APWH Unit 1-4 Stimulus Based MCQ Exam #2 (1200-1750)
This exam consists of fifty-five APWH-style stimulus based MCQs designed to assess your understanding of the important Unit 1-4 content (1200-1750).
Transparency & Methodology Statement
This exam was created with the assistance of the paid version of ChatGPT . . . this for the sole purpose of trying to determine how effectively—nearly three years after ChatGPT’s public release—the platform can support the creation of a high-quality, teacher-facing AP-style assessment.
From the outset, I gave ChatGPT explicit instructions regarding the use of historical stimuli. Wherever possible, I directed the AI not to create stimuli, but instead to tell me when a stimulus was required and then direct me to search for an appropriate real source, specifying the type of stimulus (e.g., excerpt, chart, graph, map, diary entry) and the historical context under which it should be found.
ChatGPT was permitted to fabricate a stimulus only if:
- a real source would be unusually difficult to locate, and
- the question could not function without a stimulus.
Even in those cases, fabrication was strictly limited to no more than 10 out of 50 questions, had to be clearly labeled, and images were never permitted to be fabricated. Fabricated stimuli, when allowed, were restricted to text-based or data-based formats (such as excerpts, charts, graphs, or diary-style entries).
In practice, no images in this exam were created by ChatGPT. All images and real-world stimuli were independently located by me after being directed to do so by the AI.
At no point did I upload or provide ChatGPT with any College Board or AP Program materials of any kind, including AP Classroom items, Progress Checks, Question Bank content, secure exam questions, or passages from the AP World History: Modern Course and Exam Description. All prompts and inputs consisted exclusively of my own teacher-created notes, glossaries, explanations, and professional experience.
Once ChatGPT generated the full exam text, I copied and pasted the entire output into a Google Doc, located and inserted the required stimuli where directed, and then uploaded the finalized content into Class Companion using the “Create Assignment with AI” tool. The exam transferred cleanly and accurately; the only manual adjustment required involved adding screenshot images of stimuli, which were inserted directly into the platform.
The completed version of this practice exam has not yet been field-tested with students. Teachers who use this resource are encouraged to adapt it as needed. If you encounter any issues or have feedback, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].
This resource is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reviewed by the College Board.
Group 1
Questions 1–3 refer to the passage and image above.
Source 1.1
“This city is the greatest in the world in point of the number and wealth of its inhabitants. For it contains twelve thousand bridges, all of stone, and so lofty that the great vessels which navigate the rivers can pass under them without removing their masts. The number and wealth of the merchants, and the amount of goods which pass through their hands, are so enormous that no man could form a just estimate thereof.”
Marco Polo, The Travels of Marco Polo, describing the city of Kinsay (Hangzhou, China), circa 1298
Source 1.2
Modern illustration of Hangzhou (Lin’an), capital of the Southern Song dynasty, depicting urban architecture and waterways described by Marco Polo in the late 13th century.
Question 1a
Which broader development under Mongol rule is BEST illustrated by the conditions described in the passage?
Question 1b
The conditions described best illustrate which transformation in China between the Song and Yuan?
Question 1c
Reports such as Marco Polo’s most directly contributed to which later development in Europe?
Group 2
Questions 4–6 refer to the passage above.
Source 2.1
“The city of Mogadishu is extremely large. Its merchants are known for their prosperity, and their ships sail to India and China. When a traveler arrives, he is honored with gifts and generous hospitality.”
Ibn Battuta, travel account of Mogadishu, c. 1350 (public domain)
Question 2a
The description most clearly represents which pattern?
Question 2b
The hospitality shown reflects which characteristic of Indian Ocean commerce?
Question 2c
Which factor most sustained the networks described?
Group 3
Questions 7–9 refer to the passage above.
Source 3.1
“Mansa Musa passed through Cairo on his pilgrimage and gave out such quantities of gold that its value fell and prices rose and remained high for many years afterward.”
Al-ʿUmari, describing Mansa Musa’s 1324 pilgrimage (public domain)
Source 3.2
Depiction of Mansa Musa, ruler of the Mali Empire in the 14th century, from the 1375 Catalan Atlas (Paris, BnF, Espagnol 30, sheet 6).
Question 3a
The account illustrates which feature of Mali’s economy?
