UPDATED CSET : Social Science - Subtest 1 SOLUTIONS 100% REVISED 2023//2024

Efforts of archeologists to advance the understanding of prehistory are mainly based on what assumption about ancient people and cultures? - ANSWER Material remains reflect important aspects of human behavior. What was the main function of monumental architecture in early Mesopotamia and ancient costal Peru? - ANSWER To provide a site for the performance of religious rituals. What was the main source of wealth and power among the empires of West Africa between A.D. 400 and 1500? - ANSWER The Trans-Saharan salt and gold trade. What was the most frequent source of conflict between church and state in Europe throughout the middle ages? - ANSWER The Doctrine of Papal Supremacy which gave the pope unassailable authority over matters of church doctrine which transferred to secular claims. Popes felt spiritual power trumped temporal authority. What breakthrough of the Scientific Revolution of the 16th century presented major challenges to traditional religious conceptions in Europe? - ANSWER The discovery that the Earth and other planets revolved around the sun. Latin American revolutionaries of the early 19th century drew intellectual inspiration from? - ANSWER Political ideas of the Enlightenment. What was an important consequence of Western European industrialization during the first half of the 20th century? - ANSWER Created a division for families between home life and work life. What played a major role in the spread communism and facism in Europe between WWI and WWII? - ANSWER The economic devastation caused by the Great Depression. What had the greatest influence on the outcome of WWII on Europe? - ANSWER The productive capacity of US factories. What influenced nation-building efforts on the Indian subcontinent (region in Asia) during the decade after the establishment of Indian independence in 1947? - ANSWER Religious differences between Hindus and Muslims. What influenced the emergence of the global economy during the final quarter of the 12th century? - ANSWER The advancements of information technology such as the development of the computer, reducing the effect of distance and time of international transactions. How did urbanization in 20th century Latin America differ most from the earlier experience of Western Europe? - ANSWER Demographic growth preceded economic development in many Latin America cities. What are the characteristics of a steppe climate region? - ANSWER Moderate summers and periodic winter cold waves. What was the outcome of the Punic Wars for Rome? - ANSWER They gained control of the trade and commerce in the Mediterranean. What were the Punic Wars? - ANSWER A series of three wars between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian (Punic) empire, resulting in the destruction of Carthage, the enslavement of its population, and Roman hegemony over the western Mediterranean. In what ways are Judaism and Christianity similar? - ANSWER They were compassionate and charitable toward the poor and unfortunate. They both were monotheistic (believing in one God). Both were persecuted but remained faithful to their religion. What was the major effect of the Enlightenment on the understanding of the role of man in society? - ANSWER God no longer was the omnipotent creator, rather humans were in charge of their destiny. What was the Enlightenment? - ANSWER A philosophical movement that dominated in Europe during the 18th century, was centered around the idea that reason is the primary source of authority and legitimacy, and advocated such ideals as liberty, progress, tolerance, fraternity, constitutional government, and separation of church and state. How did colonialism affect European economies? - ANSWER It provided the resources necessary to compete against Asian economies. What was the most important factor determining the choice of place for early human settlement? - ANSWER River systems that can be used for irrigation. What is the earliest form of religion observed in the pre-historic human societies? - ANSWER Ancestral worship. Early human tribal communities lived mostly in forested areas - why? - ANSWER Food resources were more abundant. The major political institution of the Olmec culture was? - ANSWER The autonomous chiefdoms. What are autonomous chiefdoms? - ANSWER An autonomous political unit comprising a number of villages or communities under the permanent control of a paramount chief. According to Confucianism, a superior man does what? - ANSWER He respects his elders, reveres the past, and adheres to the 5 cardinal relationships. What are the 5 cardinal relationships in Confucianism? - ANSWER Ruler to ruled, father to son, husband to wife, elder brother to younger brother, friend to friend. Why was the Persian Empire the first "world empire"? - ANSWER They integrated each of it satraps into the imperial bureaucracy in order to ensure long term production and payment of tribute. What are satraps? - ANSWER A provincial governor in the ancient Persian empire. Who was qualified to run for office in Ancient democracy? - ANSWER A male citizen. In Confucianism, the major qualification for serving in a public office is what? - ANSWER Proving political merit. What were the causes of the fail of the Roman Empire? - ANSWER They were invaded by various barbarian peoples, they lacked tax revenue weakening their military, deteriorating their transportation and trade routes. On top of which, they had power struggles over succession. How was the political crisis following the death of the prophet Muhammad resolved? - ANSWER His friend Abu Bakr was elected as caliph.