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UPSC CDS Ancient Civilisations — practice questions

Explore 30 free Ancient Civilisations questions in UPSC CDS History. Open each question or exercise to read its content, reference answers and available explanation.

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Ancient Civilisations questions and exercises with answers

Showing questions 1–30 of 30.

Columbus, sponsored by the rulers of Spain, sailed west in which year?Read the answer and worked solution →The Inca city of Machu Picchu was rediscovered in which year?Read the answer and worked solution →The Arawakian Lucayos lived on a cluster of islands known today as the:Read the answer and worked solution →Which fierce tribe had expelled the Arawaks from the Lesser Antilles?Read the answer and worked solution →Which Arawak weaving speciality captured the imagination of Europeans?Read the answer and worked solution →The name Brazil is derived from:Read the answer and worked solution →The Aztecs made artificial islands in Lake Mexico called:Read the answer and worked solution →The Aztec capital Tenochtitlan was built in which year?Read the answer and worked solution →Children of the Aztec nobility attended which school?Read the answer and worked solution →The Mayas devised which form of writing?Read the answer and worked solution →The first Inca, Manco Capac, set his capital at:Read the answer and worked solution →At its peak the Inca empire stretched 3,000 miles from Ecuador to:Read the answer and worked solution →Every Inca subject was required to speak which court language?Read the answer and worked solution →The Inca accounting system of cords with knots was the:Read the answer and worked solution →Prince Henry the Navigator's Portugal attacked Ceuta in which year?Read the answer and worked solution →Columbus's expedition set sail from the port of Palos on:Read the answer and worked solution →Which ship did Columbus himself command?Read the answer and worked solution →Columbus sighted the island of Guanahani on:Read the answer and worked solution →The two American continents were named after which Florentine geographer?Read the answer and worked solution →Cortes's interpreter, fluent in three local languages, was:Read the answer and worked solution →Which Inca ruler did Pizarro capture in 1532 and execute despite a roomful of gold?Read the answer and worked solution →The Spanish silver mines of Potosi lie in which modern country?Read the answer and worked solution →Catch the explorersRead the answer and worked solution →Pop the American peoplesRead the answer and worked solution →Run the voyage datesRead the answer and worked solution →Slice the Aztec wordsRead the answer and worked solution →Aztec or IncaRead the answer and worked solution →Sort the regionsRead the answer and worked solution →Type the numberRead the answer and worked solution →New World bingoRead the answer and worked solution →

Worked practice questions

Columbus, sponsored by the rulers of Spain, sailed west in which year?

  1. 1492
  2. 1498
  3. 1500
  4. 1521
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Correct answer: A. 1492

1. He thought he had reached the Indies. 2. He sailed in 1492. 3. He had read Marco Polo's Travels. _Source: syllabus Themes in World History, Theme 8, Confrontation of Cultures._

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The Inca city of Machu Picchu was rediscovered in which year?

  1. 1901
  2. 1911
  3. 1811
  4. 1921
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Correct answer: B. 1911

1. The Spaniards never noticed it. 2. It was found again in 1911. 3. Aerial photos have since shown forest-covered cities. _Source: syllabus Themes in World History, Theme 8, Confrontation of Cultures._

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The Arawakian Lucayos lived on a cluster of islands known today as the:

  1. Bahamas
  2. Bermuda
  3. Hawaii
  4. Canaries
Show answer and solution

Correct answer: A. Bahamas

1. They also lived in the Greater Antilles. 2. The islands are the Bahamas. 3. They preferred negotiation to conflict. _Source: syllabus Themes in World History, Theme 8, Confrontation of Cultures._

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