Question 3b
The price increase demonstrates which economic principle?
Question 3c
The pilgrimage described in the passage occurred in the context of which broader development?
Group 4
Questions 10–12 refer to the image above.
Source 4.1
Codex Mendoza, Folio 37r (Tribute List), c. 1542. Public domain.
Source 4.2
Question 4a
The tribute list most directly reflects which Aztec feature?
Question 4b
The variety of items indicates that tribute obligations were:
Question 4c
The pictorial record-keeping system illustrates:
Group 5
Questions 13–15 refer to the passage above.
Source 5.1
“Japanese ships shall not sail abroad. Anyone who has left the country and returns shall be executed. Christianity and foreign trade are strictly forbidden except in designated locations.”
Tokugawa Edict on Foreign Affairs, 1635 (public domain)
Source 5.2
Portrait of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa Shogun, who unified Japan and established Edo (present-day Tokyo) as the main capital. By Kanō Tan’yū, public domain.
Question 5a
The policy most directly reflects the Tokugawa goal of:
Question 5b
The restrictions were partly a response to:
Question 5c
Compared with Europe at the same time, Tokugawa Japan:
Group 6
Questions 16–18 refer to the passage above.
Source 6.1
“They preach human doctrines who say that as soon as the money clinks in the chest, the soul flies out of purgatory.”
Martin Luther, Ninety-Five Theses, 1517 (public domain)
Question 6a
Luther criticizes which Church practice?
Question 6b
The theses contributed most directly to:
Question 6c
Luther’s rapid influence was primarily due to:
Group 7
Questions 19–21 refer to the map above.
Source 7.1
Encyclopedia Britannica, “Zheng He’s Fourth Voyage, 1413–15,” map showing main and secondary fleet routes across the Indian Ocean.
Source 7.2
Question 7a
The routes support which interpretation?
Question 7b
The destinations demonstrate that the voyages:
Question 7c
After the voyages, Ming policy shifted toward:
Group 8
Questions 22–23 refer to the passage above.
Source 8.1
“Our hosts examine our astronomical charts and compare them to ancient texts, asking whether the new findings confirm their sages’ teachings.”
Fabricated Jesuit report from Ming China, c. 1610 (historically plausible).
Question 8a
Comparing new information to classical writings reflects which cultural pattern?
Question 8b
Jesuit–Ming interactions were part of which global development?
Group 9
Questions 24–25 refer to the passage above.
Source 9.1
“It is our wish that this Kingdom should not be a place for the trade or transport of slaves. Every day the traders are kidnapping our people—sons of the land and sons of our noblemen and vassals. This corruption and depravity are so widespread that our country is being utterly depopulated. We need priests and teachers, not merchants who destroy our people.”
King Afonso I of Kongo, letter to King João III of Portugal, 1526
Question 9a
His concerns reveal which Atlantic pattern?
Question 9b
Afonso’s request for priests and teachers suggests that Kongo had:
Group 10
Questions 26–27 refer to the image above.
Source 10.1
Ottoman miniature depicting Janissaries in ceremonial formation, 16th–17th century (public domain; common images from Topkapı Palace manuscripts).
Source 10.2
Question 10a
The force depicted belonged to which institution?
Question 10b
Janissaries contributed to Ottoman power primarily through:
Group 11
Questions 28–30 refer to the table above.
Source 11.1
Task Enslaved Laborers Assigned Sugar harvesting 120 Milling 45 Transport 30
Fabricated plantation ledger from Brazil, c. 1650 (historically plausible).
Source 11.2
Question 11a
The data in the table most directly illustrate which labor pattern?
Question 11b
Which demographic consequence followed from the labor system?
Question 11c
Sugar’s prominence reflects which global trend?
Group 12
Questions 31–32 refer to the passage above.
Source 12.1
“The coasts, islands, straits, and ports of the Mediterranean are described here in full detail. Every cape, every harbor, every anchorage is shown as it truly is. The winds that blow in each season, the currents that aid or hinder the sailor, and the distances between ports have all been carefully measured, so that no mariner shall be left in doubt upon the sea.”
Piri Reis, Kitab-ı Bahriye (The Book of Navigation), c. 1521. Public domain.
