World Studies Final Exam Essay Options

Choose THREE of the following essays to complete for ten points each. Each response should be at least one complete paragraph. Refer to the rubric below.

a.  Compare and contrast the reasons behind the rise and fall of an empire we have studied with the rise and potential fall of the United States.  In what ways is the US similar / different?   Be sure to use specific examples to support your comparisons.

 b.  Explain the impact geography has had on the development of the world.  Use specific examples from ancient or modern times to show these impacts.

 c. Compare and contrast two of the world’s great religions.  Use specific examples to explain their origins, beliefs, and practices.

 d. Explain ways in which religious conflict has been evident historically and / or today.  Choose three different examples and explain the causes / effects of each.

 e. Choose a person from history and evaluate his / her importance both during the time in which he/she lived and the impact they had on the future.  Use specific examples to show the ways the significance of this person and the legacy they left.  Is this an overall positive or negative legacy?

 f. Choose an invention or idea from world history.  Discuss what factors helped lead to this creation and how it changed the world using facts and details from class.

 g. How has cultural diffusion affected the development of civilization throughout the world.  Use examples from ancient and/or modern societies to show.

RUBRIC

• 10 points =  Student clearly answers all parts of the prompt, providing multiple specific and relevant examples from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction (thesis in which an original argument is asserted), body, and conclusion.
• 9 points =  Student clearly attempts to answer all parts of the prompt, providing some specific and relevant evidence from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction (thesis), body, and conclusion.
• 8 points =  Student answers most parts of the prompt, providing relevant evidence from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
• 7 points =  Student attempts to answer the main part of the prompt, providing somewhat relevant evidence from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction and  body.
• 1-6 points =  Student’s answer lacks clarity and/or organization discussed above.