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. Which country was known as Gold Coast in past?
[A] Burkina Faso
[B] Togo
[C] Ghana
[D] Mali
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ghana]
Notes:
Gold Coast was a region in West Africa that is now known as the country Ghana. The region was named the Gold Coast because of its large supplies of gold and the market for it during the transatlantic slave trade. The Gold Coast was also a trade hub for slaves.
The Portuguese named the area Mina, which means “mine”, after finding so much gold between the Ankobra and Volta rivers in the 15th century. The English colonists later adopted the name Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast was a British colony. In 1957, the Gold Coast gained independence from Britain and became the country Ghana. Kwame Nkrumah led the independence movement and became Ghana’s first prime minister and president.
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 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. Who said “Egypt is the gift of Nile”?
[A] Herodotus
[B] Sallust
[C] Aristotle
[D] Arrian
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Herodotus]
Notes:
Herodotus had said that “Egypt is the gift of the Nile.” The Egyptian Civilization began to flourish almost about 10,000 B.C. in the fertile valley of river Nile. The Egyptians worshiped Nile as God.
5. Which of the following had invented a type of water-clock to measure time?
[A] Sumerians
[B] Assyrian
[C] Akkadian
[D] Babylonian
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sumerians]
Notes:
The Sumerians invented a type of water-clock which was used to measure time. They counted their twelve months of the year by observing the decrease and increase in the shadow of the moon.
6. At which of the following places, the Assyrians, who were group of Semites became powerful?
1) Assur
2) Nineveh
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:
Before the downfall of the Sumerian empire, the Assyrians who were the group of Semites became powerful in the areas of Assur and Nineveh. They occupied Babylone in 1100 B. C.
7. 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.
8. Which of the following was the new building material discovered by Romans?
[A] Bricks
[B] Marble
[C] Concrete
[D] Iron
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Concrete]
Notes:
The new building material discovered by Romans was concrete. Roman concrete was also called opus caementicium. It was a material used in construction in Ancient Rome and was based on a hydraulic-setting cement.
9. Which of the following officially adopted Christianity as the official religion of Rome?
[A] Constantine
[B] Nero
[C] Theodosius the Great
[D] Jesus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Constantine]
Notes:
During the reign of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great who ruled from 306 A.D. to 337 A.D., Christianity began to expand. He accepted the Christian faith and became its chief patron in his time.
10. Which of the following was one of the earliest findings of prince Henry’s mariners?
[A] Azores
[B] Canaries
[C] Madeira
[D] Cape of good hope
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Madeira]
Notes:
Portuguese sailors were the first who ventured out into the Atlantic Ocean and discovered the Azores and the Canaries in the fourteenth century. Madeira was one of the earliest findings of prince Henry’s mariners in 1420.
