World History (Grades 9–10) Midterm — Semester 1, Form A
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Free printable World History midterm (Grades 9–10): 15 multiple-choice questions plus 1 written response covering Renaissance & Reformation, Age of Exploration, Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment & Political Revolutions. Answer key included — customize it in the Midterm Maker.
World History (Grades 9–10) Midterm — Semester 1, Form A
Name: Date: Period:
Directions: Read each question carefully and choose the best answer. Answer the written response in complete sentences.
Covers: Renaissance & Reformation · Age of Exploration · Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment & Political Revolutions
Part 1: Multiple Choice
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What did Machiavelli argue in The Prince?
- A. Rulers should avoid using force at all times
- B. Rulers should do whatever is practical to keep power
- C. Rulers should share power with elected assemblies
- D. Rulers should follow the advice of the Pope
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What was the main goal of the Catholic Counter-Reformation?
- A. To reform the Church and stop the spread of Protestantism
- B. To unite Catholic and Protestant churches into one
- C. To translate the Bible into every language
- D. To end the power of the Pope
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Which best describes Renaissance humanism?
- A. A focus on human potential and the study of classical texts
- B. A movement to return to farming and village life
- C. A belief that people should reject all religion
- D. A belief that only the clergy should be educated
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Why did Henry VIII break with the Roman Catholic Church?
- A. The Pope refused to annul his first marriage
- B. The Pope tried to invade England
- C. He disagreed with Calvin's teachings
- D. He wanted to join the Lutheran church in Germany
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Which idea is most closely linked to John Calvin?
- A. Predestination
- B. Humanism
- C. Indulgences
- D. Divine right of kings
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Which conquistador conquered the Aztec Empire?
- A. Juan Ponce de León
- B. Ferdinand Magellan
- C. Francisco Pizarro
- D. Hernán Cortés
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Which navigational tool helped sailors find their latitude?
- A. The barometer
- B. The magnetic compass
- C. The sundial
- D. The astrolabe
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Historians often sum up the motives for European exploration as what?
- A. Faith, family, and farming
- B. Peace, land, and bread
- C. God, gold, and glory
- D. Liberty, equality, and fraternity
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What did Vasco da Gama achieve in 1498?
- A. He reached India by sailing around Africa
- B. He reached the Americas for Spain
- C. He crossed the Pacific Ocean first
- D. He conquered the Inca Empire
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Magellan's expedition (1519-1522) was the first to do what?
- A. Reach India by sailing around Africa
- B. Map the Mississippi River
- C. Land on the coast of North America
- D. Sail completely around the world
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Why did Galileo face trial by the Church in 1633?
- A. He refused to use a telescope
- B. He invented the printing press
- C. He supported the idea that Earth moves around the sun
- D. He denied that the moon existed
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What did Copernicus propose?
- A. The planets move in perfect squares
- B. The sun, not Earth, is at the center of the solar system
- C. Earth is the center of the universe
- D. The moon produces its own light
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Why did Thomas Hobbes support a strong ruler?
- A. He believed people were naturally good and peaceful
- B. He believed democracy was the safest system
- C. He believed people without government would live in chaos
- D. He believed the Church should govern society
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What did John Locke say people could do if a government violated their natural rights?
- A. Ask the Church to choose a new ruler
- B. Appeal only to the king for mercy
- C. Give up their rights permanently
- D. Change or overthrow the government
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What was the Napoleonic Code?
- A. A list of rights for enslaved people
- B. A military plan to invade Britain
- C. A treaty ending the French Revolution
- D. A unified system of laws for France
Part 2: Written Response
- How did the printing press help spread both the Renaissance and the Reformation?
Answer Key — World History (Grades 9–10) Midterm — Semester 1, Form A
- B — Rulers should do whatever is practical to keep power Machiavelli wrote that effective rulers may need to be cunning, even ruthless.
- A — To reform the Church and stop the spread of Protestantism The Council of Trent and the Jesuits worked to strengthen Catholicism.
- A — A focus on human potential and the study of classical texts Humanists studied Greek and Roman works and celebrated human achievement.
- A — The Pope refused to annul his first marriage Henry created the Church of England and made himself its head in 1534.
- A — Predestination Calvin taught that God had already chosen who would be saved.
- D — Hernán Cortés Cortés defeated the Aztecs in 1521; Pizarro conquered the Inca.
- D — The astrolabe The astrolabe measured the angle of the sun or stars to find latitude.
- C — God, gold, and glory Explorers sought to spread Christianity, gain wealth, and win fame.
- A — He reached India by sailing around Africa Da Gama's voyage opened a sea route from Europe to Asia for Portugal.
- D — Sail completely around the world Magellan died on the way, but his crew finished the first circumnavigation.
- C — He supported the idea that Earth moves around the sun Galileo's telescope observations backed heliocentrism, which Church authorities condemned.
- B — The sun, not Earth, is at the center of the solar system Copernicus's heliocentric model challenged the long-accepted Earth-centered view.
- C — He believed people without government would live in chaos In Leviathan, Hobbes argued that only a powerful ruler could keep order.
- D — Change or overthrow the government Locke said government rests on consent and people may replace an unjust government.
- D — A unified system of laws for France The code made laws uniform and promoted equality before the law for male citizens.
Written Response — Look-Fors
- Cheaper books; humanist and classical ideas spread; Luther's theses and vernacular Bibles circulated; rising literacy; challenges to Church authority.