Q.1 Which period is characterized by the use of stone tools and hunting-gathering societies?
Neolithic
Paleolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Explanation - The Paleolithic period, also called the Old Stone Age, saw humans using simple stone tools and living as hunter-gatherers.
Correct answer is: Paleolithic
Q.2 The development of agriculture is a hallmark of which period?
Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Bronze Age
Explanation - The Neolithic period, or New Stone Age, is marked by the transition from hunting-gathering to farming and permanent settlements.
Correct answer is: Neolithic
Q.3 Which river valley civilization is known for the development of cuneiform writing?
Indus Valley
Mesopotamia
Ancient Egypt
China
Explanation - Mesopotamia, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, developed cuneiform as one of the earliest writing systems.
Correct answer is: Mesopotamia
Q.4 Which ancient civilization built the pyramids?
Mesopotamia
Indus Valley
Ancient Egypt
Minoan Civilization
Explanation - The Egyptians constructed monumental pyramids as tombs for their pharaohs, most famously the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Correct answer is: Ancient Egypt
Q.5 What material marks the beginning of the Bronze Age?
Iron
Copper
Bronze
Stone
Explanation - The Bronze Age began when humans learned to alloy copper with tin to produce bronze for tools and weapons.
Correct answer is: Bronze
Q.6 Which early civilization is noted for planning cities like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa?
Mesopotamia
Indus Valley
Ancient Egypt
China
Explanation - The Indus Valley Civilization had advanced urban planning with grid layouts, drainage systems, and standardized weights.
Correct answer is: Indus Valley
Q.7 Which invention revolutionized communication and record-keeping in ancient Mesopotamia?
Hieroglyphics
Cuneiform
Alphabet
Papyrus
Explanation - Cuneiform, developed by the Sumerians, allowed for record-keeping, laws, and literature.
Correct answer is: Cuneiform
Q.8 The first known empire in Mesopotamia was established by which ruler?
Hammurabi
Sargon of Akkad
Nebuchadnezzar
Gilgamesh
Explanation - Sargon of Akkad created the first empire by uniting city-states in Mesopotamia around 2334 BCE.
Correct answer is: Sargon of Akkad
Q.9 Which prehistoric period saw humans begin making polished stone tools?
Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Explanation - In the Neolithic period, humans advanced from chipped stone tools to polished ones, alongside agriculture.
Correct answer is: Neolithic
Q.10 The 'Wheel' was first invented in which civilization?
Egypt
Mesopotamia
Indus Valley
China
Explanation - The wheel appeared in Mesopotamia around 3500 BCE and was crucial for transportation and pottery.
Correct answer is: Mesopotamia
Q.11 Which early writing material was commonly used by Egyptians?
Clay tablets
Papyrus
Parchment
Bamboo strips
Explanation - Papyrus, made from the papyrus plant along the Nile, was used by Egyptians to write hieroglyphics.
Correct answer is: Papyrus
Q.12 Which animal was first domesticated by humans during prehistoric times?
Horse
Dog
Sheep
Camel
Explanation - Dogs were among the first animals domesticated, used for hunting and protection by Paleolithic humans.
Correct answer is: Dog
Q.13 Which river is associated with the rise of ancient Egyptian civilization?
Tigris
Euphrates
Nile
Indus
Explanation - The Nile River provided fertile land, water for irrigation, and enabled agriculture, supporting ancient Egyptian civilization.
Correct answer is: Nile
Q.14 Which of the following is considered a primary characteristic of a civilization?
Nomadic lifestyle
Complex social structure
Hunter-gathering
Use of stone tools only
Explanation - Civilizations are marked by organized societies with social hierarchies, government, religion, and culture.
Correct answer is: Complex social structure
Q.15 Which prehistoric art form is most associated with Paleolithic humans?
Cave paintings
Statues
Hieroglyphs
Pottery
Explanation - Paleolithic humans created cave paintings, often depicting animals and hunting scenes, as part of early symbolic expression.
Correct answer is: Cave paintings
Q.16 What was the primary purpose of ziggurats in Mesopotamia?
Palaces for kings
Tombs for nobles
Religious temples
Marketplaces
Explanation - Ziggurats were massive stepped structures used as temples to worship gods in Mesopotamian cities.
Correct answer is: Religious temples
Q.17 Which ancient civilization developed the concept of zero in mathematics?
Mesopotamia
Egypt
Indus Valley
Mayan Civilization
Explanation - The Mayans independently developed the concept of zero as a placeholder in their numerical system.
Correct answer is: Mayan Civilization
Q.18 Which early civilization is famous for its advanced drainage and sewage systems?
Indus Valley
Mesopotamia
Ancient Egypt
China
Explanation - The Indus Valley cities like Mohenjo-Daro had highly organized drainage and sewage systems, showing urban planning.
Correct answer is: Indus Valley
Q.19 Which Neolithic innovation allowed humans to settle in one place?
Hunting techniques
Fire
Agriculture
Wheel
Explanation - The development of agriculture allowed humans to cultivate food in one location, leading to permanent settlements.
Correct answer is: Agriculture
Q.20 Which ancient civilization is associated with the Code of Hammurabi?
Sumer
Akkad
Babylon
Assyria
Explanation - The Code of Hammurabi was a set of laws established by King Hammurabi of Babylon, emphasizing justice and punishment.
Correct answer is: Babylon
Q.21 Which prehistoric period came immediately after the Paleolithic?
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Explanation - The Mesolithic, or Middle Stone Age, was a transitional period with microlith tools and semi-nomadic life.
Correct answer is: Mesolithic
Q.22 Which of the following was a major factor in the rise of early civilizations?
Domestication of plants and animals
Use of bronze tools
Invention of the wheel
Cave paintings
Explanation - Domestication allowed humans to produce surplus food, leading to population growth and urban settlements.
Correct answer is: Domestication of plants and animals
Q.23 Which civilization is credited with early advances in astronomy and calendar systems?
Ancient Egypt
Mesopotamia
Indus Valley
China
Explanation - The Egyptians developed calendars based on the lunar and solar cycles, crucial for agriculture and religious events.
Correct answer is: Ancient Egypt
Q.24 The first metal used by humans, marking the Chalcolithic period, was:
Iron
Bronze
Copper
Gold
Explanation - The Chalcolithic or Copper Age saw the first use of copper tools before the widespread use of bronze.
Correct answer is: Copper