Deserts
Ancient Greece
Ancient Rome
The Enlightenment
100

The Mojave Desert is located in what state and on what continent?

The Mojave Desert is located in California, on the continent of North America.

100

What is an oligarchy, and how was it practiced in ancient Greece?

An oligarchy is a government ruled by a small group of powerful, rich individuals, as seen in Sparta where aristocrats held power.

100

What was the Senate?

The Senate was a powerful governing body in the Roman Republic, made up of patricians who advised consuls and controlled public finances.

100

Who is considered to be the father of modern philosophy?

René Descartes is considered the father of modern philosophy, known for his phrase "I think, therefore I am" and his emphasis on reason.

200

What desert is located in Argentina?

The Patagonian desert.

200

Which city-state emphasized military training in their educational system?

Sparta emphasized military training, with boys undergoing rigorous preparation for warfare and loyalty to the state.

200

What did the plebeians do when they disagreed with the patricians' attempts to control them?

Plebeians staged protests, including secessions, to demand rights, eventually gaining political representation through the Tribunes.

200

A strong, all-powerful ruler was believed to be important to which enlightenment thinker?

Thomas Hobbes argued for a strong, all-powerful ruler to maintain order and prevent chaos.

300

What physical features surround the Gobi desert?

The Gobi is surrounded by mountains, which block rain.

300

What qualified a person to be a citizen of Athens?

A citizen of Athens had to be a free male over 18 years old with two Athenian parents, excluding women, enslaved people, and foreigners.

300

How did Augustus bring stability to Rome after years of civil war?

Augustus reformed the army, stabilized the economy, and promoted public works, strengthening Rome's governance.

300

Which enlightenment thinker believed that the separation of powers was necessary to prevent leaders or governments from becoming too powerful?

Baron de Montesquieu believed in the separation of powers, suggesting checks and balances to limit government overreach.

400

How do climatologists define the word desert?

A desert is defined as a place where evaporation exceeds precipitation, making it very dry.

400

Who was Socrates? What was he known for? How did he die?

Socrates was a philosopher known for his questioning method, sentenced to death by hemlock for corrupting Athenian youth.

400

What did Hannibal do to attack Rome during the Second Punic War?

Hannibal led a daring campaign across the Alps into Italy, winning significant battles but ultimately failing to conquer Rome.

400

What are Natural rights? Which Enlightenment philosopher argued for these ideas?

Natural rights are rights to life, liberty, and property that everyone is born with, championed by John Locke.

500

How have the Aborigines managed to survive in the Australian Outback for thousands of years?

The Aborigines survived by using traditional knowledge, such as songlines, and by adapting to their environment overtime.

500

Describe the Battle of Marathon and its importance to the Persian Wars.

The Battle of Marathon was a pivotal Greek victory against Persia in 490 BCE that boosted Athenian confidence and military prestige. It showed that Greece was not to be easily pushed around by the Persians.

500

What did the Romans often allow conquered people to do?

Romans often allowed conquered people to keep their local customs and governments as long as they paid taxes and supported Rome

500

How did John Locke’s ideas come into action with the English Parliament?

Locke's ideas inspired the Glorious Revolution, leading to a constitutional monarchy that limited royal power and protected citizens’ rights through a Bill of Rights.

600

What features do “hot” and “cold” deserts have in common?

Both experience dramatic temperature changes between day and night.

600

What term best describes Aristotle’s philosophy?

Aristotle’s philosophy is described as "Empiricism," emphasizing observation and experience as sources of knowledge.

600

For what is Julius Caesar remembered?

Julius Caesar is remembered for his military conquests, including Gaul, and for his role in transitioning Rome from a republic to a dictatorship before his assassination.

600

How did the declaration of independence embody enlightenment ideas?

The Declaration of Independence reflected Locke’s ideas of natural rights and government deriving its power from the consent of the governed.

700

What is adaptation?

Adaptation refers to the ways plants, animals, and people adjust to their environment to survive harsh desert conditions.

700

What was the outcome of the Persian wars? What effect did this have on Greek city-states, particularly Athens and Sparta?

The Greeks defeated Persia, leading to Athens' rise as a cultural leader and Sparta's continued focus on militarism.

700

Who was Alaric?

Alaric was the king of the Visigoths who led the sack of Rome in 410 CE.

700

How did the U.S. constitution embody enlightenment ideas?

The U.S. Constitution incorporated Montesquieu’s principles of separation of powers and checks and balances to limit government authority.