Ancient China Vocabulary

What is an oracle bone?

• A bone that would foresee the future.
• An animal bone or turtle shell used by the Shang kings of China to communicate with the gods.
• A good luck charm that kings used when going to war.
• A religious symbol that priests used when performing sacrifices.

What is filial piety?

• Respect for authority
• A typical meal enjoyed by the members of the Zhou Dynasty.
• Being able to interpret the gods
• Respect for one's parents and ancestors

What is the study of basic truths and ideas?

• biology
• Ancient Chinese politics
• A religious system
• A philosophy

What is the Mandate of Heaven?

• An ancient Chinese belief that a ruler had the gods' approval
• the Daoist path to eternal life
• the kingdom during the Zhou Dynasty
• a belief that heaven provided food for those that were hungry

What is Legalism?

• a philosophy taught by Confucius that stresses proper relationships
• an ancient Chinese philosophy based on the teachings of Laozi
• a philosophy stressing the strict use of laws to control behavior
• When lawyers in Ancient China fought for the release of prisoners.

What is Confucianism?

• a philosophy taught by Confucius that stresses proper relationships
• an ancient Chinese philosophy based on the teachings of Laozi
• a philosophy stressing the strict use of laws to control behavior
• a belief that the stars and planets control human behavior

What is Daoism?

• A philosophy taught by Confucius that stresses proper relationships
• an ancient Chinese philosophy based on the teachings of Laozi
• a philosophy stressing the strict use of laws to control behavior
• a peace treaty signed by the warring states of Ancient China

What is a dynasty?

• a line of rulers from the same family

• kings and queens of ancient China

• emperors and empresses of ancient China

• when ancient China conquered territory

A military commander exercising civil power by force, usually in a limited area...

• philosopher

• warlord

• ancestor

• samurai

A person that someone is descended from ...

• ancestor

• aristocrat

• bureaucrat

• civil service