Aztec Civilization Quiz

Name:

Date:

Instructions: Explore the powerful Aztec Empire of central Mexico — its impressive capital, sun-worshipping religion, and dramatic encounter with Spanish conquistadors.

1.
What was the name of the Aztec capital city, built on an island in Lake Texcoco?
A
Palenque
B
Tenochtitlan
C
Chichen Itza
D
Cusco
2.
Which modern city was built on the ruins of the Aztec capital?
A
Puebla
B
Mexico City
C
Guadalajara
D
Cancun
3.
Which Spanish conquistador led the expedition that conquered the Aztec Empire in 1521?
A
Hernan Cortes
B
Francisco Pizarro
C
Pedro de Alvarado
D
Vasco de Gama
4.
Who was the last Aztec emperor, captured by the Spanish?
A
Itzcoatl
B
Cuauhtémoc
C
Montezuma II
D
Ahuitzotl
5.
What were the floating gardens the Aztecs used for agriculture called?
A
Chinampas
B
Terraces
C
Cenotes
D
Milpas
6.
Which god was particularly important to the Aztecs and associated with the sun and war?
A
Tezcatlipoca
B
Huitzilopochtli
C
Quetzalcoatl
D
Tlaloc
7.
What valuable commodity did the Aztecs use as a form of currency?
A
Turquoise stones
B
Silver coins
C
Cacao beans
D
Gold nuggets
8.
What feathered serpent god was central to Aztec mythology?
A
Xipe Totec
B
Tlaloc
C
Huitzilopochtli
D
Quetzalcoatl
9.
What major factor, besides military conquest, devastated the Aztec population after Spanish contact?
A
Famine
B
Flooding
C
European diseases like smallpox
D
Earthquakes
10.
What was the Aztec name for their own people?
A
Mexica
B
Toltec
C
Zapotec
D
Olmec
11.
How many months did the Aztec solar calendar have?
A
20
B
13
C
12
D
18
12.
What was the Triple Alliance that formed the basis of the Aztec Empire?
A
Three religious orders
B
Three military divisions
C
Three Aztec royal families
D
Three allied city-states: Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan
13.
What type of structure served as the main temple in the center of Tenochtitlan?
A
A dome
B
A step pyramid (Templo Mayor)
C
An obelisk
D
A colosseum
14.
What popular modern food originated with the Aztecs, made from ground maize dough?
A
Pasta
B
Tortillas
C
Rice cakes
D
Bread
15.
What chocolate-based drink did the Aztecs prepare, often flavored with chili peppers?
A
Atole
B
Xocolatl
C
Coffee
D
Pulque

Answer Key

Question 1

B. Tenochtitlan

Question 2

B. Mexico City

Question 3

A. Hernan Cortes

Question 4

B. Cuauhtémoc

Question 5

A. Chinampas

Question 6

B. Huitzilopochtli

Question 7

C. Cacao beans

Question 8

D. Quetzalcoatl

Question 9

C. European diseases like smallpox

Question 10

A. Mexica

Question 11

D. 18

Question 12

D. Three allied city-states: Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan

Question 13

B. A step pyramid (Templo Mayor)

Question 14

B. Tortillas

Question 15

B. Xocolatl

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