Question 12a
State use of such guides reflects which Ottoman pattern?
Question 12b
Spread of navigational knowledge contributed to which global process?
Group 13
Questions 33–35 refer to the passage above.
Source 13.1
“The throne of the emperor is a refuge for justice. He looks upon all men with the eye of kindness, making no distinction between them. In the administration of the state, the religions and sects of mankind are considered as different colors of a single garden, and the wise sovereign labors for harmony among them so that peace may prevail throughout the realm.”
Abu’l-Fazl, Ain-i-Akbari, c. 1590 (public domain translation)
Question 13a
The excerpt reflects Akbar’s policy of:
Question 13b
Which administrative practice aligns with the excerpt?
Question 13c
Akbar’s reforms contributed to which Mughal outcome?
Group 14
Questions 36–40 refer to the passage above.
Source 14.1
“We departed from Manila with the usual cargo of silks, porcelains, lacquerware, and spices, entrusted to us by merchants of the islands and by the Royal Company. After ninety days upon the ocean, we reached Acapulco, where the people of New Spain received us with great celebration. There the Chinese wares were exchanged for silver—so abundant that the chests of the vessel were filled to their iron locks. This silver, by order of His Majesty, shall enrich both the royal treasury and the merchants whose fortunes depend upon this voyage.”
Fabricated but historically plausible log entry modeled on 17th-century Manila Galleon records. Public domain
Question 14a
The log reflects which global development?
Question 14b
This trade contributed in China to:
Question 14c
The Manila–Acapulco system exemplifies:
Question 14d
The dangers mentioned most likely refer to:
Question 14e
Profits for the crown align with which Iberian objective?
Group 15
Questions 41–43 refer to the map above.
Source 15.1
A diffusion map of gunpowder technology from China → Islamic World → Europe (c. 900–1500 CE).
Source 15.2
Question 15a
The diffusion pattern shown on the map most directly supports which broader historical process?
Question 15b
The spread of gunpowder into the Islamic world contributed most directly to the rise of:
Question 15c
The European adoption of gunpowder by 1500 reflects which major transformation?
Group 16
Questions 44–46 refer to the artifact above.
Source 16.1
Khipu (quipu) fragment with subsidiary cords, Inka, 1400–1570, cotton and indigo dye, 66.04 × 101.28 × 1.91 cm (Dallas Museum of Art)
Source 16.2
Question 16a
The quipu shown most directly illustrates which feature of Inca governance?
Question 16b
The artifact supports which broader conclusion about the Inca Empire?
Question 16c
The quipu system was closely associated with which Inca institution?
Group 17
Questions 47–50 refer to the graph above.
Source 17.1
James Killoran et al., The Key to Understanding Global History, Jarrett Publishing (adapted).
Source 17.2
Question 17a
The demographic trend shown in the graph resulted primarily from:
Question 17b
Which development in Afro-Eurasia was most directly linked to the demographic pattern shown?
Question 17c
The population decline contributed to which major transformation in colonial labor systems?
Question 17d
The Columbian Exchange also produced which ecological consequence?
Group 18
Questions 51–53 refer to the chart above.
Source 18.1
Empire Recruitment of Officials Local Governance Mechanism of Central Control Song China Exam-based scholar-bureaucrats Governors & prefects Confucian ideology + central ministries Delhi Sultanate Turkic military elites Local Hindu rulers retained Tribute + military garrisons Mali Empire Noble lineage officials Semi-autonomous provinces Control of gold trade routes
Fabricated comparative governance chart modeled on typical AP World History instructional materials. Not from a historical primary source.
Source 18.2
Question 18a
Which broader conclusion is most strongly supported by the chart?
Question 18b
Which modern historian’s interpretation would the chart most directly challenge?
Question 18c
Which modern historian’s interpretation would the chart most directly support?
Group 19
Questions 54–55 refer to the map above.
Source 19.1
A map of Dar al-Islam, 622–1700 CE. Notice how many territories (in yellow) were incorporated after 750. Despite the decline of the centralized political authority of the Abbasid Empire, Dar al-Islam continued to expand.
Source 19.2
Question 19a
The map best illustrates which broader pattern in the Islamic world between 1200 and 1450?
Question 19b
Which development most contributed to the political patterns shown on the map?
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