China Today - Confucius

According to the text, who wrote down Confucius’s teachings?

• Lunyu

• people in Korea, Japan, and Vietnam

• Confucius himself

• his students

How does the author describe philosophers?

• as important leaders, who work as government leaders and create laws for the people of a country

• as wise teachers, who think about big questions and come up with ideas about how to live

• as successful writers, who write long stories and invent creative characters who can teach lessons

• as powerful doctors, who work with sick and dying people and invent new medicines

Read these sentences from the text.

In China today, people still follow Confucius’s teachings and his way of life. His philosophy was the official philosophy of China for over 2,000 years. It is still a major part of Chinese culture.

What can you conclude from this information?

• Even though Confucius lived a long time ago, the Chinese government still uses his teachings as the country’s official philosophy.

• Confucius’s ideas were important until computers were invented, because then people could learn everything online.

• Even though Confucius lived a long time ago, his teachings are still useful in our modern world.

• Confucius’s ideas are no longer useful, because so many things have changed since he was alive.

Based on the text, why might Confucius's students have wanted to write down his thoughts?

• They wanted to take credit for Confucius’s ideas.

• They thought it would help them memorize Confucius's lessons.

• Confucius was wise but was unable to write his own books.

• They wanted Confucius's words to be remembered long after his death.

What is the main idea of the text?

• Philosophy in China has key differences from philosophy in other countries.

• Confucius never wrote down any of the lessons he taught his students.

• Confucius is more popular in other countries than in China.

• Confucius is an important Chinese philosopher who has been studied for a long time.

Read these sentences from the text.

Confucius lived in ancient China from about 551 to 479 B.C.E. However, his teachings are still important today. . . . His philosophy was the official philosophy of China for over 2,000 years. It is still a major part of Chinese culture.

As used in these sentences, what does the word "major" mean?

• very small

• very big

• very new

• very old

According to the text, what topics did Confucius address in his teachings?

Select 4 answers!

• good behavior

• learning

• government

• Reincarnation

• Family

Using the source, how is the quote from Confucius at the end of the text a good example of what a philosopher would teach?

Use evidence from the text to support your answer.