Cities and Urban Life, 6th Edition Test Bank

Examination Questions Multiple Choice 1. The oldest city known to archeologists emerged in human history a. 50,000 years ago. * b. 10,000 years ago. c. in 3500 B.C.E. d. in 350 B.C.E. Page 24 2. In 2010, the percentage of the world’s population living in cities was a. 19%. b. 33%. c. 47%. *d. 52%. Page 24 3. According to archeologists, populations began to settle in fertile places * a. because of increased population density. b. because of slavery. c. during the 5th century B.C.E. d. in Europe first. Page 25 4. The early settlements were characterized by * a. a relatively complex division of labor. b. a relatively egalitarian division of tasks. c. a population of hunters and gatherers. d. a lack of political structure. Page 25 5. Jericho a. is thought to be the oldest city. b. showed imposing fortifications, including a surrounding wall and a tower. c. was first built about 10,000 years ago. * d. All of the above Page 26 6. City-states a. were first created by the Greeks. * b. were found in Mesopotamia. c. characterized the Middle-age. d. typically lacked political and military structure. Page 30-31 7. The study of early urban settlements reveals a. the continuous development over the millennia. * b. discontinuity and change in developmental patterns. c. that cities always grow in population over time. d. None of the above Page 36 8. Mesopotamia was characterized by * a. theocratic political regimes. b. political stability. c. a diversity of cultures. d. Both b and c Page 37 9. The archeological record of Egyptian cities is less detailed due to a. earthquakes. * b. building materials. c. wars. d. None of the above Page 32 10. Egyptian cities were symbols of a. simplicity. b. democracy. * c. the pharaohs’ power. d. military wealth. Page 32 11. The ancient city of Moenjo-Daro a. shows a gridiron system of street layout. b. reveals the existence of a large, prosperous middle class. c. had a well-established city sanitation system. * d. All of the above Page 33-34 12. The pattern of Chinese cities a. is very similar to that of Egyptian cities. * b. is more diffused than in other areas. c. reveals the concentration of priests, rulers, craftpeople and traders within the city walls. d. All of the above Page 35 13. In Mesoamerica, a. cities were farming centers. * b. at the beginning, only few people resided permanently in the cities. c. cities were political rather than religious centers. d. cities never supported populations larger than 20,000. Page 35 14. Greek cities a. were more egalitarian than earlier cities in the Near East. b. had commercial ties across Southern Europe. c. experienced a destructive war among themselves. * d. All of the above Page 38 15. The Roman civilization was a. based on Christianity. * b. based on the expression of militaristic power. c. based on principles of moderation. d. based on the democratic principle of human participation. Page 38 16. Following the collapse of the Roman Empire, cities in Europe a. experienced a new rapid growth. * b. became smaller or disappeared. c. grew steadily. d. began to trade more regularly. Page 40 17. The revival of cities during the 11th century is explained by a. the Crusades. b. the emergence of a class of merchants. c. the increase in trade and specialization. * d. All of the above Page 40 18. Renaissance humanists saw cities as * a. ideal places for human development. b. dangerous and unhealthy. c. necessary but problematic. d. centers of religious life. Page 43 19. Medieval cities, circa 1350, include all but which one of the following? * a. gridiron streets b. defensive walls c. the fortress of the local lord d. a market plaza Page 42 20. The Black Plague a. began in 1253. * b. killed at least one-fourth of the European population. c. had a more devastating effect in rural areas. d. None of the above Page 44 21. A demographic transition refers to a. the fact that women began to have more children. b. the fact that families became smaller. * c. the fact that birth rates remained high while death rates decreased dramatically. d. a rapid decline in birth rates combined with urban migration. Page 44 22. London emerged as a. a Greek city-state. * b. a Roman outpost. c. the political center of Great Britain. d. a ship-building center. Page 53 23. London became a world city during the 16th century because of all but which of the following? a. the discovery of the Americas b. its efficient sailing fleet c. its wool production * d. its infrastructure Page 48 True/False 24. Cities have always been a part of human history. (F) Page 24 25. The emergence of the first cities occurred some 10,000 years ago. (T) Page 24 26. The first permanent settlements promoted specialization of tasks. (T) Page 25 27. The idea of the city took hold around 7,000 B.C.E. (F) Page 30 28. The first city-states emerged in Mesopotamia. (T) Page 31 29. In Catal Hüyük, house entrances were on the roof to protect the household from floods and wild animals. (T) Page 27 30. In Mesopotamia, all early cities were ruled by a military ruler. (F) Page 31 31. The Egyptians encircled their cities with high protective walls. (F) Page 32 32. Egyptian cities are characterized by social inequality. (T) Page 32 33. Tensions between pharaohs divided Egypt into many independent areas. (F) Page 32 34. Cities in the Indus region reveal a more egalitarian lifestyle than Egyptian cities. (T) Pages 33- 34 35. Moenjo-Daro was built on a gridiron pattern. (T) Page 33 36. Central American cities emerged as ceremonial centers. (T) Page 35 37. Both Roman and Greek cities magnified military power at the expense of their other citizens. (F) Page 38 38. At its height, the Roman Empire included almost half of the world’s population. (T) Page 39 39. During the Middle Ages, many people gathered to cities to seek protection from barbarians. (F) Page 40 40. The Church was a central component of social life during medieval times. (T) Page 42 41. The Renaissance movement first emerged in Italian city-states such as Florence, Venice, Palermo, and Milan. (T) Page 43 42. In the pre-industrial era, life expectancy was typically under 40 years. (T) Page 44 43. The spread of activities to British colonies decreased the economic importance of London. (F) Page 49 Essay/Discussion 44. What are the factors that facilitate the growth of cities over time? Think about the physical, social, economic, political and other possible factors. 45. Compare and contrast life in an early city with life in a modern city. 46. Using an early city as an example, discuss the validity of conceptualizing history as “progress.”