Global History & Geography I: Early Societies to c. 1750 — Sample exam worked answers
Student exam paperA course-authored written history assessment. Use two 60-minute blocks for the midterm, three for the final, and one for the optional sample. Marking and revision have a separate parent-plan session.
8 questions · 24 points · suggested 60 minutes
Student instructions
- Use supplied evidence and your timeline; notes and a glossary are permitted.
- Give short reasoned answers; distinguish observations from interpretations.
- Keep worked keys closed until after attempting the paper.
- Equivalent supported explanations and accessible response formats are accepted.
Historical inquiry methods
| Task | Method |
|---|---|
| Context | Identify period, place, institutions, and earlier conditions. |
| Source | Identify maker, date, purpose, form, and limits. |
| Causation | Explain a mechanism; chronology alone is not causation. |
| Comparison | Use stated criteria and comparable evidence. |
Coverage and marks
| Chapter | Questions | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Historical Inquiry & Early Societies | 1 | 3 |
| Ancient Cities, States & Citizenship | 2 | 3 |
| Belief Systems, Communities & Imperial Rule | 3 | 3 |
| Medieval Societies Across Regions | 4 | 3 |
| Trade Networks, Empires & Disruption | 5 | 3 |
| Americas, European Reforms & Atlantic Encounters | 6 | 3 |
| Early Modern States & Changing Authority | 7 | 3 |
| Knowledge, Labor & the World Around 1750 | 8 | 3 |
Parent / teacher marking guide
- A person awards each of the three criteria separately.
- Accept different supported interpretations; exact model wording is unnecessary.
- Use feedback and revision to diagnose gaps. A score does not certify homeschool credit.
Question 1 · 3 points
One elite tomb contains expensive goods. Can it show that every Egyptian household was wealthy?
Worked answer
No. The burial represents a selected person with resources. Compare settlement and household evidence and account for preservation before generalizing across the population.
Identify the relevant context and evidence.
Explain the connection using the supplied information.
Qualify the conclusion with the relevant limitation or distinction.
Marking criteria
- Accurate context or identification.
- Evidence connected to an explained conclusion.
- A correct limitation, distinction, or qualification.
Question 2 · 3 points
A textbook says a cultural golden age made every household equally prosperous. What evidence is missing?
Worked answer
Evidence about household resources, work, social status, access to learning, and regional variation is missing. Elite achievements are important but cannot establish equal conditions for all people.
Identify the relevant context and evidence.
Explain the connection using the supplied information.
Qualify the conclusion with the relevant limitation or distinction.
Marking criteria
- Accurate context or identification.
- Evidence connected to an explained conclusion.
- A correct limitation, distinction, or qualification.
Question 3 · 3 points
A ruler permits two religions but restricts one community’s offices. How should the policy be described?
Worked answer
Describe permitted practice together with unequal access to office. Toleration and equality are distinct questions; specify the rule, community, period, and evidence of implementation.
Identify the relevant context and evidence.
Explain the connection using the supplied information.
Qualify the conclusion with the relevant limitation or distinction.
Marking criteria
- Accurate context or identification.
- Evidence connected to an explained conclusion.
- A correct limitation, distinction, or qualification.
Question 4 · 3 points
A textbook calls Japan unchanged for a thousand years. What evidence could test the claim?
Worked answer
Compare dated court, warrior-government, land, urban, religious, and trade institutions. Political and social arrangements changed; one label or iconic image cannot represent every period.
Identify the relevant context and evidence.
Explain the connection using the supplied information.
Qualify the conclusion with the relevant limitation or distinction.
Marking criteria
- Accurate context or identification.
- Evidence connected to an explained conclusion.
- A correct limitation, distinction, or qualification.
Question 5 · 3 points
A court adopts a foreign title. Does that prove its population became culturally identical to the title’s source region?
Worked answer
No. Titles can be selected for legitimacy and adapted locally. Compare language, institutions, practice, and dates before making a claim about an entire population’s identity.
Identify the relevant context and evidence.
Explain the connection using the supplied information.
Qualify the conclusion with the relevant limitation or distinction.
Marking criteria
- Accurate context or identification.
- Evidence connected to an explained conclusion.
- A correct limitation, distinction, or qualification.
Question 6 · 3 points
A school account says conquest ended all Indigenous institutions. What evidence could test that claim?
Worked answer
Examine later community records, languages, land arrangements, petitions, religious practices, and descendant histories. Political domination caused major change without automatically erasing every institution or community.
Identify the relevant context and evidence.
Explain the connection using the supplied information.
Qualify the conclusion with the relevant limitation or distinction.
Marking criteria
- Accurate context or identification.
- Evidence connected to an explained conclusion.
- A correct limitation, distinction, or qualification.
Question 7 · 3 points
A palace proves a king could command every resident without resistance. Is that inference justified?
Worked answer
No. A palace shows resources and representation of authority. Administrative reach and obedience require separate evidence from collection, enforcement, local institutions, and conflict.
Identify the relevant context and evidence.
Explain the connection using the supplied information.
Qualify the conclusion with the relevant limitation or distinction.
Marking criteria
- Accurate context or identification.
- Evidence connected to an explained conclusion.
- A correct limitation, distinction, or qualification.
Question 8 · 3 points
A well-supported conclusion differs from the parent’s policy preference. How should it be marked?
Worked answer
Use the same criteria for historical accuracy, evidence, reasoning, and limits. Political agreement is not an assessment criterion; a different supported evaluation can earn full credit.
Identify the relevant context and evidence.
Explain the connection using the supplied information.
Qualify the conclusion with the relevant limitation or distinction.
Marking criteria
- Accurate context or identification.
- Evidence connected to an explained conclusion.
- A correct limitation, distinction, or qualification.
Revisit the covered chapters
- Historical Inquiry & Early Societies
- Ancient Cities, States & Citizenship
- Belief Systems, Communities & Imperial Rule
- Medieval Societies Across Regions
- Trade Networks, Empires & Disruption
- Americas, European Reforms & Atlantic Encounters
- Early Modern States & Changing Authority
- Knowledge, Labor & the World Around 1750