What is the key characteristic that distinguishes the period of prehistory from history?

The use of metal tools instead of stone

The existence of large, organized cities

The development of agriculture and farming

How does the primary evidence studied by an archaeologist differ from that studied by a historian?

Archaeologists study written documents, while historians study physical objects.

Archaeologists study physical objects, while historians study written documents.

Archaeologists focus only on prehistory, while historians focus only on recent events.

Historians dig for evidence, while archaeologists read ancient languages.

Investigating the Past Practice — Grade 6 history

Lesson 3: Investigating the Past — Practice Questions

1. What is the key characteristic that distinguishes the period of prehistory from history?
- A. The use of metal tools instead of stone
- B. The absence of written records
- C. The existence of large, organized cities
- D. The development of agriculture and farming
2. What fundamental question about an ancient object is radioactive dating used to answer?
- A. Who was its original owner?
- B. What was its cultural purpose?
- C. How old is it?
- D. Where was it originally made?
3. A social scientist is carefully reading a set of laws written on an ancient clay tablet to understand a society's government. This person is most likely a(n):
- A. archaeologist
- B. historian
- C. geographer
- D. paleontologist
4. How does the primary evidence studied by an archaeologist differ from that studied by a historian?
- A. Archaeologists study written documents, while historians study physical objects.
- B. Archaeologists study physical objects, while historians study written documents.
- C. Archaeologists focus only on prehistory, while historians focus only on recent events.
- D. Historians dig for evidence, while archaeologists read ancient languages.
5. To understand life in the prehistoric era, a scientist might study the preserved remains of an ancient animal. What are these preserved remains called?
- A. Artifacts
- B. Hieroglyphs
- C. Fossils
- D. Manuscripts
6. The archaeological work of Sir Leonard Woolley, which helped reconstruct the daily life of an ancient civilization, was centered on what city?
- A. Babylon
- B. Thebes
- C. Ur
- D. Nineveh
7. The discoveries made by Sir Leonard Woolley at Ur provided historians with significant insight into which ancient civilization?
- A. Ancient Egyptian
- B. Akkadian
- C. Sumerian
- D. Hittite
8. The work of archaeologists like Sir Leonard Woolley is especially important for understanding cultures that have which characteristic?
- A. A history of constant warfare
- B. A nomadic lifestyle
- C. Few written records
- D. A complex system of laws
9. Unlike earlier treasure hunters, Sir Leonard Woolley's goal at Ur was to do what?
- A. Become famous.
- B. Sell artifacts to museums.
- C. Understand the people.
- D. Find the oldest city.
10. Which archaeologist is renowned for his use of careful, scientific methods during the excavation of the ancient Sumerian city of Ur?
- A. Howard Carter
- B. Heinrich Schliemann
- C. Sir Leonard Woolley
- D. Arthur Evans