Unit 2 Ap World History Practice Test

The period between 1200 and 1450 CE marks a significant turning point in world history, characterized by the rise of powerful empires, flourishing trade networks, and unprecedented cultural exchange. Mastering this era requires diligent study and a firm grasp of key concepts. This practice test is designed to help you solidify your understanding of Unit 2 of AP World History and prepare you for the challenges of the AP exam.

Unit 2 AP World History: Practice Test

This practice test covers the key themes and topics within Unit 2 of AP World History, focusing on networks of exchange from 1200 to 1450. It includes multiple-choice questions to assess your knowledge of factual information and stimulus-based questions to evaluate your analytical skills.

Instructions: Answer all questions to the best of your ability. Pay close attention to the wording of each question and choose the best answer from the options provided.

Section 1: Multiple Choice Questions

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. Which of the following best describes the Mongol Empire's impact on trade?

   a) It disrupted all existing trade routes, leading to economic decline. b) It facilitated trade by creating a unified and secure environment across Eurasia. c) It focused solely on maritime trade, neglecting land-based routes. d) It imposed strict tariffs and regulations that stifled economic growth.

2. The Indian Ocean trade network primarily facilitated the exchange of which of the following goods?

   a) Fur and timber b) Silk and porcelain c) Spices, textiles, and precious metals d) Slaves and sugar

3. Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca demonstrated which of the following?

   a) The decline of Islam in West Africa. b) The immense wealth and influence of the Mali Empire. c) The isolation of West Africa from the rest of the world. d) The technological superiority of West Africa compared to the Middle East.

4. Which of the following was a major consequence of the Black Death?

   a) Increased agricultural production due to a surplus of labor. b) The strengthening of feudalism and manorialism. c) Significant population decline and social upheaval. d) The rapid expansion of European empires into Asia.

5. The trans-Saharan trade primarily connected which of the following regions?

   a) East Africa and South Asia b) North Africa and West Africa c) Europe and East Asia d) South America and North America

6. The travels of Ibn Battuta are significant because they:

   a) Documented the spread of Christianity throughout Asia. b) Provided detailed accounts of diverse cultures and societies in the Islamic world. c) Led to the discovery of the Americas. d) Marked the beginning of European colonization in Africa.

7. Which of the following accurately describes the cultural impact of trade networks during this period?

   a) Trade networks primarily facilitated the exchange of goods, with little impact on cultural diffusion. b) Trade networks led to the spread of religions, technologies, and artistic styles. c) Trade networks only affected coastal regions, leaving inland areas largely untouched. d) Trade networks resulted in the complete assimilation of all cultures into a single global culture.

8. The rise of city-states in Italy was primarily due to:

   a) The strong centralized government of the Holy Roman Empire. b) Their strategic location for trade in the Mediterranean Sea. c) Their abundance of natural resources and agricultural land. d) Their unified cultural identity and language.

9. Which of the following empires replaced the Abbasid Caliphate as the dominant power in the Islamic world?

   a) The Roman Empire b) The Byzantine Empire c) The Mongol Empire d) The Ottoman Empire

10. Which of the following innovations facilitated long-distance maritime trade during this period?

    a) The printing press b) The compass and astrolabe c) The steam engine d) The telegraph

11. What was a major reason for the decline of Great Zimbabwe?

    a) Invasion by European colonial powers. b) Depletion of resources and environmental degradation. c) Widespread adoption of Christianity leading to cultural collapse. d) Massive earthquake destroying the city.

12. The Silk Road primarily facilitated the exchange of goods between which regions?

    a) Europe and the Americas b) Africa and Europe c) East Asia and Europe d) South Asia and the Americas

13. What was the primary purpose of the Yuan Dynasty's policy regarding foreign merchants?

    a) To isolate China from foreign influence. b) To promote trade and economic growth by attracting merchants from around the world. c) To convert all foreign merchants to Buddhism. d) To expel all foreigners from China.

14. Which of the following belief systems spread along the Silk Roads?

    a) Confucianism b) Hinduism c) Buddhism d) Shintoism

15. The Swahili city-states were primarily engaged in trade with which of the following regions?

    a) Europe b) South Asia and the Middle East c) North America d) South America

Section 2: Stimulus-Based Multiple Choice Questions

Instructions: Answer the questions based on the provided stimulus.

