Download Test Through Post-Classic Sample Test Directions: The questions in

Test Through Post-Classic
Sample Test
Directions: The questions in this test bank cover material contained in your class notes and textbook. For each question,
select your answer and verify its correctness by locating the information in these two sources. When you have completed
the questions, check your answers. Any errors should be thoroughly reviewed, and misunderstandings cleared either by
participating in a study group, asking questions in class, or making an appointment with your instructor. This exercise is
designed to help you master the material, and it makes no sense to misuse it by not thinking through all the questions and
modifying your learning techniques if necessary.
1. The tonalamatl functioned as A. The traditional form of an Aztec codex B. The morning sacrifice by which the rising
sun was nourished C. The 260 day ritual and augural calendar that controlled ceremonies E Symbols of butterflies
for warriors, and crossed bones and skeletons as death imagery
2. Pre-Columbian codices from the Post-Classic period in Mexico are primarily by the Mixtecs and Aztecs. Which of the
following is NOT correct? A. The scribes who wrote the codices were meticulously accurate in their genealogical
details B. Mixtec and Aztec codex style was used in other art forms like vase painting and sculpture C Aztec pictorial
conventions continue the tradition of the murals of Teotihuacan and Mixtec manuscript painting D. Ritual PreColumbian codices focused on properly conducting ceremonies demanded by the gods
3. The chacmool, coatepantli wall, inverted serpent columns and atlantean figures reflect the ____________ themes at
__________________
A. Agricultural..............Mitla
B. Jaguar cult..............LaVenta
C. Serpent Cult............Tenochtitlan
D. War-like__________Tula
E. Butterfly warrior.......Teotihuacan
4. Which of the following DOES NOT BELONG with the others? A. Montezuma B. Coatlique C. Xolotl D Coyolxuahqui
E. Xochipili
5. The decline of the Toltecs at Tula, according to legend, began when rival factions caused internal strife and one leader
left on a journey to the “land of the red and the black.” Who was this leader? A. Montezuma I B. Topiltzin
Quetzalcoatl C. Huemac D. Ahuitzotl E Fernan Cortez
6. The Aztecs probably learned gold and feather work, codex painting and fine details in sculpture from the A. Mayans
B. Olmecs C. Toltecs D. Mixtecs E. None of these
7. Which is NOT a characteristic of Mixtec architecture? A. Internally organized spaces B. Pageant-oriented spaces
C. sought seclusion D. Buildings occupied on the inside
8. Which of the following were adapted by the Toltecs from Teotihuacan? A. Admiration for Quetzalcoatl B Reliefs of
predatory animals such as jaguars, eagles, buzzards C. Butterflies symbolizing warriors D. Crossed bones and
skeletons E. A and C only
9. Which of the following DOES NOT pertain to the city of Tenochtitlan? A. Focal point was the temple precinct
B. Architecture emphasized height and a rapid rise to the sky C. Entire city bisected by major avenues D. Built upon
agricultural engineering techniques using chinampas E. All of these pertain
10. Some functions of Aztec sculpture were A. To act as written communication B. To enrich tools and instruments
C. To serve as art for art’s sake D. All of these E. A and B only
11. The central rite of Aztec life was A. Marriage B. Passage to manhood C. Human sacrifice D. War of the flowers
E. Self-mutilation for penance.
12. Which is NOT part of the Aztecs’ temple architectural formula? A. Pyramidal platforms B. Stairs which face west
C. Twin shrines to rain god and Huitzilopochtli D. Pitch of balustrades that changes at top to form a plinth E. All of
these are part of the formula
13. How can you tell Toltec mosaic work from Mixtec? A. Toltec chips are straight-sided B. Mixtec texture is pebbly from
convex chips C. Mixtec figural designs are large pieces D. Mixtec pieces are cut to fit the desired outline E. All of
these
14. Mixtec codices relate a history going back to around 1000 C.E. Yet archaeological finds confirm a date of around
1300. Classic Zapotec dates end at about 700 C.E. What does your author suggest to fill the gap between 700 and
1000? A. The tombs of Zaachila were built B. The building of Mitla and Yagul started C. The manufacture of
goldwork at Monte Alban began D. All of these
15. Which may NOT be a contributon of Teotihuacan to Toltec civilization? A. Genealogical manuscripts B. Pyramidal
platforms C. Large, open spaces as ritual centers D. Colossal statues E. All of these were Teotihuacan influences
16. The end of Teotihuacan and the rise of Tula were probably brought on by A.The disintegration of the priestly class
B.The need for larger ceremonial centers C.The invention of writing in codices D.The general drought that decimated
the population E.Nomadic waves of tribes moving in on the rich lands of the plateau.
