World History MCQs
World History Multiple Choice Quiz Questions (MCQs) on Ancient World History, Medieval World History and Modern World History for various UPSC, PCS and other Competitive Examinations.
1. Bandung Conference which was an important step toward the crystallization of the Non-Aligned Movement was organized by Asian and African states, most of which were newly independent. Which among the following participant of the Bandung Conference in 1955, was not an independent state at that time?
[A] Ceylon
[B] Cyprus
[C] Laos
[D] Liberia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cyprus]
Notes:
Please note that Cyprus got independence in 1960, after an agreement in Zurich and London between the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey
2. From which one of the following nations Armenia got its independence in 1991?
[A] United Kingdom
[B] Portugal
[C] Soviet Union
[D] Netherlands
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Soviet Union]
Notes:
Armenia became independent in 1991 during the dissolution of Soviet Union. On 21 September 1991, Armenians voted a referendum favouring independence of Armenia from the Soviet Union or USSR. Armenia gained independence formally on 26 December 1991.
3. Which of the following civilizations flourished between the rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates?
[A] Mesopotamian Civilization
[B] Harrapan Civilization
[C] Chinese Civilization
[D] Egyptian Civilization
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mesopotamian Civilization ]
Notes:
The ancient Mesopotamian points to the land between the rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates. Its modern name is Iraq. The civilization flourished here almost at the same time with the Egyptian civilization.
4. The Chinese civilization flourished in the flat rich land drained by which of the following rivers?
1) The Hwang-ho
2) The Yang-tse-kiang
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 & 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:
Like other river valley civilizations, the Chinese civilization also flourished in the flat rich land through which flowed the two great rivers – the Hwang ho and the Yang tse kiang.
5. The Qin dynasty ruled during which of the following period?
[A] 206 BCE-220 AD
[B] 386-589 AD
[C] 221-206 BC
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [221-206 BC]
Notes:
The Qin dynasty was the first dynasty of Imperial China which ruled China from 221 to 206 BC. It marked the beginning of the Chinese Empire. During the reign of this dynasty, China was greatly expanded to cover the Ye lands of Hunan and Guangdong.
6. Which of the following civilizations invented Tea?
[A] Greek
[B] Chinese
[C] English
[D] French
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chinese]
Notes:
According to Chinese legend, the history of tea began in 2737 B.C.E. The Emperor Shen Nong accidentally discovered Tea when a leaf from an overhanging wild tea tree drifted into his pot of boiling water.
7. Which of the following was also known as Mycenaean civilization?
[A] Mesopotamian
[B] Greek
[C] Chinese
[D] Harappan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Greek]
Notes:
Greek civilization was named after the legendary king Minos of Crete (Minoan Civilization). Sometimes it was referred to as Mycenaean civilization, after a city called Mycenae, which the Cretans had built.
8. Which of the following was main occupation of ancient Greeks?
[A] Agriculture
[B] Sea Trade
[C] Mining
[D] Animal Rearing
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sea Trade ]
Notes:
The Greek civilization was quite prosperous and the people of this Aegean civilization used the Cuneiform and pictorial writings of the Sumerians and Egyptians. Sea-trade was their main occupation.
9. Which of the following wrote ‘Iliad’ and the ‘Odyssey’ ?
[A] Herodotus
[B] Sappho
[C] Homer
[D] Hesoid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Homer]
Notes:
Homer wrote the ‘Iliad’ and the ‘Odyssey’ in the 7th century B.C. The subject matter of ‘Iliad’ is the Spartan victory over Troy after a decade-long war, as well as the exploits of their legendary hero, Achilles whereas the ‘Odyssey’ describes the adventurous return journey of Odysseus from Troy.
10. Which of the following was the name of the river on which Rome was founded?
[A] Rubicon
[B] Forum
[C] Romulus
[D] Tiber
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Tiber]
Notes:
Tiber was the name of the river on which Rome was founded. Tiber is the third-longest river in Italy and the longest river in Central Italy.