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. The first major effort to evolve rules of the game for international trade (or multilateral trade) was in the post-World War II era which resulted in the establishment which of the following?
[A] World Trade Organization
[B] WEF
[C] IMF
[D] GATT
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [GATT]
Notes:
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade is a legal agreement between countries, whose overall purpose was to promote international trade by reducing or eliminating trade barriers such as tariffs or quotas. It is to evolve rules of game for international trade.
2. Which one of the following was used as a chemical weapon in the First World War?
[A] Carbon monoxide
[B] Hydrogen cyanide
[C] Mustard gas
[D] Water gas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mustard gas]
Notes:
Although the Germans were the first to use phosgene on the battlefield, it became the primary chemical weapon of the Allies. Phosgene was responsible for 85% of chemical-weapons fatalities during World War I. Mustard gas, a potent blistering agent, was dubbed King of the Battle Gases.
3. From which one of the following nations Barbados got its independence in 1966?
[A] United States of America
[B] United Kingdom
[C] Argentina
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United Kingdom]
Notes:
Barbados became a British colony in 1627. It was a wealthy sugar colony then. It became a British centre of African slave trade. Slave trade banned in 1817. Deep dissatisfaction against the British finally leads to the independence of Barbados from the United Kingdom in 1966.
4. 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.
5. The ‘ziggurats’ in Sumerian Civilization refers to which of the following?
[A] Prison
[B] Meeting hall
[C] Schools
[D] Temples
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Temples]
Notes:
The ‘ziggurats’ in Sumerian Civilization refers to temples. The temples were even storeyed and pyramidical in structure. The Sumerians knew the art of constructing the arch and the’ dome.
6. Which of the following was the major invention of the Sumerians which had a large impact on the forming of the first civilization?
[A] Writing
[B] Ziggurat
[C] Iron
[D] Chariot
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Writing ]
Notes:
The Sumerians made many inventions. They invented the following: the first form of writing, a number system, the first wheeled vehicles, sun-dried bricks, and irrigation for farming.
7. Which of the following kings laid the foundation of the Assyrian Empire?
[A] Shalmaneser IV
[B] TiglathPilesar III
[C] Sennacherib
[D] Assurbanipal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [TiglathPilesar III]
Notes:
Tiglath Pilesar III laid the foundation of the Assyrian Empire and ascended to the throne in 745 B.C. He introduced advanced civil, military, and political systems into the Neo-Assyrian Empire.
8. The Shang dynasty ruled during which of the following period?
[A] 1046-256 BC
[B] 1600-1050 BC
[C] 221-206 BC
[D] 206 BCE-220 AD
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1600-1050 BC]
Notes:
The Shang dynasty is the earliest recorded Chinese dynasty supported by archaeological evidence. The Shang dynasty ruled china from 1600 B. C. to 1050 B. C. Under the Shang dynasty, there were advances in maths, astronomy, art, and military technology.
9. Which of the following dynasty developed the concept of Mandate of Heaven?
[A] Xia Dynasty
[B] Shang Dynasty
[C] Qin Dynasty
[D] Zhou Dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Zhou Dynasty]
Notes:
The Mandate of Heaven is a Chinese political and religious teaching that was used in ancient and imperial China to justify the rule of the King or Emperor of China. It was developed during the rule of the Zhou dynasty which ruled from 1046 to 256 BC.
10. 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.
