Practice 04

What dynasty did the Zhou overthrow?

• Qin

• Tang

• Shang

• Han

Answer explanation

The Zhou dynasty overthrew the Shang dynasty around 1046 BCE, marking a significant transition in Chinese history. The Shang were known for their advanced bronze work and writing system, which the Zhou built upon.

What concept justified the Zhou's rule over the Shang?

• Social Contract

• Mandate of Heaven

• Feudalism

• Divine Right of Kings

Answer explanation

The Zhou justified their rule over the Shang through the Mandate of Heaven, a belief that heaven granted them the right to rule based on their virtue and ability to govern justly.

What political system did the Zhou establish to govern their lands?

• Feudalism

• Oligarchy

• Monarchy

• Democracy

Answer explanation

The Zhou established a feudal system to govern their lands, where local lords held power over specific regions in exchange for loyalty to the king. This decentralized approach allowed for more effective management of their vast territories.

What was a major technological advancement during the Zhou Dynasty?

• Gunpowder

• Printing Press

• Cast Iron Production

• Electricity

Answer explanation

During the Zhou Dynasty, cast iron production was a significant technological advancement, allowing for stronger tools and weapons, which greatly improved agricultural and military efficiency.

What term describes the pattern of rise, decline, and replacement of dynasties?

• Cultural Revolution

• Dynastic Cycle

• Political Evolution

• Historical Continuity

Answer explanation

The term 'Dynastic Cycle' describes the historical pattern where dynasties rise to power, decline, and are eventually replaced by new ones. This concept is crucial in understanding the political history of many civilizations.

What did the Zhou use iron for?

• Jewelry

• Weapons and Tools

• Building Structures

• Artistic Sculptures

Answer explanation

The Zhou used iron primarily for weapons and tools, which enhanced their military capabilities and agricultural productivity. This use of iron was crucial during the Iron Age, marking a significant advancement in technology.

What characterized the later years of the Zhou Dynasty?

• Cultural Flourishing

• Economic Prosperity

• Warring States

• Peace and Stability

Answer explanation

The later years of the Zhou Dynasty were marked by the Warring States period, characterized by intense conflict among various states, leading to fragmentation and instability, contrasting with earlier periods of cultural and economic growth.

Which major conflict arose during the later years of the Zhou Dynasty, leading to the fragmentation of power?

• Han-Xiongnu War

• Three Kingdoms War

• Warring States Period

• Spring and Autumn Period

Answer explanation

The Warring States Period was a major conflict during the later years of the Zhou Dynasty, characterized by the fragmentation of power among various states, leading to significant political and military strife.

Which major technological innovation was developed during the Zhou period that improved agricultural productivity?

• Seed Drill

• Water Wheel

• Windmill

• Plow with Iron Blade

Answer explanation

The Plow with Iron Blade was a significant innovation during the Zhou period, enhancing agricultural productivity by allowing farmers to till soil more effectively than previous wooden plows.

What was the primary reason for the Zhou Dynasty's eventual decline?

• Invasion by Foreign Armies

• Internal Strife and Division

• Natural Disasters

• Economic Mismanagement

Answer explanation

The Zhou Dynasty faced significant internal strife and division, leading to weakened central authority and fragmentation of power. This internal conflict was a primary factor in its decline, overshadowing external threats.