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Ancient China Test Review

Total questions: 135

Worksheet time: 1hrs 8mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Ancient Chinese history is usually divided by ________.

a)

periods of flood and drought

b)

Mongol invasions

c)

the periods before and after the Great Wall was built

d)

dynasties

2.

The Silk Road was ________.

a)

an ancient religious song that was sung at the Great Wall

b)

the path that the Great Wall eventually followed

c)

the route that connected China to Greece and Rome, allowing goods and knowledge to spread

d)

a 3,000 mile-long waterway where many ancient Chinese built their homes

3.

In the Chinese creation myth, which of the following does Pan Gu do?

a)

He breaks out of an egg.

b)

He falls to the earth like a star.

c)

He grows out of the earth like a tree.

d)

He explodes like a firework.

4.

During the Shang Dynasty, the Chinese people were ________.

a)

always at war with Mongols and other invaders

b)

making the transition from farming to city life

c)

nomadic people living in different tribes

d)

sophisticated world travelers

5.

Meditation and nature are important concepts in ________.

a)

Legalism

b)

the teachings of Confucius

c)

Taoism

d)

the Qin Dynasty

6.

According to the Mandate of Heaven, what happened if a king was bad?

a)

He was turned into stone.

b)

He lost his right to rule.

c)

He couldn't enter heaven.

d)

He was buried alive.

7.

Which dynasty started the Great Wall?

a)

Zhou

b)

Shang

c)

Qin

d)

Ming

8.

Peking and Beijing are ________.

a)

famous rulers of the Han Dynasty

b)

the cities that mark the ends of the Great Wall

c)

two types of jade dragon bowls first made during the Shang Dynasty

d)

two ways to pronounce the name of the same city in China

9.

Honoring your parents is a very important concept in ________.

a)

Legalism

b)

the teachings of Confucius

c)

Taoism

d)

the Qin Dynasty

10.

During which dynasty were bronze tools and jade bowls used?

a)

Zhou

b)

Shang

c)

Qin

d)

Tao

11.

Which of these is closest in length to the Great Wall of China?

a)

The coastline of the state of California

b)

The street your school is on

c)

The border between the U.S. and Canada

d)

The border between Massachusetts and Rhode Island

12.

What can you conclude from the fact that the Great Wall is still standing today?

a)

China has never been successfully invaded

b)

The wall still serves an important strategic purpose

c)

There are still many nomadic tribes north of the Great Wall

d)

It's still an important symbol of Chinese culture

13.

What is the main characteristic of a nomadic tribe?

a)

A dependence on agriculture

b)

A lack of permanent towns and villages

c)

A warlike nature

d)

An advanced social structure

14.

Why was the Great Wall built so high?

a)

To prevent enemy armies from seeing what was on the other side

b)

To prevent horses from getting over it

c)

To prevent attacks with arrows and spears

d)

To prevent individual people from climbing it

15.

What is a dynasty? Choose the best answer.

a)

A succession of rulers from a single family

b)

A warlike nomadic tribe

c)

Another word for "empire"

d)

A system of government similar to democracy

16.

Place the following events in sequence: A) Construction on the Great Wall begins; B) The Manchus invade China; C) The Ming Dynasty

a)

C,A,B

b)

B,A,C

c)

A,B,C

d)

A,C,B

17.

In the sentence "The Manchus breached the Great Wall," what does "breached" mean?

a)

Climbed

b)

Made it through

c)

Destroyed

d)

Built

18.

What could you do if you encountered a pass in the Great Wall?

a)

Walk through it

b)

Climb over it

c)

Go underneath it

d)

Walk around it

19.

What was one result of the Manchu takeover of China?

a)

Fortifications on the Great Wall were strengthened

b)

Construction on the Great Wall ended

c)

A long war began over who would control the Great Wall

d)

Some portions of the Great Wall were destroyed

20.

About how long ago did construction begin on the Great Wall?

a)

2,300 years ago

b)

23,000 years ago

c)

230 years ago

d)

12,300 years ago

21.

Which word best describes the scope of the Silk Road?

a)

Interminable

b)

Intergalatic

c)

Intercontinental

d)

Interstate

22.

Which of the following contributed most to the completion of the overland Silk Routes?

a)

The growth of powerful empires in Europe and Asia

b)

Trade between small, neighboring tribes

c)

China's hunger for foreign goods

d)

Competition from the maritime Silk Routes

23.

The Silk Road was named retroactively, in the 19th century. What does "retroactive" mean?

a)

Applying to something in the past

b)

Having to do with trade

c)

Arbitrary or random

d)

Referring to foreign cultures

24.

