PATERSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Grade 7 Social Studies Pre Assessment

         

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Multiple Choice Directions: Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question. Use the information below to answer question 1.

Geography doesn’t simply begin and end with maps showing the location of all the countries of the world. In fact, such maps don’t necessarily tell us much. No—geography poses fascinating questions about whom we are and how we got to be that way, and then provides clues to the answers. ~Kenneth Davis

1.The speaker in the passage above is stating that a. maps are not helpful to historians. b. human geography is more important than physical geography. c. historians want to know where people settled. d. physical features and locations tell historians about the ways people lived.

Study the map below and answer the question 2-4 that follows Arabia, AD 570

____ 2. Why do you think Arabia is called a “crossroads?” a. It is near the intersection of three continents. b. Its land trade routes pass through the region. c. Its sea trade routes pass through the region. d. It is near the intersection of three continents and trade routes pass through the region.

____ 3. What bodies of water border Arabia to the east?

a. Persian Gulf b. Arabian Sea c. Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea d. Gulf of Aden and Red Sea

____ 4. What bodies of water border Arabia to the west?

a. Red Sea b. Arabian Sea c. Mediterranean Sea d. Gulf of Aden

Study the biography below and answer the question 5 and 6 that follows

___ 5. How do you think Confucius’s government jobs helped shape his teachings?

a. He knew music, mathematics, poetry, and history. b. He saw what condition his society was in and what was needed to fix society’s problems. c. He grew up in extreme poverty so a government job would help him. d. He knew his teachings would transform Chinese life and thought.

___ 6. From the biography above, what did Confucius not master?

a. Music b. Teaching c. History d. Science

Biography

Confucius 551–479 BC

Confucius, whose Chinese title is Kongfuzi, grew up in extreme poverty. Confucius was a dedicated student into his teenage years. Little is known about how he received his formal education, but he mastered many subjects, including music, mathematics, poetry, and history. He served in minor government positions, and then he became a teacher. He never knew his teachings would transform Chinese life and thought.

Study the map below to answer questions 7 and 8

Jewish Migration After 70 AD

____ 7. In what direction did the Jews migrate from their homeland?

a. north, west, southwest b. north and south

c. west, south, east d. north, west, northwest.

____ 8. Which continents had Jewish migration areas by AD 70?

a. Europe and Africa b. Europe, Africa, Middle East c. Europe and Asia d. Europe, Africa, and Asia

Study the visual below and answer questions 9 and 10.

The Five Pillars of Islam

____ 9. Which of the following responsibilities of Muslims is not one of the Five Pillars of Islam?

a. Jihad b. Frequent prayer c. Haj d. Giving to the poor

_____ 10. Which of the five pillars shows how Muslims are supposed to treat other people?

a. Praying five times a day b. Giving to the poor and needy c. Traveling to Mecca at least once on a haj d. Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan

Study the map below to answer question 11 that follows the map

____ 11. Buddhism spread to what island south of India?

a. Sumatra b. Borneo c. Ceylon (Sri Lanka) d. Bay of Bengal

12. ____ The final destination of the crusades shown on the map above?

a. Rome b. Holy Land c. Byzantine Empire d. England

Using this primary source of Paul’s Letter to the Romans below, answer question 13

____13. How did Paul’s letter express Jesus’ teachings?

a. It tells to love one’s neighbor. b. It tells to live peaceably with all c. It tells to love one’s neighbor and to live peaceably with all. d. It tells to repay anyone evil for evil.

“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent[strong] in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” -Romans 12:9-18 NRSV

Using the visual below answer questions 14 and 15 below

Hebrew Texts

The Torah Using a special pointer called a yad, this girl is reading aloud from the Torah. The Torah is the most sacred of Hebrew writings. Jews believe its contents were revealed to Moses by God. The Torah plays a central role in many Jewish ceremonies, like this one.

The Hebrew Bible These beautifully decorated pages are from a Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew Bible, sometimes called the Tanach, includes the Torah and other ancient writings.

The Commentaries The Talmud is a collection of commentaries and discussions about the Torah and the Hebrew Bible. The Talmud is a rich source of information for discussion and debate. Rabbis and religious scholars like these young men study the Talmud to learn about Jewish history and laws.

____ 14. According to the information above which statement is false.

a. The Talmud is a collection of commentaries and discussions about the Torah and Hebrew Bible. b. The Hebrew Bible contains the Torah and other ancient writings. c. When reading aloud from both the Torah and Hebrew Bible a person will use a Yad. d. Jews believes the Torah’s contents were revealed to Moses by God.

____ 15. Why do you think the Talmud is a rich source of information for discussion and debate?

a. It is the oldest out of the three. b. It contains both commentaries and discussions about the Torah and Hebrew Bible. c. It is the newest out of the three. d. Young men study the Talmud to learn about Jewish history and laws.

Study the map below to answer questions 16, 17, and 18.

The Spread of Christianity, AD 300- AD 400

____ 16. Which continents had Christian areas by AD 400?

a. Africa b. Asia and Europe c. Asia and Africa d. Asia, Europe, and Africa

____ 17. What areas had the least Christians areas from AD 300-400?

a. Egypt b. Carthage c. Britain d. Spain

____ 18. Which answer below do you feel was not a reason for the spread of Christianity?

a. Early Christians spread Jesus’ teaching only among Jews. b. Within a hundred years after Jesus’ death, thousands of Christians lived in the Roman Empire c. Paul and other Christians introduced Christianity to no Jews as well. d. Paul also told Christians that they didn’t have to obey all Jewish laws and rituals.

Open-ended Short Answer 19. Using the Venn diagram below write a comparison of these two feudalistic societies. Response should be 3-5 sentences long.

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20. Short Essay:

Storm the Castle

It’s 1000 AD. Your mission is to conquer an enemy castle in medieval Europe. It won’t be easy. The castle defenders are waiting along the castle walls, ready to strike back. You march up with all of the soldiers and equipment you think you will need. You then finalize the invasion plans with your army and begin your attack. What methods will you use to attack the castle? How might castle defenders repel your attack? Point out the castle’s defensive features and describe the period weaponry you would use. What were the advantages and disadvantages of rulers fortifying themselves in castles? Answer with at least three detailed paragraphs.

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