Stimulus 1:

"The Messenger of God... rode every day, morning and evening, upon his horse, attended by a large retinue of his officers and pages... The Sultan’s liberality and generosity know no bounds... He showed favour to all classes of people. He loves men of learning and is a constant attendant at religious services. But what I admired most in his character was his profound humility and his utter contempt for worldly pomp." - Ibn Battuta, describing Mansa Musa of Mali.

1. Which of the following is the most likely purpose of Ibn Battuta's writing?

   a) To criticize Mansa Musa's extravagant spending habits. b) To provide a firsthand account of a powerful and wealthy Muslim ruler. c) To encourage European colonization of West Africa. d) To promote religious conversion to Christianity.

2. Ibn Battuta's account best supports which of the following conclusions about the Mali Empire?

   a) It was a small and insignificant kingdom. b) It was a center of Islamic learning and culture. c) It was isolated from the rest of the world. d) It was primarily focused on military conquest.

3. The description of Mansa Musa's "humility and... utter contempt for worldly pomp" is most likely intended to:

   a) Contradict other accounts of his wealth and power. b) Emphasize his devotion to Islamic principles. c) Suggest that he was a weak and ineffective ruler. d) Encourage other rulers to adopt similar policies.

Stimulus 2:

"From the beginning of the Sung dynasty, the three southeastern routes were established for shipping grain. In the first year of the Yuan-feng period [1078], the total amount of grain shipped was more than seven million hu. The reason why the southeast could supply the whole country with grain was entirely due to the benefits of water transport." - Song Dynasty Document

1. The passage above most clearly illustrates which of the following?

   a) The decline of agricultural production in China. b) The importance of water transport for the Song dynasty. c) The lack of trade between different regions of China. d) The reliance on foreign imports for food supply.

2. The "three southeastern routes" mentioned in the passage likely facilitated:

   a) The spread of Buddhism to China. b) The movement of goods within China's internal trade networks. c) The invasion of China by foreign powers. d) The emigration of Chinese people to other countries.

3. Based on the passage, which of the following can be inferred about the Song dynasty?

   a) It was a technologically backward society. b) It had a well-developed system of infrastructure and logistics. c) It was primarily focused on maritime trade. d) It had a small and dispersed population.

Section 3: Free-Response Question (FRQ)

Instructions: Answer the following question in a well-organized essay.

Question: Analyze the social and economic effects of long-distance trade networks in the period 1200-1450. Be sure to discuss specific trade routes, goods, and their impact on different societies.

Answer Key and Explanations

Section 1: Multiple Choice Questions

1. b) It facilitated trade by creating a unified and secure environment across Eurasia. The Mongol Empire, despite its initial brutality, fostered a period of relative peace and stability known as the Pax Mongolica, which facilitated trade along the Silk Road and other routes.

2. c) Spices, textiles, and precious metals. The Indian Ocean trade network was famous for the exchange of these goods, connecting Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, and East Africa.

3. b) The immense wealth and influence of the Mali Empire. Mansa Musa's lavish pilgrimage showcased the wealth and power of the Mali Empire and its devotion to Islam.

4. c) Significant population decline and social upheaval. The Black Death caused massive death tolls, leading to labor shortages, economic disruption, and social unrest.

5. b) North Africa and West Africa. The trans-Saharan trade connected these regions, facilitating the exchange of goods like salt, gold, and slaves.

6. b) Provided detailed accounts of diverse cultures and societies in the Islamic world. Ibn Battuta's travels documented the diversity and interconnectedness of the Islamic world in the 14th century.

7. b) Trade networks led to the spread of religions, technologies, and artistic styles. Trade networks acted as conduits for cultural exchange, facilitating the spread of ideas and practices.

8. b) Their strategic location for trade in the Mediterranean Sea. Italian city-states like Venice and Genoa benefited from their location, dominating Mediterranean trade.

9. c) The Mongol Empire. The Mongol conquests led to the decline of the Abbasid Caliphate, though the Ilkhanate was one of the successor states, rather than a replacement.

10. b) The compass and astrolabe. These navigational tools allowed sailors to navigate more accurately and travel greater distances.

11. b) Depletion of resources and environmental degradation. Overgrazing and deforestation likely contributed to the decline of Great Zimbabwe.

12. c) East Asia and Europe. The Silk Road was a network of trade routes that connected these regions, facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas.

