Question and Answer Bank

3rd Grade

SOL 3.1: History

What styles in architecture used today came from ancient Greece and Rome? / Ancient Greek and Roman architectural styles used today include columns (Greece: the Parthenon), and arches (Rome: the Colosseum and aqueducts).
What is an example of Greek architecture still present today? / The Parthenon
What is an example of Roman architecture still present today? / The Colosseum and aqueducts
What principles of government from ancient Greece and Rome are part of our government? / The government is based on the ideas developed in ancient Greece and Rome.
Greece: Birthplace of democracy (government by the people); a direct democracy.
Rome: Republican (representative) form of government; a representative democracy.
What sporting events came from ancient Greece? / The Olympic games of today are modeled after the games of the ancient Greece.
What is a contribution? / The act of giving or doing something
What is a direct democracy? / A government in which people vote to make their own rules and laws
What is a representative democracy? / A government in which people vote for (elect) a smaller group of citizens to make their rules and laws for everyone
What is a republican form of government? / A representative democracy
Where is the birthplace of democracy? / Ancient Greece is the birthplace of democracy.
What examples of Greek and Roman art were used in the construction of buildings? / Examples of the arts include mosaics, sculpture, and paintings displayed on buildings
SOL 3.2: History
Where was the home of the empire of Mali? / Africa
Why were storytellers so important in the empire of Mali? / Many storytellers in Mali passed on traditions and stories from one generation to the next.
What do we know about the leaders of the empire of Mali? / The kings of Mali were rich and powerful men who controlled trade in West Africa. Mali became one of the largest and wealthiest empires in the region and was an important trade center.
Why was the empire of Mali so wealthy? / Mali lay between the trade routes between the sources of salt in the SaharaDesert and the gold region/mines of West Africa. Salt was traded for gold.
How did the people of the desert use salt? / The people of the desert used salt for their health and for preserving foods.
Why was Timbuktu an important city in Mali? / Timbuktu was important because it had a famous university with a large library containing Greek and Roman books.
SOL 3.3: History
Who were some of the important European explorers from Spain, England, and France? / Some important European explorers include Christopher Columbus, Juan Ponce de Leon, Jacques Cartier, and Christopher Newport.
What is an explorer? / An explorer is a person who travels seeking new discoveries.
Who is a European? / A European is a person from one of the countries in Europe
What country sponsored Christopher Columbus? / Spain
What country sponsored Juan Ponce de Leon? / Spain
What country sponsored Jacques Cartier? / France
What country sponsored Christopher Newport? / England
What motivated Christopher Columbus’ explorations? / Columbus wanted to find a western sea route to Asia.
What motivated Juan Ponce de Leon’s explorations? / Ponce de Leon wanted to discover riches and land to conquer.
What motivated Jacques Cartier’s explorations? / Cartier wanted to colonize the New World.
What motivated Christopher Newport’s explorations? / Newport wanted to discover riches, find a western sea route to Asia, and to colonize Virginia.
What success did Christopher Columbus find in his explorations? / Columbus was the first European to discover a sea route to America; he discovered the “New World” (landed at San Salvador).
What success did Juan Ponce de Leon find in his explorations? / Ponce de Leon was the first European to land in Florida (near St. Augustine); he gave Spain claim to Florida.
What success did Jacques Cartier find in his explorations? / Cartier explored the St. Lawrence RiverValley (near Quebec, Canada) and gave France a North American claim.
What success did Christopher Newport find in his explorations? / Newport arrived at present day Jamestown; made four additional voyages bringing more people to Jamestown; was one of the first men to reach to Fall Line of the James River.
SOL 3.4: Geography
Where was ancient Greece located? / Ancient Greece was located on land near the Mediterranean Sea.
Where was ancient Rome located? / Ancient Rome was located on land near the Mediterranean Sea.
Where was the ancient empire of Mali located? / The empire of Mali was located in the western region of the continent of Africa?
What are characteristics? / Characteristics are different traits.
What were the physical characteristics of ancient Greece? / Located among mountains and hills, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and limited rich soil
What were the physical characteristics of ancient Rome? / Located next to a river; city built on many hills; limited rich soil
What were the physical characteristics of the empire of Mali? / Located in West Africa; near rivers; desert-like conditions; gold mines
What were some human characteristics of ancient Greece? / Farmers, shipbuilders, and traders
What were some human characteristics of ancient Rome? / Farmers, road builders, and traders
What were some human characteristics of the empire of Mali? / Farmers, miners, and traders
How did the people of ancient Greece adapt to their environment? / The ancient Greeks farmed on hillsides; trading took place on the Mediterranean Sea; small independent communities developed because of the many mountains.
