Grade 9 - World History and Geography to 1500 A.D SOL Practice Test — Set 2 of 2
Set 2 of 2 — 48 more free Grade 9 - World History and Geography to 1500 A.D SOL practice questions from official VDOE released tests.
1. Which factor had the greatest effect on the movements of early nomadic societies?
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Answer: C — Survival needs
2. The defining characteristic of polytheistic religions is the idea that —
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Answer: D — there are many gods and goddesses in existence
3. Standards of Religious Conduct A diagram showed a set of religious laws or moral rules that guide behavior. Which of these best completes the diagram?
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Answer: D — Ten Commandments
4. The Indus River System The Indus River flows from the Himalayas through northwestern South Asia into the Arabian Sea. Which empire is associated with this river system?
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Answer: A — Gupta Empire
5. The Vedas and the Upanishads are sacred writings of —
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Answer: A — Hinduism
6. According to the Mandate of Heaven, a Chinese emperor could remain in power as long as he —
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Answer: C — governed as a just ruler
7. “You only lose what you cling to.” — Siddhartha Gautama This quotation best represents the religious views of —
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Answer: C — Buddhists
8. Living in harmony with nature is an important part of Chinese culture primarily because of —
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Answer: B — Taoism
9. Achilles’ heel = a weak spot Odyssey = an adventurous journey Titanic = something large and strong Trojan horse = a device used to gain access by stealth Which statement describes the origin of these terms?
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Answer: C — They are taken from Greek mythology.
10. “ W e are called a democracy, for the administration is in the hands of the many and not of the few.” This quotation is from —
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Answer: A — Pericles
11. Which god kept the same name when adopted from Greek mythology by the Romans?
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Answer: D — Apollo
12. Ancient Roman Engineering Structure The structure shown was a long stone construction with repeating arches used to move water from distant sources into cities. What was the purpose of this structure?
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Answer: B — To carry water
13. Emperor Constantine influenced the traditions of Western civilization by —
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Answer: B — legalizing Christianity within the Roman Empire
14. Which city was an obstacle to early Rome’s control of the Mediterranean region?
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Answer: B — Carthage
15. How did Rome’s military conquests affect the economic and social structures of the Roman Republic?
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Answer: A — Slavery became important to Rome’s agricultural production.
16. Belief in monotheism Jesus as Son and incarnation of God These statements describe characteristics of the early —
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Answer: D — Christians
17. Written Language Diffusion A diagram showed written language spreading from its earliest origins in Mesopotamia to other regions through cultural contact and exchange during the postclassical period. Which group was most responsible for spreading this cultural characteristic?
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Answer: B — Islamic traders
18. Which characteristic describes the early Catholic Church?
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Answer: C — Headed by the Pope
19. Which art form is most associated with the Byzantine culture?
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Answer: B — Mosaics
20. Which institution in Western Europe had the most power during the Middle Ages?
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Answer: A — The Church
21. The cause of the split in Islam after Muhammad’s death was a difference of opinion concerning —
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Answer: B — leaders
22. Which characteristic describes the earliest followers of Islam?
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Answer: C — Lived on the Arabian Peninsula
23. St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow This church features large domes, rich decoration, and religious symbolism rooted in Eastern Christianity. Which civilization most influenced its architecture?
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Answer: C — Byzantine
24. Whose codification of Roman law has strongly influenced European laws of today?
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Answer: D — Justinian
25. Which belief is associated with Shintoism?
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Answer: D — People must respect nature spirits.
26. Which event helped to spread Islam in Africa?
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Answer: A — Establishment of trade with Timbuktu
27. The empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai benefited from being near the —
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Answer: D — Trans-Saharan trade routes
28. Declining population in Asia Declining population in Europe Disruption of trade routes This sequence of events was caused by the —
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Answer: D — Bubonic Plague
29. Which city served as the capital of three empires at different times and under different names?
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Answer: C — Constantinople
30. Advanced American Civilizations A diagram listed these characteristics: Kept records using knotted strings Practiced terraced farming Performed advanced medical procedures, including brain surgery Which civilization best completes this diagram?
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Answer: A — Incan
31. The Mayan and Aztec civilizations advanced the development of —
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Answer: A — calendars
32. “The Chaldeans Saladin and his army fought the battle fiercely for a few days and triumphed… scarcely twenty or thirty men appeared to defend the city walls.” — 1187 This quotation describes the —
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Answer: D — collapse of Western control of Jerusalem
33. During the Middle Ages, many Greek and Roman classics were preserved because they had been translated into —
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Answer: C — Arabic
34. Major Classical Authors A diagram showed Greek and Roman authors such as Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero being studied during the Renaissance. These authors were most often studied by —
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Answer: B — humanists
35. The movable-type printing press helped the Renaissance by —
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Answer: D — expanding the distribution of new ideas
36. Which statement best explains the migration of early humans?
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Answer: C — People searched for new sources of food.
37. Emperor Constantine chose the location for a new capital partly for its distance from —
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Answer: C — Germanic invaders
38. The lack of arable land in Greece contributed to an economic system based on —
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Answer: B — shipping and trade
39. Italian Peninsula A map showed the Italian Peninsula with numbered locations. Roman civilization first developed on the west-central portion of the peninsula along the Tiber River, near the future city of Rome. Which number shows this location?
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Answer: B — 2
40. Which primary factor encouraged Greek city-states to develop different identities?
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Answer: D — Geography
41. Many Incan cities were easily defended because they were built —
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Answer: D — on mountaintops
42. Which regions were connected by the Silk Roads?
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Answer: A — East Asia and the Mediterranean basin
43. Which phrase best describes the geographic location of the Mayan civilization?
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Answer: A — Rainforests in Central America
44. The early river valley civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia developed governments that were ruled by —
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Answer: A — religious authorities
45. “Steered west and sailed, day and night… the pilots took the sun’s direction, and found that the needles varied to the northwest.” — Journal of Christopher Columbus, 1492 According to this quotation, Christopher Columbus relied on technology that originated in —
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Answer: A — China
46. One characteristic of the Pax Romana was widespread —
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Answer: B — economic prosperity
47. Social Structure in the Roman Republic A diagram showed a social hierarchy with elites at the top and common citizens below. Which choice belongs in this diagram?
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Answer: A — Patricians in section 1
48. Ancient Athens was responsible for developing which concept in government?
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Answer: C — Direct democracy
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.