Benchmark Advance

1. Based on the information in paragraphs 2 and 3, what can the reader conclude about Emperor Kao-tsu?

• He thought that the local farmers were smarter than nobles.

• He wanted to create a military base that was stronger than other regions.

• He believed it was important to eliminate competition from other people.

• He was more skilled at military leadership than he was at governing.

2. In paragraph 3, the oi in coins is pronounced with the same vowel sound as the—

• ai in contained.

• oy in loyal.

• io in region.

• au in restaurants.

3. In paragraph 3, the word prosperity is most closely related to which phrase in the same paragraph?

• “eight-year reign”

• “unified the country”

• “code of laws”

• “monetary system”

4. Read the sentence from paragraph 4.

When Taizong took the throne in 626, he built upon Kao-tsu’s progress.

How is this sentence important to the structure of the overall passage?

• It suggests that Emperor Taizong was a more popular ruler than Emperor Kao-tsu.

• It begins a comparison of Taizong’s policies and the policies of Kao-tsu.

• It shows that each emperor of the Tang dynasty ruled in a different way.

• It identifies the problems Taizong inherited and his solutions for making changes.

5. In paragraph 7, the word literature comes from a root word that means—

• letters.

• build.

• hear

• sight.

6A. This question has two parts. Answer Part A and then Part B.

Part A Which sentence from the passage best states the author’s claim about why the Tang dynasty helped to usher in China’s Golden Age?

• “Foreign invaders threatened border regions, and most citizens were poor and unhappy.”

• “Enduring until 907, the Tang dynasty marked the first half of China’s Golden Age.”

• “During this period a series of strong rulers took steps to transform China into the region’s cultural and economic center.”

• “Ch’ang-an’s National Academy attracted many foreign students who came to study art, architecture, and religion.”

6B. Part B Which two sentences from the passage best support the answer to Part A?

• “More people learned to read, and more became educated in subjects like philosophy, literature, and medicine.”

• “Examination Day became important to people’s career interests.”

• “Instead, exam results determined who would become court officials.”

• “The Tang dynasty also expanded its reach into Korea and central Asia.”

• “During this period, China introduced gunpowder, clockworks, and porcelain.”

7. Choose one sentence that states the central idea of this excerpt from paragraph 8.

The advancements of the Tang dynasty helped develop the capital Ch’ang-an into the largest city in the world. Home to more than one million people, Ch’ang-an was laid out in 110 blocks bordered by wide streets. Each block also contained many smaller side streets and was considered its own village. It had homes, shops, schools, restaurants, temples, and a marketplace.

• The advancements of the Tang dynasty helped develop the capital Ch’ang-an into the largest city in the world.

• Home to more than one million people, Ch’ang-an was laid out in 110 blocks bordered by wide streets.

• Each block also contained many smaller side streets and was considered its own village.

• It had homes, shops, schools, restaurants, temples, and a marketplace.

8. What is the meaning of the word abolished as used in paragraph 4?

• celebrated

• ended

• developed

• helped

9. How is the passage “China’s Song Dynasty” different from the passage “China’s Tang Dynasty”?

• It shows how a printing invention made books more available.

• It describes the further development of China’s Golden Age.

• It explains that government jobs were based on exam results.

• It notes China’s advancements in technology and the arts.