13. b) To promote trade and economic growth by attracting merchants from around the world. The Yuan Dynasty under Kublai Khan encouraged foreign trade to boost the economy.

14. c) Buddhism. Buddhism spread along the Silk Roads from India to Central Asia and East Asia.

15. b) South Asia and the Middle East. The Swahili city-states were actively engaged in trade with merchants from these regions, exchanging goods like gold, ivory, and slaves for textiles, porcelain, and other goods.

Section 2: Stimulus-Based Multiple Choice Questions

Stimulus 1:

1. b) To provide a firsthand account of a powerful and wealthy Muslim ruler. Ibn Battuta's account offers insights into Mansa Musa's reign and the Mali Empire's grandeur.

2. b) It was a center of Islamic learning and culture. Ibn Battuta's admiration for Mansa Musa's religious devotion and love of learning supports this conclusion.

3. b) Emphasize his devotion to Islamic principles. Humility is a virtue in Islam, and Ibn Battuta's emphasis on this trait highlights Mansa Musa's piety.

Stimulus 2:

1. b) The importance of water transport for the Song dynasty. The passage explicitly states that the ability of the southeast to supply the country with grain was due to water transport.

2. b) The movement of goods within China's internal trade networks. The "three southeastern routes" were used for shipping grain, indicating their role in internal trade.

3. b) It had a well-developed system of infrastructure and logistics. The passage suggests that the Song dynasty had the capacity to manage large-scale grain shipments, implying a sophisticated system of infrastructure and logistics.

Section 3: Free-Response Question (FRQ)

Essay Outline:

I. Introduction

• Briefly introduce the period 1200-1450 as a time of increased interconnectedness through trade.
• Thesis statement: Long-distance trade networks during this period had significant social and economic effects, including the rise of new urban centers, the spread of religions and cultural practices, and the intensification of labor systems.

II. The Silk Road

• Economic Effects:
  • Facilitated the exchange of luxury goods like silk, spices, and porcelain.
  • Stimulated economic growth in cities along the route, such as Samarkand and Chang'an.
  • Created new economic opportunities for merchants and artisans.
• Social Effects:
  • Spread of Buddhism from India to Central Asia and East Asia.
  • Transmission of diseases like the Black Death, leading to demographic shifts and social unrest.
  • Cultural exchange and syncretism, as seen in the blending of artistic styles and religious beliefs.

III. The Indian Ocean Trade Network

• Economic Effects:
  • Dominated by the exchange of bulk goods like textiles, spices, and timber.
  • Rise of powerful trading cities like Calicut, Malacca, and Kilwa.
  • Involvement of diverse groups of merchants, including Arabs, Persians, Indians, and Southeast Asians.
• Social Effects:
  • Spread of Islam to Southeast Asia and East Africa.
  • Development of Swahili culture as a result of interactions between Bantu Africans and Arab traders.
  • Increased demand for slave labor in some regions, contributing to the growth of the slave trade.

IV. The Trans-Saharan Trade Network

• Economic Effects:
  • Exchange of gold from West Africa for salt from North Africa.
  • Rise of powerful empires like Mali and Songhai, which controlled the gold trade.
  • Development of urban centers like Timbuktu and Gao as centers of trade and learning.
• Social Effects:
  • Spread of Islam to West Africa, influencing political and social structures.
  • Increased demand for slaves to work in gold mines and as domestic servants.
  • Introduction of new technologies and ideas, such as the camel saddle.

V. Conclusion

• Summarize the main points of the essay, emphasizing the far-reaching social and economic effects of long-distance trade networks.
• Reiterate the thesis statement in a new and insightful way.
• Discuss the legacy of these trade networks and their impact on later historical developments.

Tips for Success on the AP World History Exam

• Master Key Concepts: Focus on understanding the major themes and concepts of each period, rather than memorizing isolated facts.
• Practice Regularly: Take practice tests and answer sample questions to familiarize yourself with the format and style of the exam.
• Analyze Sources: Develop your skills in analyzing primary and secondary sources, paying attention to the author's perspective, purpose, and audience.
• Write Clear and Concise Essays: Practice writing well-organized essays that address the prompt directly and provide specific evidence to support your arguments.
• Stay Organized: Create a study schedule and stick to it. Break down the material into manageable chunks and review regularly.

By studying diligently and practicing your skills, you can achieve success on the AP World History exam and gain a deeper understanding of world history. Good luck!