ORELA Social Studies Content Practice Test

The choice that describes the Mayan religious beliefs as polytheistic with a major focus on the god of Maize is accurate because the Maya worshipped multiple gods, each representing various aspects of life, nature, and society. The Mayans had an extensive pantheon of deities, with each god governing different elements such as rain, agriculture, war, and fertility. Among these, the Maize god, known as Diosa de Maíz or Hun Hunahpú, held particular significance due to the central role of maize in their diet and culture. Maize was not only their staple crop but also a symbol of life and sustenance, making the reverence for its associated deity critical to their agricultural practices and rituals.

Mayan religion was intricately tied to their daily lives, and they conducted numerous ceremonies and offerings to ensure favorable conditions for farming and to honor their gods. The complexity of their beliefs also included ideas of creation, the cosmos, and afterlife concepts, reflecting a rich tapestry of spirituality rather than a singular or agnostic approach to the divine. Thus, the acknowledgement of polytheism and the emphasis on the god of Maize encapsulates the essence of Mayan religious beliefs accurately.