Historical records show that silk appeared in Rome in the 1st century B.C.E. This is ________ evidence that the Silk Routes were completed around that time.

a)

controversial

b)

indirect

c)

indisputable

d)

scientific

25.

Where would you be most likely to find a city along the Silk Road?

a)

In the middle of the desert

b)

On top of a high mountain

c)

On a remote island

d)

On the bank of a river

26.

Which of the following examples provides the best analogy for the movement of goods along the Silk Road?

a)

A waiter bringing food to a diner

b)

An electrical signal moving down a wire

c)

A mail carrier delivering a package to a home

d)

A runner passing a baton in a relay race

27.

What kind of effect did the Mongol Empire have on the overland Silk Road?

a)

Destructive

b)

Incidental

c)

Minor

d)

Stabilizing

28.

Place these empires in chronological order: A) Macedonian (Alexander the Great); B) Mongol; C) Han Dynasty

a)

A,C,B

b)

B,C,A

c)

B,A,C

d)

A,B,C

29.

Which of the following statements is an opinion?

a)

The Silk Road had a significant impact on the history of Asia and Europe.

b)

The Silk Road greatly benefited the civilizations it connected.

c)

The overland Silk Road fell into disuse with the breakup of the Mongol Empire.

d)

Traffic along the maritime Silk Road eventually eclipsed traffic along the overland route.

30.

Which of these famous structures owes its existence at least partially to the Silk Road?

a)
b)
c)
d)
31.

How did Venice differ from most European cities in the Middle Ages?

a)

It was on the eastern end of the Silk Road

b)

It had a large population of Chinese immigrants

c)

It was a center of international commerce

d)

It used paper money to buy and sell goods

32.

Niccolo and Maffeo Polo first traveled to China because they were:

a)

Curious about other cultures

b)

Fearful of foreign invaders in Venice

c)

Lost of the Silk Road

d)

Eager to conquer new lands

33.

What did Kublai Khan hope to learn from the Polos?

a)

Advanced technology, such as indoor heating

b)

How to establish democratic rule

c)

Details of European values and beliefs

d)

The safest route across the Silk Road

34.

Why was The Travels of Marco Polo so popular in Europe?

a)

It was co-written by a famous and respected author

b)

It was filled with action and adventure

c)

It described many technological innovations

d)

It was the first history book about China

35.

The Travels of Marco Polo combines which two literary genres?

a)

Biography and comic book

b)

Poetry and fairytale

c)

Nonfiction narrative and novel

d)

Encyclopedia and science-fiction tale

36.

Christians living under Kublai Khan's rule were:

a)

Required to pay higher taxes

b)

Free to practice their religion

c)

Respected more than Buddhists

d)

Deported from the Mongol empire

37.

What can you infer about 13th century Europe?

a)

It relied primarily on an agrarian economy

b)

It had better roads than the Mongol Empire

c)

It's kingdoms were smaller than Kublai Khan's

d)

It was dependent on the Silk Road for food

38.

Polo's absence from Mongol historical records might be cited by a ________ of The Travels of Marco Polo.

a)

fan

b)

publisher

c)

character

d)

skeptic

39.

What contributed to the abandonment of the Silk Road as a trade route?

a)

The death of Marco Polo

b)

The discovery of America

c)

Instability in the Mongol Empire

d)

The creation of a more direct path of China

40.

What goal did Christopher Columbus and Marco Polo share?

a)

Travel to Asia

b)

Navigate the Silk Road

c)

Meet Kublai Khan

d)

Cross the Atlantic Ocean

41.

What was the main purpose of the Great Wall of China?

a)

To prevent flooding

b)

To keep Mongols out

c)

To keep Koreans out

d)

To trade goods

42.

Which of the following best completes the analogy? Umbrella : Qin :: Gun Powder : ______________________

a)

Xia

b)

Qing

c)

Song

d)

Han

43.

Which Mongol ruler defeated the Song Dynasty?

a)

Marco Polo

b)

Genghis Khan

c)

Cai Lun

d)

Kublai Khan

44.

Explorers from which European nation arrived in China during the Ming Dynasty?

a)

Spain

b)

Italy

c)

Portugal

d)

England

45.

The creation of cast iron led to which invention?

a)

Plough

b)

Cannon

c)

Gun Powder

d)

Movable type

46.

Which conflict led to China’s division for several hundred years?

a)

Xinhai Revolution

b)

Warring States

c)

Battle of Red Cliffs

d)

Mongol Invasion

47.

