SOL Quiz 21

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SOL Quiz 21

• Latin America

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1. Latin America includes which of the following
regions? a. Central America, South America, and
Spain b. Central America, South America, and
Antarctica c. Mexico, Central America, South
America, and the Caribbean d. Mexico, Central
America, South America, and Spain
Latin America is a vast region that stretches
from the Mexican-U.S. border in the north to Cape
Horn in South America. It includes Mexico,
Central America, South America, and several
Caribbean islands. The region is comprised of 32
independent nations and some small possessions of
European nations.
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2. Trade and travel are difficult in the Amazon
River Basin because it is a region of a.
pampas b. paramos c. rain forests d. all of the
above
The Amazon River Basin is the largest rain forest
area in the world, covering one-third of South
America. Temperatures are high and thunderstorms
occur almost daily. The constant high humidity
is extremely uncomfortable. Trade and travel are
limited because the high humidity makes
productive human labor difficult.
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3. Social studies is made up of a number of
different subjects. Experts who study
prehistoric peoples are called a. historians b.
archaeologists c. scientists d. sociologists
Archaeologists are social scientists who study
prehistoric peoples. Since there are no written
records, they must depend on the remains of these
societies for clues to the cultures that existed.
Archaeologists carefully locate and excavate
sites where prehistoric people settled, looking
for bits of bone, pottery, or other artifacts
which have not decayed over time.
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4. Which of the following is a TRUE statement
regarding Latin America in the pre-Columbian
period? a. There were no signs of civilization
in pre-Columbian times. b. The Spanish dominated
the Central American region. c. The Aztecs,
Incas, and Mayas developed advanced societies. d.
There were only isolated and primitive tribal
groups.
Although many groups did not develop past the
primitive stage of culture, the Mayas, Aztecs,
and Incas developed great civilizations. By the
time Columbus arrived in the "New World," as
Europeans viewed the Western Hemisphere, the
Mayan culture had reached its golden age and
declined.
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5. In studying history it is important to
distinguish between what is fact and what is an
opinion. Which statement expresses an
opinion? a. The ancient Mayas had knowledge of
astronomy and mathematics. b. The Incas were
culturally far superior than their
militaristic European conquerors. c. The Incas
had mastered the architecture involved in earth-
quake-proofing structures. d. European weapons
and horses gave the Spanish conquistadores
military superiority over their Indian enemies.
The statement that the Incas were culturally
superior to the Europeans is an opinion, not a
fact. Both societies had highly developed
cultures and systems of learning, and preferring
one over the other is not justified.