Quiz on Ancient Chinese Philosophies and Dynasties

In the later years of the Zhou dynasty, what condition in China led to new philosophies?

• wealth

• disorder

• feudalism

• democracy

The Zhou dynasty came after which dynasty?

• Qin

• Han

• Chin

• Shang

Which of these would Confucius have valued most highly?

• riches

• respect

• freedom

• creativity

According to belief in the Mandate of Heaven, earthquakes and floods might be signs that

• the king did not govern well.

• the end of the world was near.

• the people did not obey the laws.

• the natural world ignored humans.

Which group belongs in the shaded area of the diagram?

• lords

• soldiers

• farmers

• servants

What was the Legalist view of human nature?

• People are basically selfish.

• People are naturally curious.

• People are motivated by love.

• People want to do what is right.

Which later practice in China most shows the influence of Confucian thought?

• new inventions

• trade with Europe

• land given to peasants

• exams for civil servants

Hanfeizi, whose teachings were the basis for Legalism, wrote that rulers should emphasize

• honesty and trust.

• scholarship and ideas.

• trade and manufacturing.

• rewards and punishments.

If the white portion of the yin and yang symbol shown here represents pleasure, what would the black portion represent?

• pain.

• reward.

• afterlife.

• enjoyment.

Daoists taught that people could gain happiness by

• reading the ancient texts.

• serving in government jobs.

• living in harmony with nature.

• working hard to become wealthy.