Why is a stable food supply (agricultural surplus) necessary for the development of civilization?

A. Only cities with abundant food supplies have large populations, a variety of talents, and the skilled workers necessary for the development of new ideas and technologies.
Correct! A stable food supply allows a civilization the free time to organize and create.

B. Extra food must be produced for use by specialized workers, such as government officials and priests, to use as temple offerings.
Incorrect. Not all government officials and priests made such demands.

C. A surplus of food must be produced in order to free government workers from having to grow their own food.
Incorrect. Growing food was the most important job in early civilizations.

D. Additional food had to be produced to feed the armies that protected the government.
Incorrect. While this might be true in some cases, it was not always true.

The Phoenicians are often referred to as the “carriers of civilization” because they –

A. introduced Islam and Christianity to Central Africa
Incorrect. Islam didn’t even exist when the Phoenicians were sailing the Mediterranean Sea.

B. established colonies throughout northern Europe
Incorrect. The Phoenicians established colonies around the Mediterranean Sea.

C. developed the first carts with wheels
Incorrect. The Mesopotamians developed the first carts with wheels.

Why did Egyptians look forward to the annual flooding of the Nile River?

A. Egyptians could travel faster on the flooded waters.
Incorrect. Travel would be next to impossible during a flood.

B. Flooding encouraged other groups to use the Nile as a trade route.
Incorrect. Flooding discouraged the use of the river for transportation.

C. The flood made farmland more fertile by depositing a rich layer of soil.
Correct! The Egyptians could rely on the annual flooding of the Nile River to ensure the success of their grain and papyrus crops.

D. The floods allowed the Egyptians to test the strength of their dams and canals.
Incorrect. Often, the floods broke through their dams and canals, but the fertile soil was worth it!

How did ancient Egyptians view their kings?

A. As gods and rulers
Correct! They believed their kings were god on earth.

B. As cruel rulers
Incorrect. Egyptians did not believe their rulers were cruel or vindictive.

C. As father figures
Incorrect. They thought their rulers were gods.

D. As equals
Incorrect. No way would Egyptians be equal with their gods. They believed their rulers were also gods.

What philosophy believes in no individual rights, the strict rule of law, and harsh punishments for those that violate it?

A. Confucianism
Incorrect. Confucianism actually shares many traits with legalism, especially in the primacy of the state over the individual. However, Confucianism advocates a more hierarchical society and is not as brutal.

B. Legalism
Correct! Legalism became the governing philosophy of the Qin Dynasty. Its influence endures in China through the present day.

C. Liberalism
Incorrect. Liberalism, in many ways, is the complete opposite of legalism. Liberalism places high value on civil rights and civil liberties.

D. Tianming
Incorrect. Tianming is the Chinese word for “mandate of heaven.” Beginning with the first dynasty of China, the Zhou, most rulers claimed legitimacy through divine approval. The mandate, though, could be revoked if the rulers were unjust.