SAT II World History : Ancient Religions and Paganism
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II World History
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Ancient Religions And Paganism
Which of the following religions is the earliest monotheistic religion of the presented options?
Zoroastrianism
Christianity
Hinduism
Eastern Orthodoxy
Islam
Zoroastrianism
Monotheistic religions are differentiated from polytheistic religions in that monotheistic religions believe in only one deity while polytheistic religions believe in many. Examples of monotheistic religions are Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, whereas examples of polytheistic religions are Hinduism, Paganism, and Roman, Egyptian, and Greek mythologies.
Zoroastrianism arose in the eastern region of the ancient Persian Empire in about the seventh century BCE. It involves two opposing forces of good and evil and one god. Zoroastrianism is generally considered by historians to be the first monotheistic religion in human history and a great influencing factor in the development of Judaism and, later, Christianity and Islam. Today, somewhere between five hundred thousand and three million people identify as Zoroastrians.
Example Question #34 : World Religions
Which of these religions most heavily emphasizes oneness with nature?
Daoism
Confucianism
Deism
Hinduism
Judaism
Daoism
Daoism is an ancient religion founded approximately in the fourth century BCE. Its principle tenets are the belief in yin and yang and the balance of the universe. In Daoism, oneness with nature is very important.
Example Question #34 : World Religions
Which of the following is an early monotheistic religion that arose in the Persian Empire approximately in the seventh century BCE?
Zoroastrianism
Buddhism
Sikhism
Jainism
Islam
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism arose in the Persian Empire in roughly the seventh century BCE. Along with Judaism, it is one of the earliest known monotheistic religions. Its influence has waned significantly in the last thousand years, but it is still practiced by over 100,000 people worldwide.
Example Question #32 : Overarching Themes And Philosophies
Zarathustra is the founder of which ancient religion?
Zoroastrianism
Gnosticism
Shinto
Arianism
Daoism
Zoroastrianism
Zarathustra, also called Zoroaster, is the founder of the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism is often considered to be the earliest known monotheistic religion, predating Judaism, although academic consensus on this has not yet been reached.
Example Question #33 : Overarching Themes And Philosophies
The Ancient Indian religion of Jainism is centered around the principles of __________.
nonviolence and self-control
good works and good faith
meditation and filial piety
obedience and hard work
abstinence and self-sacrifice
nonviolence and self-control
Jainism is an Ancient Indian religion that arose in approximately the seventh century B.C.E. It still is influential today, although there are relatively few practicioners outside of India. The central tenets of Jainism are nonviolence and self-control.
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