Grade 9 - World History and Geography to 1500 A.D SOL Practice Test — Set 1 of 2
98 free Grade 9 - World History and Geography to 1500 A.D Virginia SOL practice questions drawn from official Virginia Department of Education released tests. Pick an answer to check it instantly, or open “Show answer” to review. No signup required.
1. When studying prehistoric people, cave drawings depicting hunting scenes, animals, and human figures allow archaeologists to —
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Answer: A — speculate about daily lives
2. The ancient Hebrews were among the first to develop a religious tradition that included —
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Answer: J — monotheism
3. What was the major change caused by the agricultural revolution?
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Answer: C — Development of permanent settlements
4. Which type of government was used in the Persian Empire?
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Answer: H — Imperial bureaucracy
5. Which text is a central document of Judaism?
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Answer: C — Torah
6. A social hierarchy is described as follows: Brahmins: priests and scholars Kshatriyas: rulers and warriors Vaisyas: merchants and traders Sudras: peasants Untouchables: outside the caste system What does this hierarchy represent?
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Answer: J — Caste system of India
7. A writing system composed of pictorial symbols representing objects, ideas, or sounds, used in ancient Egypt, is known as —
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Answer: C — Egyptian hieroglyphics
8. Buddhists achieve enlightenment by following the —
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Answer: J — Eightfold Path
9. The Gupta Empire made a major contribution to world civilization by developing —
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Answer: A — the concept of zero
10. The following beliefs are listed: Live in harmony with nature Have a simple life Exercise humility in all things These beliefs are most closely associated with ancient —
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Answer: F — China
11. The ruling authority of China’s ancient dynasties was based on the —
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Answer: B — Mandate of Heaven
12. An event is described by the following characteristics: Warfare between alliances led by Athens and Sparta Lasted nearly 30 years Ended the Golden Age of Pericles Which event is described?
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Answer: G — The Peloponnesian War
13. “An Athenian citizen does not put private affairs before affairs of the state; even our merchants and businessmen know something about politics. We alone believe that a man who takes no interest in public affairs is more than harmless; he is useless.” — Pericles, Funeral Oration In this quotation, Pericles describes Athenian society as valuing —
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Answer: B — civic responsibility
14. Hippocrates made important contributions in the area of —
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Answer: J — medicine
15. Which characteristic is associated with both Roman and Greek cultures?
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Answer: C — Polytheistic religion
16. Constantine brought a significant change to the Roman Empire by —
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Answer: H — moving the capital
17. Which accomplishment is associated with Alexander the Great?
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Answer: A — The spread of Greek culture throughout the empire
18. The following events occurred during Roman history: 1. Formation of the First Triumvirate 2. Assassination of Julius Caesar 3. Defeat of Mark Antony 4. Augustus becomes emperor Which list places these events in the correct chronological order?
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Answer: H — 1, 2, 3, 4
19. After 300 A.D., Christianity divided into two major branches: Western Church: centered in Rome, used Latin, and recognized the authority of the pope Eastern Church: centered in Constantinople, used Greek, and recognized the authority of the patriarch Which statement correctly completes this comparison?
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Answer: J — Column 2—Used Greek language in liturgy
20. Which empire was best known for libraries that preserved ancient Greek and Roman knowledge?
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Answer: D — Byzantine
21. The Battle of Tours was significant because it marked the —
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Answer: F — end of Muslim expansion into Western Europe
22. The Dome of the Rock is an example of which civilization’s achievements in art and architecture?
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Answer: C — Islamic
23. The practice of Orthodox Christianity in Russia was primarily the result of contact with the —
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Answer: J — Byzantine Empire
24. Which factor strengthened both the Byzantine Empire and the empire of Charlemagne?
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Answer: F — Unity between politics and religion
25. Ali, the fourth caliph and successor of Muhammad, died. What was one impact of this event?
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Answer: B — A permanent split occurred within the religion.
26. One of the main accomplishments of Justinian was —
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Answer: H — reconquering territory that had once belonged to the Roman Empire
27. The Limpopo and Zambezi Rivers formed boundaries for the empire of —
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Answer: D — Zimbabwe
28. A Venn diagram compares religions practiced in China and Japan. The shaded overlap represents a religion influential in both regions. Which religion belongs in the overlap?
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Answer: J — Shintoism
29. The following characteristics describe Mesoamerican civilizations: 1. Produced potatoes as a main crop 2. Believed in only one deity 3. Located in rainforest 4. Constructed pyramids Which characteristic was shared by both the Aztec and Mayan civilizations?
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Answer: D — 4
30. The following events occurred in one European nation-state: Ferdinand and Isabella unified the nation Christopher Columbus’s exploration was financed The empire expanded in the Western Hemisphere These events occurred in —
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Answer: J — Spain
31. “You must apply the strength of your righteousness to another matter which concerns you as well as God… your brethren who live in the east are in urgent need of your help.” — Pope Urban II, 1095 This speech helped to start the —
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Answer: B — First Crusade
32. The first European universities were based on the scholarly contributions of —
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Answer: J — monasteries
33. The Magna Carta was important because it —
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Answer: B — limited the power of the king
34. Which movement had the greatest influence on the Renaissance?
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Answer: C — Humanism
35. An empire is described by these characteristics: Began as nomadic warriors Traveled long distances on horseback Conquered China Conquered Russia Which empire is described?
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Answer: J — Mongol Empire
36. The development of movable-type printing led directly to the rapid spread of ideas because of the —
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Answer: D — production of books
37. During the Paleolithic Era, how did most early humans acquire food?
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Answer: H — By following animal migrations
38. Early Hellenic culture spread from Greece to Asia Minor primarily as a result of —
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Answer: C — sea trade
39. A map shows territorial expansion over time labeled “to 632,” “to 656,” and “to 750.” What best completes the title of this map: “The Spread of —”?
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Answer: B — Islam
40. The Vikings who invaded Europe in the Middle Ages were from —
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Answer: J — Scandinavia
41. Which factor was most important about the site of Constantinople?
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Answer: B — Peninsula for easily constructed defenses
42. In the 14th and 15th centuries, most goods arrived in northern Europe from Constantinople after crossing the —
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Answer: F — Black Sea
43. Machu Picchu is located in which type of geographic region?
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Answer: C — Mountains
44. Which characteristic was most common in ancient river valley civilizations?
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Answer: F — Hereditary rule
45. The sequence below shows the development of government in one ancient civilization: Monarchy → Aristocracy → Tyranny → Democracy This sequence describes ancient —
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Answer: D — Athens
46. Prosperity during the Pax Romana resulted from: Completion of a vast road network Significant growth of trade Adoption of a single standard currency Which action best completes this explanation?
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Answer: G — Adoption of uniform currency
47. Which change was a result of the rise of the feudal system?
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Answer: B — Local lords had the most political power.
48. Economic foundations of the Renaissance included: Greater money supply Higher trade volume Which practice best supports this relationship?
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Answer: H — Letters of credit
49. In The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli explained why it is necessary for leaders to have —
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Answer: A — absolute power
50. The Roman Republic included the following political institutions: Assemblies Senate Consuls These institutions are examples of —
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Answer: F — representative government
Grade 9 - World History and Geography to 1500 A.D SOL practice test — FAQ
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Practice items adapted from Virginia Department of Education released SOL tests. Practice items are provided for study purposes and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Virginia Department of Education.