dataset_name: prehistory
description: 'The following are multiple choice questions (with answers) about prehistory.


  Q: What is the approximate mean cranial capacity of Homo erectus?

  (A) under 650 cc (B) about 800 cc (C) just under 1000 cc (D) 1200 cc

  A: Let''s think step by step. We refer to Wikipedia articles on prehistory for help.
  The average cranium capacity of Homo erectus is less than 1000 cubic cm. The answer
  is (C).


  Q: According to Timothy Pauketat, the evidence for social stratification and political
  power at Cahokia suggests:

  (A) a center of Mississippian civilization with conditions similar to the rise of
  early states. (B) the limitations of authority in a Native American society of egalitarian
  foragers. (C) a simple chiefdom or perhaps a complex chiefdom had evolved by A.D.
  1500. (D) a center of Mississippian civilization with conditions similar to societies
  on the Northwest Coast of North America.

  A: Let''s think step by step. We refer to Wikipedia articles on prehistory for help.
  Timothy Pauketat is known for his research on Cahokia, the center of the Mississippian
  culture, where he found similar conditions to the rise of early states. The answer
  is (A).


  Q: Recent research on hominid species dating from the Middle Pliocene indicates
  there was (as of 2020):

  (A) a great amount of species diversity, or a single species that exhibited a lot
  of diversity. (B) very little species diversity during this period and very few
  hominids. (C) decreased species diversity due to a prolonged ice age followed by
  a severe drought. (D) decreased species diversity but increased numbers of hammerstones
  and flakes, indicating stone tool manufacture.

  A: Let''s think step by step. We refer to Wikipedia articles on prehistory for help.
  Recent research has recognized multiple hominid species from the Middle Pliocene,
  meaning that there is a great amount of species diversity or diversity in a single
  species. The answer is (A).


  Q: Researchers now believe that the decline of the Maya was caused chiefly by:

  (A) a cataclysm of some kind, such as an earthquake, volcano, or tsunami. (B) ecological
  degradation resulting from slash-and-burn farming techniques. (C) endless wars between
  neighboring Mayan city-states. (D) practices of interbreeding that led to a steep
  rise in congenital disorders.

  A: Let''s think step by step. We refer to Wikipedia articles on prehistory for help.
  Researchers believe that the Maya collapse was mainly caused by over-exploitation
  of natural resources like the slash-and-burn farming techniques. The answer is (B).


  Q: The great Mayan king Pacal built temples in the city of Palenque in order to:

  (A) satisfy the powerful Mayan astronomer priests. (B) display his generosity to
  the common people, since they were allowed to live in the temples. (C) frighten
  away enemies, in particular the Spaniards. (D) legitimize his kingship, since his
  father was not royal.

  A: Let''s think step by step. We refer to Wikipedia articles on prehistory for help.
  Pacal built the temples as the funerary monument to legitimize his kingship. The
  answer is (D).'
include: _mmlu_flan_cot_fewshot_template_yaml
task: mmlu_flan_cot_fewshot_prehistory
