This Week in Core Maya Page History Notebook

Mayan Test Study Guide for Chapter 23

In general, having class notes complete is your best preparation for the history test.  In addition, you should master the Key Academic Vocabulary for social studies.  Finally, to hone your analytical thinking skills, think about the Essential Questions for this topic in history.

Click here for the Fundamental Social Studies Vocabulary for the year.

Key Academic Vocabulary

civilization
culture
Maya, Mayan
Tikal
Mesoamerica
Olmec
hieroglyphic
observatory
astronomy
social pyramid
social classes
nobles
priests
merchants
artisans
peasants
slaves		 ritual
coming-of-age ceremony
sacrifice
religious beliefs
religious practices
agriculture
environment
swamp
lowland
canal
raised-earth platform
terraces
slash-and-burn
population
drought
crop failure

Essential Questions

  1. Name the present-day countries in the area where the Mayan culture flourished.
  2. What were the achievements of the Olmec?  What was the relationship between the Olmec and the Maya?
  3. What were the characteristics of Pre-Classic, Classic, and Post-Classic Mayan civilization?
  4. Identify the five classes of the Mayan social pyramid.  
  5. Explain how Mayan farmers adapted their techniques to the varied environments of the region.
  6. What have historians learned about the Mayan religion?
  7. Describe the Mayan system of hieroglyphics.  How did it unify a diverse linguistic culture?
  8. How did the Mayan calendar use both astronomy and mathematics?
  9. What are the theories to explain the fall of Mayan civilization?