Quiz on Chinese Literature

What is the primary characteristic of Chinese literature?

• It is characterized by epics and narrative poems

• It is didactic and intended to teach moral behavior

• It relies heavily on descriptive and long poems

• It emphasizes the use of pronouns and conjunctions

What has the visual appeal of Chinese characters given rise to in China?

• A decline in the status of calligraphy

• A decline in the importance of poetry

• An elevation of calligraphy as a fine art

• An increase in the popularity of prose

How does the Chinese writing system, based on characters, impact literacy and education?

• It has facilitated education and increased literacy rates

• It has impeded education and reduced the number of readers

• It creates a rigid writing system that reduces literacy rates

• It has simplified education and made reading easier

What dominated the field of Chinese writing for centuries as the principal yardstick in grading candidates in official civil-service examinations?

• Calligraphy

• Pianwen

• Fu

• Baguwen

During which dynasty did the Chinese use tortoise shells and animal bones for writing, creating scripts known as Jiaguwen?

• Shang Dynasty

• Zhou Dynasty

• Qin Dynasty

• Han Dynasty

Which term is used for a genre in Chinese literature that is on the borderline between poetry and prose?

• Calligraphy

• Pianwen

• Fu

• Baguwen

Which dynasty standardized the written Classical Language and favored the philosophical school of Legalism?

• Song Dynasty

• Yuan Dynasty

• Qing Dynasty

• Han Dynasty

During which Chinese dynasty did major philosophies and religions emerge, including Confucianism and Daoism?

• Shang Dynasty

• Zhou Dynasty

• Tang Dynasty

• Han Dynasty

Which novel from the Ming Dynasty, considered one of the four great classics, is based on the historical journey of a Buddhist monk to India?

• The Romance of the Three Kingdoms

• Water Margin

• The Journey to the West

• Dream of the Red Chamber

Which Chinese dynasty experienced the growing influence of organized Buddhist religions and produced poets like Li Bai and Du Fu?

• Shang Dynasty

• Zhou Dynasty

• Tang Dynasty

• Han Dynasty