17. The fall of Tula was precipitated by A.The disintegration of the priestly class B.The need for larger ceremonial centers
C.The invention of writing in codices D.The general drought that decimated the population E.Nomadic waves of tribes
moving in on the rich lands of the plateau
18. The six major campaigns for the enlargement of the pyramid of Tenayuca may have been prompted by A.The
conclusion of the 52 year calendrical cycles B.The continuing waves of Chichimec immigrants C.The experiments of
barbarian tribes to create architecture D. AlI of these E.B and C only
19. The principle source used as evidence for Aztec religion is A.The great number of statues B.The extreme elaboration
of costumes and accessories C.The information in codices D.Native informants E.AlI of these
20. T F Aztec pictorial conventions continue the tradition of the murals at Teotihuacan and South Mexican manuscript
painting. The two classes of Aztec picture books are the genealogical sequences and examples of the A. Tonalamatl
or Book of Days B.Strict histories C.Stories of the conquest of the Mexican tribes D.Myths and fairy tales
21. Which may NOT be a contribution of Teotihuacan to Toltec civilization? A.Genealogical manuscripts B.Pyramidal
platforms C.Large, open spaces as ritual centers D.Colossal statues E.All of these were Teotihuacan influences
22. Which of the following IS NOT TRUE about the Coatepantli Wall? A.Central theme of the souls of dead warriors
B.Figural border bands perhaps derived from Mixtec manuscripts C.Crenellated crown of carved stones represent
conch shells D.Unique Toltec architectural form E.Meticulous sculptural craftsmanship throughout
23. How does the Group of the Columns differ from the Church Group and the Arroyo Group? A.It has open corners in
the courts B.It prefers privacy and seclusion C.It has its facades completely covered with paneled friezes of mosaic
fret ornaments, not just the cornice areas D.It has no trace of painted decorative style like Mixtec manuscripts E.All
except B
24. Tula flourished from the ninth to the the thirteenth centuries. This was after_____________ and before__________
A. The Aztecs..................The Maya
B. The Chichimec invasions.................The fall of Teotihuacan
C. The fall of Teotihuacan...................The Chichimec invasions
D. The arrival of the Chichimecs..............The fall of Xochicalco
E. The Maya...................The abandonment of Teotihuacan
25. Tula repeated the architectural style of Teotihuacan EXCEPT for which one of these?
A. Both were fortified cities with protective walls B. Tula like Teotihuacan was a ritual center as well as urban center
C. Both began with building pyramids, then housing D. Dwellings faced a central, shared courtyard E. Both cities had
large artisan quarters
26. From where did the builders of Tula get the idea for Atlantean columns as buiding supports? A. The Aztec capital of
Tenochtitlan B. Mixtec Group of the Church C. Teotihuacan colossal Water Deity D. None of these. They were a
Toltec invention
27. How was the serpent column on Tula’s main cella unique in the history of architecture? A. It was wider at the top than
the bottom B. It used the snake’s flexible body in place of a rigid support C. It was made of wood rather than stone
D. It inverted the head so it became the base E. B and D only
28. Two advantages to the outward lean of the mouldings at Mitla are that it allows light to reflect from the ground up onto
the wall reliefs and A. People don’t need to look up to see them B. Mosaic panels are protected from weather
C. They mimic the step fret designs D. It helps prevent earthquake damage E. It made constructing the mosaics
easier for the artists
29. Kubler describes the earlier style of Mixtec manuscript painting as characterized by “prolixity and redundancy.” What
does prolixity mean? A. Filled with flowing, calligraphic lines B. Tending to be hard-edged and abstract C. Tediously
long–winded, wordy and rambling D. Visually rich with colors verging on the garish E. Narrative with certain figures
repeated to tell the whole story
30. The principle time periods of Mixtec ritual books inclued the 20 day-names, the 260 day augural year, the 18 month
solar year and the A. 584 day Venus year B. The gestation period of corn C. Lunar cycles D. Female menstrual
periods E. None of these
31. The period from the end of Tula to the creation of the Aztec state can be called A. Mitla and Yagul period B. The
Chichimec period C. The early Post-Classic period D. The late Classic period E. The empire period
32. Mixtec polychrome pottery is united by the vessel forms and their A. Thin walls B. Iconogrpahy C. Area of
manufacture D. Method of trade
True and False
1. T F Costa Rica and Panama were important in transmitting to Mesoamerica the knowledge of hollow ceramic pottery.
2. T F The Toltecs probably modeled their own early history on the Mixtgecs who are, on the whole, earlier than the
Toltecs.
3. T F The image of the feathered serpent of theocratic Teotihuacan is nowhere to be seen in the art of the Toltec
warrior-hunters.
