SAT II World History : Writing

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Prehistory To 500 C.E.

The modern-day Latin alphabet is based on the innovations of __________.

Possible Answers:

the Chinese Empire

the Babylonian Empire

the Phoenician Empire 

the Roman Empire 

the Sumerian Empire

Correct answer:

the Phoenician Empire 

Explanation:

The Phoenician empire is an ancient and classical-era civilization that emerged around 1200 BCE along the Mediterranean Coast of the “Fertile Crescent." It was primarily a maritime and economic empire, and its culture spread throughout Mediterranean Europe, the Near East, and North Africa. The Phoenicians are credited with inventing one of the earliest known writing systems, and almost certainly the world’s oldest alphabets. Because of Phoenicia’s expansive trading habits, their alphabet spread to many parts of the world. It was the direct ancestor of the Greek (and subsequently, Latin) alphabets, as well as the modern Arabic and Hebrew scripts.

Example Question #2 : Prehistory To 500 C.E.

The Epic of Gilgamesh is famous because it is __________.

Possible Answers:

the earliest known work of literature

the earliest known code of laws

important for translating Egyptian hieroglyphics

important for understanding trading patterns of the ancient world

used to study ancient Greek customs

Correct answer:

the earliest known work of literature

Explanation:

The Epic of Gilgamesh tells the tale of the possibly mythological Sumerian conqueror Gilgamesh. It is famous because it is the earliest known work of literature. It dates from approximately 2000 BCE.

Example Question #3 : Prehistory To 500 C.E.

Cuneiform is one of the earliest known examples of __________.

Possible Answers:

metalworking

writing

masonry

language

farming

Correct answer:

writing

Explanation:

Cuneiform is one of the earliest known examples of writing in human history. It emerged in Sumeria approximately six thousand years ago. It spread throughout much of the known world before eventually being replaced by the simpler Phoenician alphabet in the first millennium BCE. 

Example Question #4 : Prehistory To 500 C.E.

Most of pre-Classical Indian literature is written in ________.

Possible Answers:

Aryan 

Urdu 

Sanskrit 

Bengali 

Hindi 

Correct answer:

Sanskrit 

Explanation:

Classical Indian texts were almost exclusively written in either “Vedic” or “Classical” Sanskrit. Many notable early works of Indian philosophy, Hindu spiritualism, Indian mathematics, and Buddhist practice are written in Classical Sanskrit. Its influence continues today and it remains one of the official languages of India. Urdu is an Arabic written language used primarily in Northern India, Pakistan and other parts of the Eastern Middle East. Hindi is the majority language of India and Bengali is a language spoken by people in Eastern India and Bangladesh. 

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