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. Territorial claims and disputes over navigation rights of which of the following territories between Iran and Iraq was the main factor for the Iraq-Iran War?
[A] Abu Musa
[B] Zubarah
[C] Murair
[D] Shatt al-Arab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Shatt al-Arab]
Notes:
The Shatt al-Arab waterway was the main factor in the Iran-Iraq War. The Shatt al-Arab is formed by the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The southern end of the river forms the border between Iran and Iraq. The Shatt al-Arab was an important channel for oil exports for both countries. The dispute over the Shatt al-Arab lasted from 1936 until 1975. Iran rejected the demarcation line established in the Anglo-Ottoman Convention of Constantinople of November 1913. Iran wanted the border to run along the thalweg, the deepest point of the navigable channel. The Iran-Iraq War lasted from September 1980 until August 1988. The war was also called the First Persian Gulf War or the Imposed War in Iran.
2. With which among the following countries, Egypt formed a state called theUnited Arab Republic in the late 1950s?
[A] Turkey
[B] Syria
[C] Libya
[D] Jordan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Syria]
Notes:
Egypt and Syria formed the United Arab Republic (UAR) in 1958. The UAR was a sovereign state that was intended to be the first step toward a pan-Arab union. The union was short-lived, ending in 1961 when Syria seceded. Egypt continued to be known as the United Arab Republic until 1971. The UAR was formed as a single political unit with Gamal Abd al-Nasser as its president. Nasser gave each province two vice-presidents. The provisional constitution of 1958 was adopted. The United States recognized the UAR on February 25, 1958.
3. Which nation’s army unit was the “Caravan of Death”?
[A] Iraq
[B] Libya
[C] Chile
[D] Cuba
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chile]
Notes:
The Caravan of Death was the Chilean army death squad during the 1970s. It was largely in action following the Chilean Coup of 1973. This death squad targeted the country’s communist and opposition leaders. This death squad was sanctioned by the then ruler of Chile Augusto Pinochet.
4. Which of the following was a central part of the Egyptian religion?
[A] the pharaohs
[B] the afterlife
[C] the pyramids
[D] the heavens
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [the afterlife]
Notes:
The concept of afterlife was a central part of the Egyptian religion. The Egyptian religious doctrines contained three afterlife ideologies, i.e., belief in an underworld, eternal life, and rebirth of the soul.
5. The Zhou dynasty ruled china during which of the following period?
[A] 221-206 BC
[B] 1046-256 BC
[C] 206 BCE-220 AD
[D] 1600-1050 BC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1046-256 BC]
Notes:
The Zhou dynasty was the longest dynasty in the history of China which ruled the region for almost 8 centuries. The Zhou dynasty ruled from 1046 B. C. E. to 256 B. C. E.
6. 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.
7. Which of the following were the two main cities of ancient Greece?
[A] Rome and Alexandira
[B] Sparta and Athens
[C] Cornith and Olympia
[D] Thebes and Argos
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sparta and Athens]
Notes:
Athens was the pioneer city-state of the Greek civilization that contributed much to the culture of ancient Greece. Sparta was another city-state of Greece located in the province of Laconia.
8. Which of the following was the first Roman emperor?
[A] Julian
[B] Augustus
[C] Tiberius
[D] Epicurus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Augustus]
Notes:
Augustus was the first Roman emperor. He was a Roman statesman and a military leader who became the first emperor of the Roman Empire. He reigned from 27 BC until his death in AD 14.
9. Which of the following ransacked Rome 455 A.D.?
[A] Huns
[B] Vandals
[C] Visigoths
[D] Byzantines
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Visigoths]
Notes:
Rome was ransacked by the Vandals in 455 A.D. While the Vandals did sack Rome, they spared most of the city’s inhabitants and did not burn down its buildings.
10. Which of the following succeeded Abu Bakr?
[A] Ali
[B] Husayn
[C] Omar
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Omar]
Notes:
The Caliph Omar succeeded Abu Bakr in 634 A.D. He was Mohammed’s brother-in-law and with his efforts, he conquered Syria, Egypt, Persia and spread Islam there. He also occupied Jerusalem.