. Equators
b. Latitude
d. Prime Meridians
______ 7. In the 1400’s, Europeans were able to begin exploring for new trade routes to Asia because
a. There was an increase in religious toleration in Europe
b. There were several new inventions made in navigation and ship building
c. Europe became one unified country
d. The Roman Catholic religion regained control of the holy land
______ 8. The Iroquois of the northeast lived in bark-covered longhouses. The Cheyenne of the Great Plains lived
in buffalo-hide tepees. What is the best explanation for this difference?
a. The Iroquois developed housing to fit their lifestyle but the Cheyenne did not.
b. Neither group had enough technology to build homes suited to their environments.
c. The Cheyenne were better hunters than the Iroquois and were able to get the necessary hides.
d. Both groups used the materials around them in the development of their housing.
______ 9. In what way were the Mayas, Aztecs, and Incas similar?
a. They created well-organized social and political structures.
b. They had no central government.
c. They practiced the same religion.
d. They spoke the same language.
______ 10. Anything having to do with the managing money is considered ____________.
a. Economic
c. Political
b. Social
d. Technological
______ 11. These Native Americans connected their empire with more then 10,000 miles of roads
a. Aztecs
b. Incas
c. Maya
______ 12. About 60,000 native Tainos were living on the island now called Puerto Rico when Columbus'
expedition first arrived. In less than 20 years, the native Taino population was about 2,000. Which
statement best explains the decrease in the native population?
a. Most of the Natives married the Spanish.
b. The Spanish moved the Natives to other locations.
c. The Natives were exposed to diseases brought by Europeans.
d. All of the Natives converted to the Spanish religion.
______ 13. Which geographic condition in the Southern colonies contributed to their decision to grow cotton and
tobacco?
a. heavily forested mountain ranges
c. great harbors and mineral resources
b. fertile soil and a long growing season
d. rocky soil and a short growing season
______ 14. What conclusion can be drawn from this map
a. As the number of colonists increased, the
colonies expanded.
b. Most colonists made a living by farming or
trading.
c. Both the French and the British had many
colonies in North America.
d. Britain, Holland, and Sweden all founded
colonies along the Pacific coast.
______ 15. One reason why groups of Native American Indians often developed different cultures was that each
group
a. had to follow written traditions
c. came to America from other parts of the world
b. wanted to be different from other groups
d. adapted to its environment in a different way
______ 16. The ________________ tells you the meaning of the colors or symbols on a map.
a. Title/Subject
c. Key
b. Compass Rose
d. Scale
______ 17. A sheltered area along the seacoast where ships can anchor is called a(n) __________.
a. Harbor
c. Bay
b. Canal
d. Gulf
______ 18. Which development let to the other three?
a. founding of the Jamestown colony
c. Europeans using both tobacco and potatoes
b. Columbus landing in Hispaniola
d. thousands of Native Americans died from new diseases
______ 19. Which development led to the other three?
a. Africans were brought to the Americas as slaves.
b. Native American Indian populations were destroyed by disease.
c. New types of foods were shared by Europeans and Americans.
d. European nations sent explorers to the Americas.
______ 20. Land surrounded on three sides by water is called
a. an isthmus
c. a peninsula
b. a strait
d. an island
______ 21. Which source of information is an example of a primary source?
a. dictionary
c. journal entry
b. encyclopedia
d. thesaurus
______ 22. Where were the Maya and Aztec empires located?
a. Southern Europe
c. Central America
b. Canada
d. South America
______ 23. Goods sent to markets outside the country are called ____________.
a. Imports
c. Exports
b. Immigrants
d. Mercantilism
______ 24. What was the main purpose of the Mayflower Compact?
a. to provide a new chance for debtors and criminals
b. to create a government that would benefit the colony
c. to establish freedom of religion in the colony
d. to agree to obey the king of England
______ 25. What was the major cause of death among Native American Indians after contact with Spanish explorers?
a. Starvation
c. Slavery
b. Relocation
d. Disease
Use the map to complete the following questions.
______ 26. Lumber, dried fish, and rum were mainly
products of the
a. Southern Colonies
b. Northwest Territory
c. New England Colonies
d. Middle Colonies
______ 27. The main reason for the variety of products in
the different regions of the country was the
differences in
a. family structure and education
b. geography and climate
c. political and social systems
d. national origins and cultures
______ 28. ________________ is the account of what has happened in the past including people, places and events.
a. History
c. Geography
b. Climate
d. Culture
______ 29. Early European explorers who came to the New World were looking for a northwest passage in order to
a. prove the world was round
b. improve trade with Native American Indians
c. explore the Great Lakes
d. find a shorter route to Asia
______ 30. The need for agricultural workers in the early southern colonies led to the
a. formation of labor unions
c. improvement in farming
b. decision to industrialize
d. use of enslaved persons from Africa
______ 31. The groups that historians believe may have come before Columbus include all of the following except for
the
a. Chinese
c. Vikings
b. Spanish
d. Africans
______ 32. This explorer conquered the Aztecs
a. Francisco Pizarro
c. Bartholomew Diaz
b. Hernando Cortes
d. Leif Ericsson
______ 33. Which quotation best explains England’s purpose in developing colonies in North America:
a. “England must have colonies so that all of the political rights of English citizens will be spread
throughout the world."
b. “Our colonies are valuable to us because we get so many fine manufactured goods from them."
c. “Colonies are important because they help spread the Roman Catholic faith throughout the world."
d. “Controlling trade with our colonies will help us increase our wealth, and our power."
Unit of Study
Question Number
Geography Questions
6
13
Native Americans Questions
1
8
Exploration Questions
7
12
Colonies Questions
2
3
General History Questions
5
10
16
9
17
20
11
15
18
22
19
4
25
14
21
Number
wrong
23
29
24
31
26
32
27
30
33
28
Directions: When the test has been graded, please circle the number of the questions you got wrong.