MOHAMED SATHAK A.J.ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE SECTION I-C

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE & CULTURE – I (QUESTION BANK)

PART A – 2 MARK QUESTIONS

UNIT 1

1. Define the term Paleolithic.

2. Outline the salient features of any one Neolithic shelter.

3. Write notes on bee-hive shelter.

4. State 2 differences between Paleolithic and Neolithic settlement.

5. List any 4 major differences in the lifestyle of the people of Neolithic and Paleolithic periods.

6. Where and how did the Old Stone Age man practice his art? What was its significance?

7. Brief the residential architectural character in the Neolithic period.

8. Write a short note on ‘Megaliths’.

9. Describe the changes that took place in the life and culture of Neolithic man.

10. Write a short note on ‘Megaliths’.

11. Brief Paleolithic culture.

12. Write any 2 impacts of agricultural revolution.

UNIT 2

13. Sketch and name the parts of a Mastaba.

14. Write about Egyptian temples.

15. How are Egyptian temples classified?

16. Sketch the sections of ‘Mastaba’.

17. Write a brief note on the forms of surface decoration in Ancient Egyptian architecture.

18. Give a brief description about Tomb architecture of Egypt.

19. What is unique about Temple of Abu Simbel? Illustrate.

20. Explain briefly why Egypt was called “Gift of the Nile”.

21. “Monumental architecture of Egypt has a distinct character”. Briefly mention all the salient

features.

22. Sketch and name the parts of Mastaba.

23. Write about Egyptian temples.

UNIT 3

24. Give any 2 factors that influence Babylonian architecture.

25. What is a Ziggurat?

26. State the reasons for the evolution of Ziggurat.

27. Name the 2 surface finishes of Sumerian building.

28. Outline any 4 characteristics of the Ancient Persian architecture.

29. Briefly explain the architectural character followed in the early Mesopotamian period.

30. What are the features of Hanging garden of Babylon?

31. What do you mean by Ziggurat? Give an example.

32. ‘Nebuchadnezzar’s great palace complex’ on the water side was that marvel of ancient world.

Justify the statement.

33. What are known as the ‘Hanging gardens’ of Babylon?

34. How was the political structure in Sumerian culture during the ancient civilization?

UNIT 4

35. Write about frieze in Doric order.

36. Sketch the ionic capital.

37. Explain the term ‘Stoa’.

38. Write a brief note on ‘Agora’.

39. What are ‘Agora’ and ‘Acropolis’?

40. How did climate influence the character of Ancient Greek architecture?

41. Outline any 4 ways by which the ancient Greeks achieved perfect hearing conditions in the open

air theatres.

42. Mention the special characteristic features of Hellenic period architecture.

43. Bring out any two differences between Doric order and Corinthian order of Classical Greek.

44. Mention the optical corrections given to the eastern side (front elevation) of Parthenon Athens.

45. What are the characteristic features of Doric order?

46. Brief theocracy and architecture.

47. What is an optical illusion?

48. Outline the salient aspects of Hellenistic architecture.

UNIT 5

49. Write about the roman forum.

50. Name any 2 predominantly used architectural elements in roman architecture.

51. Name the Forums of Ancient Rome.

52. Name the classic orders evolved by Romans.

53. What various vaulting systems did the Ancient Romans develop? Illustrate with sketches.

54. Into what political phases can ancient Rome be divided into? What was the system of governance

in each of these phases?

55. ‘Roman architecture is more apparent than real’. Cite 2 reasons.

56. “Forum of Rome was similar to the agora of Greek”. Compare.

57. Write a short note on aqueducts of Classical Rome.

58. What are the principles behind the planning of ancient roman towns?

59. “The basic form of the triumphal arch is particularly roman architectural unit”. Support the

statement mentoring an example.

60. List the different types of Roman Orders.

PART B / C – 13/15 MARK QUESTIONS

UNIT 2

1. Describe the Egyptian royal pyramids quoting the example “Great pyramid of Cheops GIZEH”.

2. Explain the types of Egyptian temples and elaborate on mortuary temple architecture quoting one

example.

3. “Life after death” was a strong philosophy in Ancient Egypt. Substantiate the statement citing Great

Pyramid of Cheops GIZEH as example.

4. Explain the types of Egyptian temples and elaborate on the temple of Ammon Ra, Karnak.

5. (a)Draw the plan of temple of Ammon and explain the salient features of its planning developed

over a period of time by several rulers.

