AP WORLD HISTORY. Can you leave tips to help answer other questions like this? I'm new to upper level history and don't understand the structure.

“These men were some of those who took extreme pains to study the ancient sciences, for the sake of which they gave generously what was required, taxing themselves with fatigue. They dispatched to the Byzantine country men who sent scientific manuscripts back to them.

They hired translators from various districts and kept them in attendance for many years, so that they brought to light wonders of learning. The sciences in which they were most interested were geometry, mechanics, dynamics, music and astronomy.”

Muslim scholar Ibn al-Nadim’s description of a group who

studied in Baghdad during the Abbasid era, ca. 980

1. The scientific and mathematical learning that flourished during the Abbasid Caliphate was aided by

a) the translation of Greco-Roman classical works into Arabic.

b) state sponsorship of visiting experts from neighboring regions.

c) the wealth of mathematical research that had accrued during the Umayyad Caliphate.

d) Shi’ite domination of the caliphate and of the places of learning.

2. What does the passage indicate about the political situation that existed at the time in the Abbasid Caliphate?

a) A rivalry existed between the Abbasid Caliphate and the remains of the Umayyad Caliphate in Spain.

b) The Abbasid Caliphate was politically divided between Arab and non-Arab families.

c) A level of diplomacy existed between the Abbasid Caliphate and its Christian neighbors.

d) The Abbasid Caliphate was ruled by an autocratic caliph who dominated both political and cultural life.

3. Which of the following best describes the changes in the Islamic community by the tenth century as described in the passage?

a) The Turkic Mamluks created a new caliphate and ruled from Damascus.

b) The Samanid dynasty of Iran swept into power.

c) The Abbasid Caliphate began to weaken politically and several new states were created.

d) The majority Sunni population rose up and created their own state.