4. T F From birth to death, every facet of education prepared Aztec youth for the eventuality of sacrifice.
5. T F At Tula we find the first buildings which show a concern for interior volume carried around corners.
6. T F The Aztec contempt for death was based upon their belief in the4 sacrificial creation of the cosmos.
7. T F The decorations on the fretted panels at Mitla were most likely expression of their artist’s abilities.
8. T F Unlike Teotihuacan, we find fundamental novelties and major innovations in structural technique everywhere in
Tula.
9. T F The Aztecs admired the sculpture of the ancient Olmec.
10. T F The most important examples of Mixtec metalwork come from the palaces at Mitla.
11. T F For the Aztecs, unlike other Mesoamerican cultures, the ballgame was just a game.
12. T F The Aztecs glorified their humble beginnings in their codices.
13. T F On Tula’s atlantean figures the Toltec warrior tradition is clearly seen in the weapons, butterfly pendants and
meticulously carved detail done with military precision.
14. T F In the earlier buildings at Mitla, Zapotec influences are present in Mixtec architectural style.
15. T F The codex style of painting was only done on Mixtec manuscripts.
16. T F Mixtec codex imagery is filled with conventions that today are difficult to understand.
17. T F On the Stone of Tizoc, the procession of figures owes its inspiration to the marching warriors on the benches of
the Burnt Palace of Tula.
18. T F Because Cortez’s landing was accompanied by cosmic and geologic events, the Aztecs were prepared for his
arrival.
19. T F Prestige crafts such as metalworking and featherworking were passed down through family tradition.
20. T F The Codex Mendoza’s section on life from year to year shows the benevolence and tenderness used in bringing
up the young, and their tolerance for variances in tradition.
Matching
_____ Aztlan
_____ Xolotl
____ Itzcoatl
_____Tlachtli
_____Tlatelolco
_____Tlacaelel
_____Chinampa
_____Tenochtitlan
_____Chacmool
_____Nahuatl
_____Glyph
_____Atlantid
_____Cire-perdue
_____Tezcatlipoca
_____Plinth
_____Codex Vindobonensis
_____Calmecac
_____Codex Mendoza
_____Tlahuizcalpantecutli
_____Plinth
_____amatl
_____ Huitzilopochtli
_____Merlons
_____Tlaloc
_____Colonnade
_____atlatl
_____ Xipetotec
_____Tonatiuh
_____Period of Wandering
_____Codex Nuttall
1. Lord of the Morning Star--the planet Venus
2. Mixtec genealogical book showing Lady 3-Flint, Lord 8Deer
3.Chief god of the Aztecs; god of war
4.Chief minister of Izcoatl who rewrote Aztec history books
5.God of spring and renewal who wore skin of sacrificed
victims
6,Great market city sister-city of Tenochtitlan
7.School for training young boys as priests
8.A form of paper made from the bark of fig trees
9.Top of a balustrade that rises vertically serving as a base
10.Wooden throwing stick
11.A pictographic symbol
12.Lost-wax casting
13.Figure of a man used in place of a column
14.The legendary island homeland of the Aztecs
15.Stone figure of recumbent human holding a basin
16.Rectangular base or platform for a statue
17.Farmland created by piled water vegetation
18.,Aztec book listing tribute and telling about Aztec life
19.Roof held up by a series of columns
20.Mixtec ritual book brought to Europe
21.Capital of the Aztecs
22.Aztec ruler who burned the old history book
23.Shell-like decorations atop a coatepantli wall
24.Goggle-eyed god of rain
25.Name of each of the 4 sons of the divine pair
26.Language of the Aztecs and Toltecs
27.Nahuatl term for the I-shaped ballcourt
28.The sun god, thirsty for human blood
29.Chichimec period during which the Aztecs followed their
god Huitzilopochtli
30.An aspect of Quetzalcoatl as a dog-headed monster
Map:
_____Tenochtitlan
_____Tula
_____El Tajin
_____Mitla
_____Teotihuacan
_____LaVenta
_____Xochicalco
_____A city built on a lake is here
_____The ancient Toltec capital of Tollan
_____Building with talus and tablero began here
_____Early evidence of goldworking was found here
_____Homeland of people whose sculptures
influenced the Aztecs
_____May have been an acient convention center
_____Site of flaring cornices and niches
_____Central ritual center has twin pyramids
_____Jade celts with ideographic engravings are
found here
_____The coatlipantli wall is here
––––– Location of intricately designed walls done
in mosaic fashion are found here
_____Montezuma and Cortez met here
_____Place where Incensarios and adornos were
used
–––––The people here kept beautiful genealogical records on codices, one of which was the Codex Nuttall
Can you read
this Aztec
tribute page?