(b) Highlight lighting system and decorations incorporated in the temple.

6. Describe how various chambers are planned at different levels in pyramid of Cheops through a

cross section and explain the construction methods adopted for king’s chamber and grand gallery.

7. Explain the evolution of pyramid from Mastaba in Ancient Egypt with sketches.

8. Illustrate with sketches the temple architecture of Egypt.

9. Explain the evolution of pyramid from mastaba during ancient river valley civilization in Egypt.

10. Explain the architectural features and significance of pyramids with sketches

11. Explain the tomb architecture of Egypt in detail.

12. Into what different categories can temples in Ancient Egypt be classified? Illustrate with typical

examples.

13. Outline the evolution of the pyramid illustrating with appropriate examples to highlight the various

stages in its evolution.

14. What were the various cultural determinants in Ancient Egypt and how did they influence the

character of Ancient Egyptian architecture?

UNIT 3

15. Identify under which civilization does “Palace of Sargon, Khorsabad” come? And furnish the

architectural details of the same.

16. Explain the evolution of ziggurats stating ziggurat of Ur as example. Describe their architectural

details.

17. “The palace of Persepolis” portrays Persian architecture to its glory. Elaborate.

18. Explain the architectural details of the Ziggurat of Ur, Urnamu.

19. Illustrate through appropriate sketches, the salient features of palace of Sargon and elaborate on the

vertical surface details rendered to entrance tower, temple court, and parapet.

20. Highlight planning and construction of palaces of Persepolis by various rulers and discuss the

architectural features of two of its halls within the palaces.

21. What are the factors affecting Sumerian architecture? Explain any one example of Sumerian

architecture.

22. Explain Palace of Persepolis in detail.

23. Outline the evolution of the ziggurat and sketch the various stages in its evolution.

24. ‘Palaces of ancient west Asia were self-contained cities within the larger context of the city’.

Illustrate this with any one appropriate case you are familiar with.

25. What are the factors affecting Sumerian architecture. Explain any one example of Sumerian

architecture.

UNIT 4

26. “In most Greek towns much of the available area was devoted to public rather than private use”

substantiate the statement quoting Agora as example.

27. The Parthenon is the best example in Greek temple architecture. Explain in detail.

28. Illustrate and explain the architectural, structural details of Thermae of Caraculla (illustrations carry

more weightage)

29. “The Parthenon is the best example in Classical Greek temple architecture in the practice of optical

refinement”. Explain with the help of neat sketches.

30. Explain the urban growth in classical Greece, bringing out aspects of public space. Explain Agora in

this context.

31. ‘Greek achieved perfection in optical correction’ in – Parthenon. Explain the above statement with

reference to four details with suitable sketches.

32. Analyse in detail and compare between Doric and Ionic orders.

33. Explain the evolution and classification of orders in Greek architecture.

34. Explain the following

(a) Hellenic and Hellenistic cultures

(b) Greek polis

35. ‘The Parthenon is the finest example of the Doric order’. Elucidate and illustrate through sketches.

36. How did the character of architecture of Ancient Greece differ from that of the Ancient Romans?

Illustrate with sketches.

37. How were good acoustics and sight lines achieved in Greek theatre?

38. Write about the evolution of Greek orders with examples.

UNIT 5

39. Variety of shapes was adopted in temple architecture during Imperial Roman period. Pantheon is

one of the best among that. Enumerate the features which made it remarkable.

40. Give a brief account of the proportioning system followed in classical Roman architecture. Explain

Tuscan order and Composite order in detail.

41. Colosseum was designed as the first permanent amphitheatre in the Roman capital. Enumerate the

salient features which made it remarkable.

42. (a) Highlight the evolution of Roman vaulting system

(b) Explain with sketches various types of roman walls developed with ‘Opus Caementicum’

(Roman concrete) as core.

43. Explain planning and architectural details of Colosseum, Rome with sketches and describe the

skilful combination of materials applied for various structural components of Colosseum.

44. Outline the architectural significance of the ‘Pantheon’ Rome.

45. Give a brief account of the proportioning system followed in classical roman architecture. Explain

Tuscan order and Composite order in detail.

46. Colosseum was designed as the first permanent amphitheatre in the Roman capital. Enumerate the

features which made it remarkable.