Unit #2 Exam Information
Unit #2 Exam - Format and Essay Questions -
On Friday, January 13th, you'll take the Unit #2 Objective Exam. That will consist
of 60 multiple choice questions and several document-based questions.
Your Unit #2 essay will also be due that day upon your arrival to class. Below
you can find both the questions from which you will choose and the
format for the essay portion on the Unit #2 Exam.
Unit #2 Essay Exam Questions and Format - Below you can
find both the questions from which you will choose and the format for
the essay portion on the Unit #2 Exam.
Format: The actual essay will be written, by hand or word-processed, in class Thursday. You should prepare for a five-paragraph essay. That means that you should include an introduction (with a clear thesis statement), three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. (Note that the questions lend themselves to such a format. That is on purpose.)
There is no specified length requirement, but I would suggest that most essays end up being the equivalent of between 1 1/2 and 2 pages if they are hand-written. Any shorter and you are probably not giving the different portions of the question enough attention and depth. It is tough to go much longer given the limited class time. Remember that the questions are not designed for you to tell us everything you have learned. Focus on what the question is requiring you to do.
Unit #2 Essay Questions: You may choose ONE of the following questions to answer.
A. Edgar Allan Poe once wrote, " ... to the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome." While both the Greek and Roman Empires experienced great peaks (the Age of Athens and the Pax Romana), which empire has had the most influence on the world? Identify and explain THREE main reasons in support of your choice between Greece or Rome. (Saying that both had an equal influence is NOT an option.) Which of the two empires do you believe could offer the most helpful lessons to the present-day United States? Why?
B. Greco-Roman culture (also known as Classical Greece and Rome) has profoundly influenced American government and politics. Identify and explain the significance of the THREE most important aspects of our government borrowed from one or both of those cultures. (In each case, you should describe both its historical roots and its impact today.) What characteristics or features of either culture SHOULD we add to our system of government? Why?
C. Caesar Augustus is one of the most significant individuals in world history. His impact on Rome, however, is complex. (On one hand, he is credited with helping Rome to develop one of the most powerful empires in history. On the other hand, he is accused of destroying the Roman republic.) In your opinion, should Caesar Augustus be remembered as a hero or a villain? Be sure to provide THREE reasons for your conclusion. More generally, is it appropriate to "judge" historical figures?
D. Throughout this unit, we studied numerous powerful empires (Athenian, Hellenistic, Roman, Mauryan, Gupta, and Han). Using multiple examples from these empires, identify and explain the THREE key reasons that empires collapse. Is the United States in danger of collapse in your lifetime?
