What did city-states have that other cities did not?

A. large market places.
B. impressive acropolises.
C. independent governments.
D. mountain barriers.

To find the answer to this question, we need to analyze the options given and determine what unique characteristic city-states had compared to other cities.

A. Large marketplaces: While having large marketplaces was a common feature of many cities, it was not unique to city-states. Various cities, both in ancient and modern times, can also have sizable markets where goods are traded.

B. Impressive acropolises: Similar to large marketplaces, having impressive acropolises, which are fortified hilltops, was not exclusive to city-states. Several ancient cities had acropolises as prominent features of their architecture, such as Athens in Greece.

D. Mountain barriers: While some city-states may have been protected by mountain barriers, this feature is not specific to city-states alone. Many cities throughout history have been located near or even protected by natural barriers such as mountains or rivers.

C. Independent governments: The term "city-state" itself implies that city-states had independent governments, which set them apart from other cities. Unlike regular cities, which were often governed by a larger state or empire, city-states were autonomous entities with their own self-governing systems.

Therefore, the answer to the question is C. independent governments. City-states were characterized by having their own political systems and governing bodies, distinguishing them from other cities that were subject to external control.