How did the people of ancient Rome adapt to their environment? / The ancient Romans farmed on hillsides; trading took place on the Mediterranean Sea.
How did the people of the Empire of Mali adapt to their environment? / Salt was an important natural resource for people in the desert; salt was traded for gold.
SOL 3.5: Geography
Where are the seven continents and four oceans located on a world map? / The physical shapes on the continents (North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, Antarctica) and the positions of the four oceans (Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific) may be identified on a world map.
What imaginary lines are used to create hemispheres? / The equator and the prime meridian are used to create the four hemispheres.
What is a hemisphere? / A hemisphere is half of a sphere (globe) created by the prime meridian or the equator.
What is the equator? / The equator is an imaginary line around the middle of the Earth that divides the globe into the northern and southern hemispheres.
What is the prime meridian? / The prime meridian is an imaginary line that divides the globe into the eastern and western hemispheres.
What are regions? / Regions are places that have common characteristics.
On which continent is the country of England located? / Europe
On which continent is the country of Spain located? / Europe
On which continent is the country of France located? / Europe
On which continent is the United States located? / North America
Where is the region of San Salvador? / San Salvador is located in the general region of the Bahamas.
Where is the region of St. Augustine? / St. Augustine is located in southern Florida.
Where is the region of Quebec? / Quebec is located in Canada.
Where is the region of Jamestown located? / Jamestown is located in Virginia.
How is a simple letter-number grid system used to locate places on maps? / The letter (left) and number (bottom) coordinates of a grid system identify the exact location of a place.
SOL 3.6: Geography
What visual aids are used to gather and classify information? / Maps, tables, graphs, charts and pictures are visual aids used to gather and classify geographic information.
SOL 3.7: Economics
How do producers use natural, human, and capital resources to produce goods and services? / Resources are used to produce goods and services. Producers of goods and services are influenced by natural, human, and capital resources.
What are natural resources? / Natural resources are materials that come from nature (water, soil, wood, coal).
What are human resources? / Human resources are people working to produce goods and services.
What are capital resources? / Capital resources are goods made by people and used to produce other goods and services (machines, tools, buildings).
What are producers? / Producers are people who use resources to make goods and/or services.
What are goods? / Goods are things that people make or use to satisfy needs and wants.
What are services? / Services are activities that satisfy people’s needs and wants.
SOL 3.8: Economics
What is economic specialization? / Economic specialization is focusing on one product or service
What is economic interdependence? / Economic interdependence is two or more people depending on each other for goods and services
When does economic specialization occur? / Economic specialization occurs when people focus on the production of selected kinds of goods and services.
What is an example of economic specialization from Ancient Greece and Rome? / Ancient Greece and Rome both focused on building ships, farming, and making pottery.
What is an example of economic interdependence from Ancient Greece and Rome? / Ancient Greece and Rome traded their goods with Egypt and other nearby communities.
What is an example of economic specialization from the empire of Mali? / In the empire of Mali, some people specialized in protecting the empire, while others specialized in growing food for the empire.
What is an example of economic interdependence from the empire of Mali? / The people of Mali traded (gold for salt) with other people.
What is an example of economic specialization from Virginia? / Virginia is known for its expertise in shipbuilding.
What is an example of economic interdependence from Virginia? / Virginia sells its coal to other countries but depends on other countries for oil.
SOL 3.9: Economics
Why does an economic choice involve giving up something else? / All choices require giving up something.
What is an economic choice? / An economic choice is the choice of or decision among alternatives or possibilities.
What is opportunity cost? / Opportunity cost is the next best choice that is given up when a decision is made.
What does economic decision-making require? / Economic decision-making requires comparing both the opportunity cost and the monetary cost of choices with benefits.
SOL 3.10: Civics
What is government? / Government is a group of people who make rules and laws, carry out rules and laws, and decide if rules and laws have been broken.
What are the basic purposes of government? / The purpose of government is to make laws, carry out laws, and decide if laws have been broken.
Why is government necessary? / Governments are necessary because they develop the laws and protect the rights and property of individuals.
What is a community? / A community is a place where people live, work, and play.
What are rules? / Rules are what people must or must not do.
What are laws? / Laws are rules people live by.
