Qin Dynasty
Who was the first emperor who united China and started the Qin Dynasty?
Qin Shi Huang (Ying Zheng)
Who founded the Han Dynasty and became Emperor Gaozu?
Liu Bang (Emperor Gaozu)
What word describes the independent Greek city-states like Athens and Sparta?
City-states (poleis)
According to legend, who founded Rome (name one of the twin brothers)?
Romulus (or Remus)
What two conditions often help create a "Golden Age" in a civilization? (name two)
Peace/stability and economic prosperity (also: strong government and security)
Name one major standardization the Qin Dynasty implemented across the empire (choose one: writing, currency, weights and measures, or laws).
Any one: standardized writing, currency, weights/measures, laws
The Han softened Qin policies and kept many administrative systems. Name one major achievement of the Han Dynasty (examples: invention of paper, Silk Road trade, civil service exams).
Examples: invention of paper (105 CE), Silk Road trade network, civil service examination system
Name one type of government used in ancient Greek city-states (examples: democracy, oligarchy, monarchy, tyranny).
Examples: democracy, oligarchy, monarchy, tyranny
What form of government did Rome have before becoming an empire, where leaders like consuls and the Senate held power?
Republic
Give one cultural achievement that might appear during a Golden Age (example answers: literature, art, science, architecture).
Example: flourishing literature, scientific discoveries, architectural monuments, or advances in philosophy
What massive construction project (early version) did the Qin oversee to protect northern borders?
Early Great Wall of China
List one social class in Han society and say whether it was generally respected or less respected.
Scholars/officials (highest) — respected; Farmers — respected; Artisans/craftsmen — middle; Merchants — lowest social status
Who was the Athenian leader associated with the Golden Age of Athens and democracy?
Pericles 300 alternative — (accept other leaders tied to democracy like Solon for lawgiving)
Name one major engineering achievement of Rome that helped cities get water.
Aqueducts
Compare one similarity shared by two of these civilizations (Qin/Han/Greece/Rome) in government or technology (one or two sentences).
Examples: Both Han and Rome developed strong bureaucracies and road networks; Qin and Rome used legal codes and standardized systems (one clear comparison suffices)
What famous archaeological find includes over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers made to guard the emperor in his tomb?
The Terracotta Army (Terracotta soldiers)
Which Han emperor greatly expanded the empire and strengthened the central government?
Emperor Wu (Wu Di)
Give one achievement of ancient Greece in science, math, literature, or art (examples: philosophy — Socrates/Plato/Aristotle; Homeric epics; Pythagoras; Greek columns).
Examples: philosophy (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle); mathematics (Pythagoras, Euclid); architecture (Doric/Ionic/Corinthian); literature (Homer)
What was the long period of peace and stability in Rome called that lasted about 200 years?
Pax Romana
Explain how geography helped at least one civilization develop (pick any civilization and give a brief explanation).
Example: River valleys (Yellow & Yangtze for Qin/Han; Tiber for Rome) provided water for farming and trade routes, supporting population growth and urban centers
Describe one harsh policy or method used under Qin rule (hint: philosophy guiding strict punishments and order).
Legalism: strict laws, harsh punishments; heavy taxation and forced labor; book burnings/persecution of scholars
Explain how the Silk Road affected the Han Dynasty (one or two sentences).
The Silk Road connected China with Central Asia and beyond, allowing trade (silk, goods), cultural exchange, and the spread of ideas.
Explain why it is useful to compare classical civilizations across regions and time.
Athens emphasized education, arts, and democracy for male citizens; Sparta emphasized military training and discipline — women had more household duties and limited political roles in both.
Explain one major reason historians say contributed to the fall of the Western Roman Empire (choose one: overexpansion, invasions, corruption, civil wars).
Examples: overexpansion stretched resources; invasions by groups like Visigoths; internal corruption and civil wars; economic troubles
Explain why it is useful to compare classical civilizations across regions and time.
Example answer: "Comparing civilizations helps us see patterns, like how trade spreads ideas and technology. It also shows how geography and government choices lead to different outcomes across time and region."