The Silk Road

1. At the time of the Han dynasty, which people particularly threatened China from the north?

• A. the nomadic peoples in northwestern China

• B. the Romans

• C. the Persians

• D. the Japanese

2. Why is Zhang Qian often called the Father of the Silk Road?

• A. This teacher encouraged the exchange of ideas.

• B. This explorer opened the way for trade with western cultures.

• C. This emperor forced peasants to work on construction.

• D. This military leader made the highway safe for traders.

3. Why did people in China want horses from Central Asia?

• A. The horses were scarce in China.

• B. The horses gave the Chinese a way to sell their silk.

• C. The horses were larger and more powerful than Chinese horses.

• D. The horses were considered prettier than the ones in China.

4. What made silk valuable in the West?

• A. The Syrians thought wool was too itchy.

• B. The Indians found cotton to be too expensive.

• C. The Romans wanted to use it to praise their Christian God.

• D. The Chinese were the only ones who knew how to make it.

5. One of the most important Roman products that trade along the Silk Road brought to China was

• A. fur

• B. paper

• C. camels

• D. glassware

6. The Silk Road split into a northern route and a southern route. What was one advantage of taking the northern route?

• A. Oases were closer together.

• B. Road surfaces were smoother.

• C. Scenery was more attractive.

• D. Travelers were safer from bandits.

7. What was the most important reason why traders formed long caravans to cross the desert?

• A. to learn the route

• B. to lift heavy goods

• C. to protect each other

• D. to prevent sandstorms

8. What belongs in the blank space on the diagram?

• A. wool carpets

• B. fine dishware

• C. ground coffee

• D. polished ivory

9. Merchants used camels to move goods on the Eastern Silk Road. What animals carried goods on the Western Silk Road?

• A. dogs

• B. yaks

• C. goats

• D. elephants

10. Which part of the Silk Road exposed travelers to the dangers listed below?

-Lack of oxygen

-Narrow passes

-Steep cliffs

-Snowstorms

• A. Andes Mountains

• B. the Gobi desert

• C. the Iranian Plateau

• D. the Pamir mountains