Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Practice Test

Which category of crops did ancient civilizations in Mesoamerica NOT domesticate?

1. Corn

2. Beans

3. Rice

4. Squash

The correct answer is: Rice

Ancient civilizations in Mesoamerica, such as the Maya and the Aztecs, were instrumental in the domestication and cultivation of several key crops. Among these crops were corn (maize), beans, and squash, often referred to as the "Three Sisters" due to their complementary growing patterns and nutritional benefits. Rice, on the other hand, was primarily cultivated in other regions of the world, such as Asia, where it became a staple food source. Mesoamerican civilizations did not have the agricultural practices or suitable growing conditions to domesticate rice. Therefore, the correct answer is indeed rice, as it is the only crop listed that ancient Mesoamerican civilizations did not domesticate.