DTW GED PREP

The roots of Greek culture trace back to around 2000 BCE, with the arrival of the Achaeans from the southeastern Balkan region of Europe. Greece’s geographical characteristics—its peninsular land and numerous islands—meant that the sea played a vital role in shaping Greek society. Trade by sea was essential, and the Greek city-states developed powerful navies that dominated the Mediterranean. This close connection with the sea not only fostered trade but also contributed to the spread of Greek culture and ideas.

One of Greece’s most significant contributions to Western culture was the development of abstract philosophy. Greek thinkers believed that humans could use their reasoning abilities to understand the universe and its natural laws, a concept that laid the foundation for much of Western intellectual thought. The Classical Age of Greece (approximately 750–400 BCE) saw the emergence of ideas and achievements in art, architecture, literature, science, philosophy, and government that continue to influence Western civilization today.

Among Greece’s most important innovations was the development of democracy, particularly in Athens. While it was not democracy as we know it today—since only male citizens could vote and both slaves and women had no legal rights—it marked a significant shift from the absolute rule of emperors. The idea that citizens should have a say in the laws that govern them became a foundational principle of Western political systems, even though it applied to only a small portion of the population at the time.

The rise of the northern Greek kingdom of Macedonia, under the leadership of King Philip II and his son Alexander the Great, marked a pivotal moment in Greek history. In the 4th century BCE, Alexander’s military conquests spread Greek culture, language, and customs far beyond Greece, extending from Europe’s Danube River to India’s Indus River. Alexander’s empire facilitated the diffusion of Greek ideas across a vast territory, profoundly shaping the cultures of the regions he conquered and leading to the Hellenistic period, a blend of Greek and local cultures.

CLASSICAL GREECE

Directions: Choose the best answer to each of the following questions.

1. Based on the information above, you can assume that:
   A. The Roman emperors modeled their laws on those of Greek emperors.
   B. Greek navies were superior to all others in the ancient world.
   C. Alexander the Great tried to conquer China but failed to do so.
   D. Democracy ended in Greece because of slave revolts.
2. What claim about philosophy is supported by the information above?
   A. The philosophers of ancient Greece continue to be read and studied.
   B. The word philosophy comes from philo, meaning love, and sophia, meaning wisdom.
   C. Alexander the Great was an avid student of philosophers such as Socrates.
   D. The ancient Greek language used in philosophical texts is no longer understood.

1. Based on the information above, you can assume that:

✅ B. Greek navies were superior to all others in the ancient world.
🟩 Explanation: This is a reasonable assumption because ancient Greece, especially Athens, was known for its powerful navy, which played a major role in conflicts like the Persian Wars.

2. What claim about philosophy is supported by the information above?

✅ A. The philosophers of ancient Greece continue to be read and studied.
🟩 Explanation: Ancient Greek philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle laid the foundation for Western thought and are still studied in schools and universities today.