Which European traveled to China and shared tales about his findings?

a)

Genghis Khan

b)

Marco Polo

c)

Kublai Khan

d)

Cai Lun

48.

What was the purpose of the Chinese Census taken in 2 AD?

a)

To unite China

b)

To build an armyu

c)

To determine China's population

d)

To explore neighboring territories

49.

Why was Emperor Qin buried with the Terra Cotta Army?

a)

To protect him in the afterflife

b)

To protect him from foreign invaders

c)

To protect him from tomb raiders

d)

To support him in his transition to the afterlife

50.

What was the main purpose of the Silk Road?

a)

To travel across Asia

b)

To trade across Asia

c)

To produce silk

d)

To invent silk

51.

Which religion was introduced in China in the year 250?

a)

Islam

b)

Christianity

c)

Buddhism

d)

Judaism

52.

Which common object was invented during the Qin Dynasty?

a)

Compass

b)

Plough

c)

Movable type

d)

Umbrella

53.

How did ancient China’s geography mainly impact their culture and civilization?

a)

Natural resources made them much more advanced than other cultures of the time.

b)

Natural barriers isolated them from other ancient civilizations.

c)

The people in ancient China were forced to adapt to the harsh climate.

d)

Rivers made it easy to travel to other ancient civilizations to trade.

54.

Why was the Taklamakan Desert mainly known as the “Sea of Death?”

a)

It was very cold there.

b)

It is full of poisonous snakes and extreme temperatures.

c)

Many traders died there while traveling along the Silk Road.

d)

The temperature was extremely hot all the time.

55.

How did the Himalayan Mountains impact the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers?

a)

The mountains blocked storms from the rivers.

b)

The mountains provided fertile soil for the rivers.

c)

The melting snow from the mountains created headwaters for both rivers.

d)

The mountains provided structural support for the rivers.

56.

Why is the Yellow River also known as “China’s Sorrow?”

a)

There have been many devastating floods on its banks.

b)

Many ancient Chinese were killed by the Mongols there.

c)

Many ancient Chinese were killed in a major battle there.

d)

Many people drowned in the river.

57.

Which product came from east and went to the west?

a)

Gold

b)

Grapes

c)

Horses

d)

Paper

58.

Which of the following was NOT a danger encountered by tradesmen on the Silk Road?

a)

Extreme temperatures

b)

Difficult mountains

c)

Roman soldiers

d)

Bandits

59.

Which event sparked the Age of Discovery, according to the passage?

a)

The closing of the Silk Road by the Ottoman Empire

b)

The takeover of Constantinople by the Roman Empire

c)

The desire of kings and queens to gain land

d)

The invention of the rudder

60.

Which statement is NOT true about the Silk Road?

a)

Part of the Great Wall of China helped protect tradesmen on the Silk Road

b)

All tradesmen on the Silk Road made the entire 4000 mile journey each way

c)

Tradesmen traveled in caravans with guards for protection from bandits

d)

The Silk Road connected major civilizations during ancient times

61.

Which of the following is NOT an accurate statement about the Great Wall of China?

a)

It has been named as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

b)

It is easily seen from the moon, according to NASA.

c)

It is over 5,000 miles in length.

d)

It was built to keep out foreign invaders.

62.

Which of the following is a true statement about the building of the Great Wall of China?

a)

It was only built by captured slaves.

b)

It was originally built with bricks.

c)

Many people were killed while building the Great Wall.

d)

The wall was only built during the Qin Dynasty.

63.

With which statement would the author mostly agree?

a)

The Great Wall of China should not be a Wonder of the World since it is crumbling.

b)

The Great Wall of China was effective at keeping enemies out of China.

c)

The Great Wall of China is an amazing engineering feat from ancient China.

d)

The Great Wall of China can easily be seen from outer space.

64.

Why was the Beijing palace mainly named the “Forbidden City?”

a)

It was heavily guarded.

b)

One could only visit the palace if invited.

c)

Only the Chinese Emperor lived in there.

d)

It had a moat around the entire city.

65.

Why did all buildings face south in the Forbidden City?

a)

It was not facing the sun.

b)

It faced the sun.

c)

It was symbolic for holiness.

d)

It faced cold winds.

66.

“The last emperor of China, Puyi, lived in the Forbidden City for twelve years after forced to abdicate the throne in 1912.” What is the best meaning of abdicating, as used in the previous quote?

a)

To neglect a responsibility

b)

To give up a position of high power

c)

To be kicked out

d)

To employ

67.

