7th grade · Social Studies · Unit 2 of 11
The Islamic World
Scholars, cities and empires
What your child practices
The early Islamic world and its cities, scholars and discoveries (such as algebra and optics), the exchange of knowledge through trade and translation, and the Ottoman Empire.
Oregon State Standards learning standard: 6/7.H.CP.14; 6/7.H.CC.5 · the Islamic world after 600 CE and its exchanges of ideas with other cultures
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
The numerals 0 to 9 used today are often called…
- Egyptian symbols
- Mayan glyphs
- Roman numerals
- Hindu-Arabic numerals
Hindu-Arabic numerals
Hint: They began in India and were spread by Arabic-speaking scholars.
Question 2
Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen) made important discoveries in…
- chemistry of fire
- optics, the science of light and vision
- farming
- mining
optics, the science of light and vision
Hint: He used experiments to show that we see because light enters the eye.
Question 3
How did the Hajj help ideas spread?
- It kept people apart.
- Pilgrims from many lands met, shared news and carried ideas home.
- It ended trade.
- Pilgrims were forbidden to speak.
Pilgrims from many lands met, shared news and carried ideas home.
Hint: Travel and meeting new people spread knowledge and goods.
Question 4
What was an astrolabe used for?
- Measuring the positions of the Sun and stars to find time, direction and location
- Making paper
- Grinding grain
- Weaving cloth
Measuring the positions of the Sun and stars to find time, direction and location
Hint: Muslim astronomers improved this instrument, which helped travelers and set times for prayer.
Question 5
Fatima al-Fihri founded the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez in 859. Why is it notable?
- It taught only farming.
- It was a castle.
- It was built in Spain.
- It is often described as one of the oldest universities still operating.
It is often described as one of the oldest universities still operating.
Hint: Education in the Islamic world included women as founders, learners and teachers.
Question 6
Arabic became widely used for learning across the early Islamic world. How did this help ideas spread?
- Scholars from many regions could read and share the same texts.
- It banned trade.
- Nobody could read Arabic.
- It stopped translation.
Scholars from many regions could read and share the same texts.
Hint: A shared language of scholarship made it easier to exchange books and ideas.