The Benchmark Exam will cover the following skills and question stems…

Skill: Sourcing and Context (Difficulty: Easy)

 What historical context best helps to understand the source?

 Which of the following developments helps explain _____?
 Which example best represents _____?

Skill: Analyzing Historical Evidence (Difficulty: Medium)

 What is the author saying about _____________?

 What is the source saying about _____________?
 Which of the following best describes ___________?
 Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the source?

Skill: Causation (Difficulty: Hard)

 Which of the following was an impact/effect of the __________________ in the [source] ?

 Which of the following contributed to/caused the __________________ in the [source]?

Skill: Comparison (Difficulty: Hard)

 How is _________ similar to/different from the __________ in the [source]?

 Which of the following _____________ is most similar to the __________________ in the
[source]?
 Which of the following _____________ most contrasts with the __________________ in the
[source]?

Skill: Change and Continuity over Time (Difficulty: Hard)

 Which of the following represents a change in __________ in the [source]?

 Which of the following __________ in the [source] best represents continuity with _______?
 How is _________ in the [source] similar to/different from _________?


The Benchmark Exam will make use of the following task verbs…

Verb Difficulty Level Description

Identify Easy Indicate or provide information about a specified
topic, without elaboration or explanation.

Describe Medium Provide the relevant characteristics of a specified

topic.

Explain Hard Provide information about how or why a

relationship, process, pattern, position, or
outcome occurs, using evidence and/or
reasoning.
The Benchmark Exam will cover the following standards...

Standard Keywords and Questions

5.3.2 The student will be able to identify and Four noble truths
describe the characteristics of Hinduism and Eightfold path
Buddhism. Karma, reincarnation, and dharma

5.4.2 The student will be able to compare Daoism, Legalism

Confucianism and Legalism, the three major Confucianism
philosophies of Ancient China.
How did different Chinese dynasties make use of
Legalist and Confucian ideas?
5.7.1 The student will be able to identify and describe How did the Qin Dynasty make use of Confucianism
the unification of China by the Qin Dynasty. and/or Legalism?
5.8.1 The student will be able to identify and Mahayana Buddhism
describe the conquest of India by the Mauryan What were the policies of Chandragupta and Ashoka?
Empire, including changes to the Buddhist religion. How did the Mauryan Empire make use of Hinduism
and Buddhism?
What sources have information about the Mauryan
Empire?
How was Mahayana Buddhism different from earlier
Buddhism?
5.9.1 The student will be able to identify and How did the Han Dynasty make use of Confucianism
describe the characteristics of the early Han Dynasty. and/or Legalism?
5.9.2 The student will be able to explain how Han Wudi
warfare between the Han and the Xiongnu led to the Xiongnu
opening of the Silk Road. Silk Road

How did the defeat of the Xiongnu change Asian

trade?
5.10.2 The student will be able to explain how Korea Baekje
in the Three Kingdoms period was influenced by China
and in turn influenced Japan. How did Japan adopt Buddhism and Chinese writing?
5.11.1 The student will be able to identify and Religious tolerance
describe the characteristics of the Gupta Empire, Metallurgy
focusing on religious tolerance and scientific
development. Why was the Gupta Empire considered a Golden Age?
5.11.2 The student will be able to identify and define What were the most important dynasties of the Period
the changes that occurred in Chinese society during of Disunion?
the Period of Disunion between the Han and the Sui. How did Chinese culture change in the Period of
Disunion?
Why could China not unify in the Period of Disunion?
How did Buddhism spread to China in the Period of
Disunion?
5.12.1 The student will be able to identify and High Tang
describe the characteristics of the Tang and Song Late Tang
Dynasties in China. Northern Song
Southern Song
Grand Canal
Civil Service Exam
5.12.2 The student will be able to explain how China An Lushan Rebellion
changed culturally and politically during the Tang and Civil Service Exam
Song Dynasties. Magnetic Compass
Woodblock Printing
Movable Type
Gunpowder

Why were the Tang and Song periods considered

Golden Ages?
How did Chinese society change in the Tang and Song?
Why did the High Tang golden age come to an end?
5.13.1 The student will be able to identify and Nara
describe the characteristics of Nara and Heian-period Heian
Japan. Fujiwara
Sei Shonagon

Why were the Nara and Heian periods remembered as

a Golden Age?
How did Japanese culture change in the Nara and
Heian Periods?
What were the characteristics of early Japanese art
and literature?