Sample Test Items

SAMPLE TEST ITEMS
C.T. Evans

Sample Test IDs

A good answer to a test identification should include answers to the basic questions: who, what where, when and why important (especially focus on "why important"). The examples that follow are rather short, but they should get you started in the right direction. Please also note that you can use other sources, in addition to your textbook, as you study your key terms for the course.

Catherine the Great was empress of Russia in the second half of the eighteenth century. Born a minor German princess, she married into the Russian ruling family and came to the throne as a result of a palace coup. She was important because of her interest in the philosophes, her support of Enlightenment ideas in Russia, her expansion of the territory of the empire and her failed attempts to enact significant reform in Russia.

Abu-Bakr was a close friend and supporter of Muhammad in Mecca in the early seventh century. When Muhammad died, the Muslim community chose Abu-Bakr as first khalifa (caliph), or successor, to the prophet. He was important for holding the new religion together and beginning the expansion of Islam out of the Arabian peninsula. Sulla was one of a series of "political generals" who surfaced in the Roman republic around 100 bce in the midst of civil war. The civil disorder was largely the result of the Roman army beginning to intervene in politics. Sulla, in particular, violated the Republic's constitution by remaining in the office of dictator beyond the allowed six months. Sulla was also a particularly brutal man. The long period of civil unrest led to the end of the republic by Julius Caesar.

Example of appropriate answers for a time-line (your answers should be longer)
1. The founding of the city of Ur, approximately 3000 bce, was important because it signified the start of civilization in the West. 2. Moses received the Ten Commandments, approximately 1200 bce, which was important because it showed the start of ethical religion. 3. The fall of Troy to the Greeks around 1100 bce became the subject of tales of legendary exploits immortalized by Homer. 4. Zeno's reply to Alexander the Great to stop blocking the sunlight in 335? bce showed that philosophy had shaken off the shackles of Plato and Aristotle. 5. The daughter of Julius Caesar married Pompey in 58? bce which set in motion the chain of events that led to the dictatorship and assassination of Julius Caesar.