Latin America: Geography and Early Civilizations

6TH:LAT.AMER.TEST.A

Name: ______

“Latin America: Geography and Early Civilizations”

Directions: READ EACH QUESTION CAREFULLY! Then, circle the letter next to your answer. If you make an answer you cannot erase, draw one line through it and circle your new answer. If you do not understand what a question is asking, raise your hand and I will help you.

I. Multiple Choice 1. Countries near the Equator tend to be/ have more ______? (SS6.3.7) (2 points) A. More rainfall and vegetation. B. Unstable weather patterns. C. Less wildlife. D. Drier climates.

2. Olmec mythology was based on ______. (SS6.1.2) (2 points) A. Spiritual experiences from long prayer sessions. B. Stories that Christian missionaries told them. C. Gods and goddesses of smaller tribes. D. Things they saw in nature.

3. In what country does the Amazon River begin? (SS6.3.3) (2 points) A. Ecuador B. Brazil C. Chile D. Peru

4. Dr. Alan Rabinowitz is working with jaguars in Belize. He is working to ensure their survival by ______. (SS6.1.17) (2 points) A. Using native peoples, such as the Mayans, to tell stories of jaguar sightings. B. Using military forces, such as local militia, to drive jaguars toward cages. C. Using technology, such as small plans, to reach and research jaguars. D. Using bamboo traps, camouflaged in the jungle, to snare jaguars.

5. Which ancient Latin American civilization played a ball game called “pok-ta-tok”? (SS6.1.1) (2 points)

1 6TH:LAT.AMER.TEST.A

A. Olmecs B. Mayas C. Aztecs D. Incas

6. What major cultural development did the Olmecs make around 650 B.C.E.? (SS6.1.1) (2 points) A. A new trail network for jungle navigation. B. A new weaving technique. C. Smaller types of clay pots. D. A system of hieroglyphics.

7. Tenochtitlan was the center for trade and learning for what early Latin American civilization? (SS6.1.6) (2 points) A. Olmecs B. Mayas C. Aztecs D. Incas

8. Why did the Mayans build pyramids to worship their gods and goddesses? (SS6.1.2) (2 points) A. To provide a central place of worship. B. To show how big their gods and goddesses were. C. So there would be a place where the Mayans could bury their dead. D. So there would always be a place for large outdoor festivals to the gods/ goddesses.

9. Coral is made from ______. (SS6.3.3) (2 points) A. Rocks crushed together by water pressure. B. Barnacle masses from rocks and boats. C. Lava from underground volcanoes. D. Skeletons of tiny sea animals.

10. How did the Aztec empire become so rich? (SS6.1.1) (2 points) A. They attacked European explorers using large boats and stole their cargo. B. They conquered neighboring peoples and forced them to mine for gold. C. They had people whose job it was to mine for gold and jewels. D. The conquered nearby tribes and forced them to pay taxes.

11. The Caribbean includes Jamaica, Cuba, and ______. (SS6.3.3) (2 points) A. Key West, Florida

B. The Bahamas C. Caracas D. Mexico

12. The ______first used rivers for travel and trade. (SS6.4.1) (2 points) A. Olmecs B. Mayas C. Aztecs D. Incas

13. Researchers realized the ancient peoples of Latin America conducted trade because ______. (SS6.4.1) (2 points) A. They found Mayan tomb paintings showing people trading goods. B. They found jade from Central America at Olmec research sites. C. They found Olmec trade records written in 1400 B.C.E. D. They found Spanish gold at Mayan research sites.

14. What would happen to the food chain in Belize if jaguars became extinct? (SS6.3.3) (2 points) A. It would correct itself as another animal went to the top of the food chain. B. It would be unstable while animals evolved and learned to eat new foods. C. It would break down totally, animals the jaguars ate would over populate. D. It would break down temporarily, but could recover in 5 to 10 years.

II. Short Answer Directions: READ EACH QUESTION CAREFULLY! Write your answer in the space provided. If you need help understanding what a question is asking, raise your hand and I will help you.

15. List one (1) fact related to the Mayans for each of the following areas: (3 points) A. Economy:

B. Religion:

C. Culture:

16. Rainforests are very important to ecosystems around the world. 1.) Why are rainforests important to our society today? 2.) Name two (2) things that could happen if a rainforest disappeared. (3 points) ______

______. 1.) ______. 2.) ______.

17. Name two (2) natural resources found in South America. (2 points) 1.) ______. 2.) ______.