Question 1

The three levels of the world are earth, sky, and ________.

Accepted Answer

The three levels of the world in many cultures include the earth, sky, and underworld. The underworld is often associated with death and the afterlife, and is considered a separate realm from the physical world. Therefore, the best choice to complete the sentence is B) underworld.

Question 2

Many ancient cave dwellings depict hunting scenes with a dancing human figure representing a ________.

Accepted Answer

The dancing human figure in ancient cave dwellings often represents a shaman, as they were believed to have the power to communicate with the spirit world and aid in hunting and other important tasks for the community. The other options are possible but are less commonly represented in these types of cave paintings.

Question 3

Another name for witchdoctor is ________.

Accepted Answer

Witchdoctor is another term for a shaman, a person in tribal or traditional cultures who acts as a spiritual mediator between the physical and spiritual worlds, and often performs healing and divination rituals. The other options, brahmin, rishi, and magus, refer to specific titles or roles in other cultural or religious contexts.

Question 4

Various hunting rituals show that people believed that the spirit of the killed animal or person ________.

Accepted Answer

The belief that the spirit of the killed animal or person survives death is a common theme in many hunting rituals. This belief often involves practices aimed at appeasing the spirit or honoring it in some way, suggesting that people believed that the spirit of the killed creature or person continued to exist beyond death.

Question 5

One way to deal with unfriendly spirits is to ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of One way to deal with unfriendly spirits...

Question 6

One of the powerful reasons for human religion suggested by your textbook is ________.

Accepted Answer

The idea of an afterlife provides hope and comfort to individuals in a world that is uncertain and unpredictable. The belief that there is something beyond this life can bring meaning and purpose to our existence, and can help us cope with the challenges and traumas that we face. This may be one of the reasons why religion has played such an important role in human culture throughout history.

Question 7

The axis mundi is the symbolic link connecting ________.

Accepted Answer

The axis mundi is a concept found in many cultures that represents the center of the world or universe, connecting earth and sky. It is often represented by a tall vertical object such as a tree or mountain, and is seen as a symbolic link between the physical and spiritual realms. While the concept may have connections to ideas of heaven and god in some cultures, the primary connection is between the earth and the sky.

Question 8

The Egyptian goddess Bast is commonly associated with a ________.

Accepted Answer

Bast is commonly depicted as a lioness or a cat goddess in Egyptian mythology. Cats were considered sacred animals in ancient Egypt, and Bast was believed to protect households and fertility.

Question 9

The sacred bull mount of the god Shiva is named ________.

Accepted Answer

The sacred bull mount of the god Shiva is named Nandi.

Question 10

One of the activities that the Indo-Europeans did not engage in was ________.

Accepted Answer

Farming was not a common activity for the Indo-Europeans, as they were primarily a pastoralist society focused on herding and tending to their animals.

Question 11

Everywhere the Indo-Europeans conquered, they set up ________.

Accepted Answer

The Indo-Europeans were known for setting up a social system with four divisions, or varnas, which included the Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (merchants and farmers), and Shudras (laborers). This system was evident in ancient Indian society, where it became known as the caste system.

Question 12

One of the social classes in India is the ________.

Accepted Answer

Vaishyas are a social class in India that traditionally consists of merchants, farmers, and artisans. They are considered the third highest caste in the Hindu caste system, following Brahmins and Kshatriyas.

Question 13

The priest class in India is called ________.

Accepted Answer

The priest class in India is called Brahmins.

Question 14

In India, the four-level social system was given mythic status in ________.

Accepted Answer

The four-level social system, known as the caste system, was given mythic status in the Rig Veda, one of the oldest sacred texts in Hinduism.

Question 15

Which of the following was not necessary in order to consult the Oracle of Delphi?

Accepted Answer

There is no historical record of amputating a finger in order to consult the Oracle of Delphi. However, paying a fee, sacrificing an animal, and climbing a mountain were all part of the ritual.

Question 16

Zoroastrianism played an integral role in the development of ________.

Accepted Answer

Zoroastrianism is considered one of the first monotheistic religions, with its emphasis on the worship of one god, Ahura Mazda. Its teachings and beliefs have influenced the development of other monotheistic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Question 17

When did Zoroastrianism first emerge?

Accepted Answer

Zoroastrianism is believed to have emerged around 2,500 years ago in Persia, which is modern-day Iran. It was founded by the prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster) and became the dominant religion of the Persian Empire.

Question 18

Which groups played an integral role in the development of "mystery religions"?

Accepted Answer

Greek and Roman groups played an integral role in the development of "mystery religions," which were characterized by secret ceremonies and initiation rites. The Eleusinian Mysteries, for example, were a popular Greek mystery religion that involved worship of the goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone. The cult of Mithras, a mystery religion from ancient Rome that involved initiation ceremonies and the worship of the god Mithras, also gained popularity in the Roman Empire during the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE.

Question 19

The myth of ____________ plays an important role in understanding the changes in the seasons

Accepted Answer

The myth of Persephone explains the changing of the seasons. Persephone is the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of the harvest. While walking in a field, Hades, the god of the underworld, takes Persephone against her will to be his bride. Demeter, who is grief-stricken, neglects her duties as the goddess of harvest, causing the crops to die and the world to turn cold. In the end, Zeus intervenes and allows Persephone to spend half of the year in the underworld and half of the year with her mother, causing the changing of the seasons as she transitions between the two worlds.

Question 20

Which is the most recent sacred scriptural text?

Accepted Answer

The Christian Gospels are the most recent sacred scriptural text, as they were written in the first century AD. The other options, Hindu Vedas, Jewish Torah, and Zoroastrian Avesta, were all written thousands of years ago.

Quiz 1: Studying Western Religions