Geography and Economy of Ancient Rome
INSTRUCTIONS
Check your understanding with this practice assessment. Highlight the best answer.
1) Which factor contributed most to the development of Rome's early trade ties with North Africa?
A) production of spices and silk
B) large agricultural food surpluses
C) nearby supplies of gold and silver
D) proximity to important shipping lanes
2) Which factor most contributed to the early success of Roman agriculture?
A) a mild climate
B) annual flooding
C) government-run farms
D) advanced farming methods
3) What impact did the climate of central Italy have on Rome's development?
A) It lengthened the military campaign season, which made rapid conquest easier.
B) It fostered tropical diseases, which promoted rapid medical and scientific advancements.
C) It helped farmers produce a consistent supply of food, which enabled the economy to diversify.
D) It made it easy to grow spices but hard to grow food crops, which contributed to the need to establish trade.
4) How did the Romans advance the system of coins first introduced by the Lydians?
A) They made coins heavy enough to make them hard to steal.
B) They produced coins in a way that made them harder to counterfeit.
C) They minted coins in different denominations with a set value for each.
D) They signed trade agreements so that their coins would be used more widely.
5) What effect did the Alps have on Rome?
A) They funneled European trade routes directly into Rome.
B) They limited Rome's connections with other European peoples.
C) They made travel across the Italian Peninsula difficult.
D) They provided runoff that ensured Rome an adequate water supply.
6) The Roman Empire began with a settlement in which location?
A) the middle of Italy
B) the Euphrates River valley
C) the mountains of central Europe
D) the eastern coast the Mediterranean Sea
7) Which of these groups benefited the most from the extensive system of roads and bridges built throughout the Roman Empire?
A) foreign invaders
B) religious missionaries
C) merchants and traders
D) farmers and domestic workers
8) At one point, the Roman Empire controlled the entire
A) Southwest Asian desert
B) Iberian Peninsula
C) European continent
D) Central Asian steppe
9) Which statement best explains how Rome’s proximity to the Tiber River delta contributed to its prosperity?
A) Rome was close enough to use the river to import grain from nearby civilizations, but far enough away to avoid damage from routine flooding.
B) Rome was close enough to use the river to irrigate fields, but too far to use it as a reliable source of travel.
C) Rome was close enough to use the river for access to the sea, but too far to use the river for agricultural purposes.
D) Rome was close enough to use the river for agriculture and trade, but far enough away to be protected from foreign invasion.
10) Roman coins typically included images of
A) emperors and gods
B) major military victories
C) scenes from faraway places
D) governmental buildings and temples
11) The growth of the Roman population as the empire expanded produced which of these problems?
A) deadly communicable diseases
B) reliance on foreign grain
C) deepening religious conflict
D) political turmoil in the provinces
12) The network of roads in the Roman Empire most directly helped the Roman government address which question?
A) How can we ensure an adequate food supply for the city?
B) How can we protect borders that are thousands of miles long?
C) How can we put former soldiers to work so they will not pose a threat?
D) How can we control trade between our population and foreign peoples?
13) The location of Rome made which activity an important part of its early economy?
A) trade
B) fishing
C) shipbuilding
D) ironworking
14) An archaeologist finding a Roman coin in India most likely indicates that
A) Roman trade networks reached all the way to India
B) Roman ambassadors signed treaties with Indian rulers
C) the Roman Empire controlled India for a period of time
D) the Roman army attempted to invade India at one point
15)What did you like about the Techbook method of reading/listening from the computer?
16)What did you dislike about the Techbook?
17)Did you like the short videos or do you prefer longer videos?
18)Would you like to have your textbook and all material available from any computer?
19)Would you rather have a traditional textbook?
20)Do you prefer to work on a computer or on paper for assignments?