Ancient China: The Huang Valley: Lesson 1

What is loess?

• The bottom level of the social class

• A fine, dust like material that can form soil

• Walls that hold back water

• A prescription used to treat excessive talking for sixth graders.

Which is an accurate description of the Chinese language?

• The Chinese language is confusing.

• The Chinese language consists of 26 symbols similar to those in the English language.

• The Chinese recorded important events on scrolls of papyrus paper.

• The earliest written Chinese records are oracle bones carved with logographs and pictographs.

How did the geography of the Huang Valley affect the lives of the Chinese who settled there?

• The Huang River held loess from the Gobi Desert, which it deposited on the North China Plain when it overflowed its banks. Deposits of loess created fertile soil for growing crops.

• The Huang Valley had very dry, mountainous terrain which made it difficult for farming, but kept out invaders.

• The geography of the Huang Valley had no affect on the lives of the Chinese people.

• The Huang Valley is a made up setting from children's stories.

How did organization allow the leaders of the Shang Dynasty to increase their power?

• Leaders were able to pray to their Gods in temples, which gave them more power.

• Leaders used the class system to get power over the lowest classes. This made them feel better about themselves.

• The Shangs' organization of farmers led to large harvests. Extra food allowed the Shang to support an army to conquer neighboring lands.

• Organized cities made it easier for visitors to know where they were going and how to find people.