The Islamic caliphates: conquests, trade, Baghdad and the House of Wisdom

Grade 7 Social Studies Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

2. 1.

   What two effects came from the government reforms, Noah asks?

   • Arabic as the official language, and Arabic words on coins
   • A new capital, and a new language for books
   • Greek as the official language, and crosses kept on gold coins
   • One effect, the second civil war
3. 2.

   By the note, which date is on the gold dinar, Ren asks?

   Use the picture in question 1.

   • 105 CE
   • 697–98
   • 750
   • The early 690s
4. 3.

   Where is paper made first in the paper chain, Tala asks?

   • Damascus
   • Baghdad
   • China
   • Samarkand
5. 4.

   By the Arabic chain, who writes many books in Arabic under the Abbasids, Zee asks?

   • Coin makers in Damascus
   • Traders on the Silk Roads
   • Scholars in Baghdad
   • Officials of the old Persian empire
7. 5.

   Which part of the paper chain is a tradition, a tale told later, Ari asks?

   • A paper factory was reported in the city of Baghdad about 795
   • Chinese papermakers taught the craft in Samarkand after 751
   • Paper was reported to the emperor in 105 CE
   • Paper mills worked in Damascus by the 900s
8. 6.

   Another source says paper was used in Samarkand before Arab rule. What does Bo learn from that?

   Use the picture in question 5.

   • The 751 story is proven
   • The 751 story may not be the whole truth
   • Paper was not made in Samarkand in any year
   • Paper traveled from Baghdad to Samarkand
10. 7.

    Esme wants evidence for the Arabic reform that a museum could hold. Which fits best?

    • A silk robe from Baghdad
    • A map of the Silk Roads
    • A tale told about the caliphs
    • A gold dinar dated 697–98
11. 8.

    Jun's note says, "Arabic became official before the second civil war." Which fix is right?

    Use the picture in question 7.

    • Change "official" to "ancient"
    • Leave it: the chain puts the reform of Arabic first
    • Change "Arabic" to "Greek"
    • Change it: Arabic came after the civil war
13. 9.

    Kira's note says, "The first paper factory in Baghdad opened in 105 CE." Which fix is right?

    • Leave it: 105 CE is in the chain
    • Change 105 CE to about 795
    • Change "paper" to "silk"
    • Change "Baghdad" to "Medina"
14. 10.

    Luz's note says, "Paper made books more expensive." Which fix is right?

    Use the picture in question 9.

    • Leave it: paper was costly to make and to buy
    • Change "expensive" to "heavy"
    • Change it: books became much less expensive
    • Change "books" to "coins"