What is the purpose of rules? / The purpose of rules is to let people know how they should act or behave.
SOL 3.11: Civics
What are some basic principles commonly held by American citizens? / Some basic principles held by Americans are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
This includes equality under the law.
These are privileges that people are born with and that cannot be taken away.
What is equality under the law? / Equality under the law means that all people are treated fairly.
How did George Washington work to defend American principles? / He was born in Virginia. He was a farmer. He became a brave leader of soldiers. He was first President of the United States, the new nation. He is known as the “Father of Our Country.” He worked under the new republican form of government. He helped put the basic principles into practice for the new nation.
How did Thomas Jefferson work to defend American principles? / He was born in Virginia. He was the third President of the United States. He wrote the Declaration of Independence, which states that people have certain rights. He was a leader who helped develop the country.
How did Abraham Lincoln work to defend American principles? / He was born in a log cabin. He taught himself how to read. He was often called “Honest Abe.” He was the United States President when the country was divided over the issue of equality for all people. He was the President of the United States who helped free the African American slaves.
How did Rosa Parks work to defend American principles? / She is an African American woman who refused to give up her seat on a public bus as was required by law many years ago. She helped to bring about changes in laws and worked so that all people would have equal rights.
How did Thurgood Marshall work to defend American principles? / He was a lawyer who defended people at a time when not all people had equal rights. He was the first African American justice of the United States Supreme Court.
How did Martin Luther King, Jr. work to defend American principles? / He was an African American minister who worked so that all people would be treated fairly. He led peaceful marches and gave speeches. He worked for equal rights for all people. He helped bring about changes in laws through peaceful means.
Why do we recognize Veteran’s Day? / Veteran’s Day is a day for the recognition of and respect for Americans who served in the military. It is observed in November.
Why do we recognize Memorial Day? / Memorial Day is a day for the recognition of and respect for Americans who died in wars while they were serving their country. It is observed in May.
SOL 3.12: Civics
What unites the people of the United States? / The American people come from different ethnic origins and different countries, but are united by the basic principles of a republican form of government, including individual rights to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and equality under the law.
What is a republican form of government? / A republican form of government is a representative democracy.
What are some benefits of diversity in the United States? / Some of the benefits of diversity include:
Food
Clothing
Music
2nd Grade
SOL 2.1: History
What contributions did the people of ancient China make to the development of written language? / The ancient Chinese created a written language of characters and symbols.
What contributions did the people of ancient Egypt make to the development of written language? / The ancient Egyptians created a written language called hieroglyphics.
What inventions came from ancient China? / Kite, silk cloth, compass, bronze, fireworks
What inventions came from ancient Egypt? / Paper made from papyrus, 365-day calendar, clock
What example of architecture from ancient China is still present today? / The Great Wall
What example of architecture from ancient Egypt is still present today? / The Pyramids
What does ancient mean? / Ancient means long, long ago.
What is architecture? / Architecture is the design of buildings.
What is a contribution? / A contribution is the act of giving or doing something.
What can we say about many inventions of ancient China and Egypt? / Many inventions of ancient China and Egypt are still used today.

SOL 2.2: History

In what ways were the American Indians (First Americans) in Virginia like and different from the Sioux and Pueblo Indians? / Alike: Occupations – the Powhatans and Sioux were hunters; the Powhatans and Pueblo were farmers; transportation – the Powhatans, Sioux and Pueblo walked.
Different: lived in different regions; different homes: Powhatan (wood and bark houses), Sioux (teepees), Pueblo (multi-story buildings made of adobe); occupations: Powhatan (fisherman, farmers), Sioux (horsemen, warriors); transportation: Powhatan (paddled canoes), Sioux (used horses)
Who were some of the American Indians (First Americans) who lived in Virginia and in other regions of the United States? /

Some American Indians included the Powhatan (Eastern Woodlands), the Sioux (Plains), and the Pueblo (southwest).

What are regions? / Regions are places that have common (the same) characteristics.
Which American Indian group lived in the Eastern Woodlands? /

Powhatan

Which American Indian group lived on the Plains? /

Sioux

Which American Indian group lived in the southwest? / Pueblo
What were Powhatan homes made of? / Wood and bark
What type of home did the Plains Indian live in? / Teepee
What type of home did the Pueblo Indians live in? / Multi-story terraced buildings made of adobe.