World History (Grades 9–10) Midterm — Units 1–2

Part 1: Multiple Choice

1. What did Machiavelli argue in The Prince?
   1. A. Rulers should avoid using force at all times
   2. B. Rulers should do whatever is practical to keep power
   3. C. Rulers should share power with elected assemblies
   4. D. Rulers should follow the advice of the Pope
2. What was the main goal of the Catholic Counter-Reformation?
   1. A. To reform the Church and stop the spread of Protestantism
   2. B. To unite Catholic and Protestant churches into one
   3. C. To translate the Bible into every language
   4. D. To end the power of the Pope
3. Which best describes Renaissance humanism?
   1. A. A focus on human potential and the study of classical texts
   2. B. A movement to return to farming and village life
   3. C. A belief that people should reject all religion
   4. D. A belief that only the clergy should be educated
4. Why did Henry VIII break with the Roman Catholic Church?
   1. A. The Pope refused to annul his first marriage
   2. B. The Pope tried to invade England
   3. C. He disagreed with Calvin's teachings
   4. D. He wanted to join the Lutheran church in Germany
5. Which idea is most closely linked to John Calvin?
   1. A. Predestination
   2. B. Humanism
   3. C. Indulgences
   4. D. Divine right of kings
6. What did Martin Luther criticize in his Ninety-Five Theses (1517)?
   1. A. The use of the printing press
   2. B. The art of the Renaissance
   3. C. The sale of indulgences by the Church
   4. D. The power of the Holy Roman Emperor
7. How did Gutenberg's printing press change Europe?
   1. A. Latin disappeared as a written language
   2. B. Painting replaced writing as the main way to share ideas
   3. C. Books became cheaper, spreading ideas and literacy faster
   4. D. Only monks were allowed to own and copy books
8. Why did the Renaissance begin in the Italian city-states?
   1. A. Wealth from trade and a heritage of Roman ruins and texts
   2. B. The absence of any powerful banking families
   3. C. Isolation from the rest of Europe and its ideas
   4. D. A strong central king who funded all artists
9. What role did the Medici family play in the Renaissance?
   1. A. They were Spanish monarchs who funded explorers
   2. B. They were German princes who protected Martin Luther
   3. C. They were Florentine bankers who sponsored artists and scholars
   4. D. They were English nobles who led the Reformation
10. Who painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel?
    1. A. Raphael
    2. B. Leonardo da Vinci
    3. C. Michelangelo
    4. D. Donatello
11. Which conquistador conquered the Aztec Empire?
    1. A. Juan Ponce de León
    2. B. Ferdinand Magellan
    3. C. Francisco Pizarro
    4. D. Hernán Cortés
12. Which navigational tool helped sailors find their latitude?
    1. A. The barometer
    2. B. The magnetic compass
    3. C. The sundial
    4. D. The astrolabe
13. Historians often sum up the motives for European exploration as what?
    1. A. Faith, family, and farming
    2. B. Peace, land, and bread
    3. C. God, gold, and glory
    4. D. Liberty, equality, and fraternity
14. What did Vasco da Gama achieve in 1498?
    1. A. He reached India by sailing around Africa
    2. B. He reached the Americas for Spain
    3. C. He crossed the Pacific Ocean first
    4. D. He conquered the Inca Empire
15. Magellan's expedition (1519-1522) was the first to do what?
    1. A. Reach India by sailing around Africa
    2. B. Map the Mississippi River
    3. C. Land on the coast of North America
    4. D. Sail completely around the world
16. What did the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) do?
    1. A. Ended a war between England and Spain
    2. B. Gave France control of North America
    3. C. Banned the Atlantic slave trade
    4. D. Divided newly claimed lands between Spain and Portugal
17. How did Prince Henry the Navigator contribute to exploration?
    1. A. He led the conquest of the Aztec Empire
    2. B. He was the first to sail around the world
    3. C. He sponsored Portuguese voyages along Africa's coast
    4. D. He discovered a sea route to China for Spain
18. Which nation sponsored Columbus's voyage in 1492?
    1. A. England
    2. B. France
    3. C. Portugal
    4. D. Spain
19. What was the leading cause of population decline among Native Americans after 1492?
    1. A. Lack of farmland
    2. B. Long droughts
    3. C. Diseases such as smallpox
    4. D. Volcanic eruptions
20. What was the Columbian Exchange?
    1. A. A bank founded by Christopher Columbus
    2. B. The transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between hemispheres
    3. C. A trade agreement between Spain and China
    4. D. The exchange of prisoners after European wars

Part 2: Written Response

21. Analyze the positive and negative effects of the Columbian Exchange on Europe, the Americas, and Africa.