Grand Canal History and Significance

The Grand Canal, the world's longest man-made waterway, was built in 605 by Emperor Yang. It connects the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers and major cities like Beijing. Initially constructed to transport rice, it required a massive workforce and faced many challenges. The Ming Dynasty later improved it with deeper channels and locks. The canal played a strategic role in wars, notably during the Opium War. Today, it remains vital for transportation and communication.

What is the total length of the Grand Canal?

• 605 miles

• 1,100 miles

• 2,000 miles

• 325 miles

Which two rivers does the Grand Canal connect?

• Ganges River and Indus River

• Mississippi River and Missouri River

• Nile River and Amazon River

• Yellow River and Yangtze River

During which dynasty was the Grand Canal primarily used to transport rice?

• Sui Dynasty

• Tang Dynasty

• Ming Dynasty

• Qing Dynasty

Approximately how many workers were conscripted to build the first section of the Grand Canal?

• 2 million

• 750,000

• 500,000

• 1 million

What major improvements did the Ming Dynasty make to the Grand Canal?

• Added bridges and tunnels

• Deepened the canal and added locks

• Constructed new ports

• Built a parallel canal

How many workers were required to maintain the Grand Canal during the Ming Dynasty?

• 60,000

• 45,000

• 20,000

• 10,000

During the Opium War, how did Britain force China to surrender?

• By destroying the canal

• By blockading the Yellow River

• By cutting off resources at the canal's intersection with the Yangtze

• By occupying Beijing

What was the strategic significance of the Grand Canal during wars?

• It was a cultural landmark

• It was a defensive barrier

• It was a major trade route

• It was a key flow of rain and taxes

What is the current use of the Grand Canal?

• It is used for irrigation

• It is a tourist attraction only

• It is used for transportation and communication

• It is no longer in use

Which city is NOT linked by the Grand Canal?

• Beijing

• Hong Zhao

• Shanghai

• Nanjing