What was the main purpose of the Terracotta Army?

a)

To scare away tomb raiders

b)

To protect Emperor Qin in the afterlife

c)

To protect Emperor Qin’s palace

d)

To scare enemies of the Chinese

68.

Which of the following best completes the analogy? 520 : _____________ :: 8,000 : soldiers

a)

Calvary horses

b)

Horses

c)

Chariots

d)

Spies

69.

Which of the following happened first?

a)

Emperor Qin died

b)

The terracotta soldiers were customized

c)

Parts of the terracotta soldiers were formed in molds

d)

The terracotta soldiers were put into pits

70.

Which of the following is NOT true about the Terracotta Army?

a)

All the soldiers looked the same

b)

It was not discovered until 1974

c)

It only contained soldiers

d)

It was constructed for Emperor Qin

71.

Which of the following does NOT accurately describe farmers in ancient China?

a)

They did not own the land on which they worked.

b)

They had a lot of leisure time when they were not working.

c)

Most people in ancient China worked as farmers.

d)

Farmers were often required to also work for the government.

72.

Which of the following is an accurate statement about boys and girls in ancient China?

a)

They were allowed to chose their future spouse.

b)

Boys had it much harder than girls since they were the head of the house.

c)

Girls had it much easier than boys because they did not have to attend school.

d)

Both girls and boys were expected to respect their elders.

73.

Short hair was popular in ancient China

a)

True

b)

False

74.

Peasants usually wore clothes made from hemp.

a)

True

b)

False

75.

Cotton was introduced to the Chinese by Europeans.

a)

True

b)

False

76.

Small feet were seen as beautiful in ancient China.

a)

True

b)

False

77.

Wealthy Chinese wore clothes made of silk.

a)

True

b)

False

78.

Long beards were common in ancient China.

a)

True

b)

False

79.

Only the emperor was allowed to wear yellow.

a)

True

b)

False

80.

Black was typically worn for mourning in ancient China.

a)

True

b)

False

81.

Why was cotton preferred by the ancient Chinese over hemp?

a)

It was softer, cheaper, and warmer.

b)

It made them of a higher status.

c)

It was expensive and showed their status.

d)

It was more luxurious.

82.

Why did ancient Chinese monks mainly shave their heads?

a)

It showed their status.

b)

It showed their power.

c)

It showed they did not value appearance.

d)

It showed their resistance against other religions.

83.

Which of the following completes the analogy? Red : _______________ :: Black : Poor

a)

Mourning

b)

Death

c)

Power

d)

Joy

84.

Founder was born in Nepal, south of China.

a)

Taoism

b)

Confucianism

c)

Buddhism

d)

Legalism

85.

Believes in the idea of Yin and Yang- balance.

a)

Taoism

b)

Confucianism

c)

Buddhism

d)

Legalism

86.

Believed in Karma.

a)

Taoism

b)

Confucianism

c)

Buddhism

d)

Legalism

87.

Believes in the way and a universal force.

a)

Taoism

b)

Confucianism

c)

Buddhism

d)

Legalism

88.

Created by a teacher who promoted respect for your parents.

a)

Taosim

b)

Confucianism

c)

Buddhism

d)

Legalism

89.

Believe a “rebirth” on oneself

a)

Taosim

b)

Confucianism

c)

Buddhism

d)

Legalism

90.

Goal is to achieve Enlightenment

a)

Taoism

b)

Confucianism

c)

Buddhism

d)

Legalism

91.

Which of the following best completes the analogy? Siddhartha Gautama : Buddhism : _____________________ : Confucianism

a)

Kongzhi

b)

Lao-Tzu

c)

Karma

d)

Zhou

92.

Which practice was invented by a Taoist to improve the physical and mental state of a person?

a)

Meditation

b)

Tai-Chi

c)

Enlightenment

d)

Eightfold Path

93.

What prompted Confucius to begin his teachings?

a)

He disagreed with Taoism.

b)

He disagreed with Siddhartha Gautama.

c)

He saw the Chinese were becoming selfish.

d)

He saw the Chinese Dynasty was coming to an end.

94.

What was the relationship between Fu Xi and Nuwa?

a)

They were husband and wife.

b)

They were brother and sister.

c)

They were the god and goddess of agriculture

d)

They defeated Nian.

95.

According to Chinese mythology, how did the Chinese defeat Nian?

a)

They trapped trapped him in a cave.

b)

They killed him with a sword.

c)

They scared him away with firecrackers.

d)

A dragon killed him.

96.

In Chinese culture, what were dragons thought to control?

a)

The weather

b)

The Emperor

c)

The Moon

d)

The Sun

97.

Who is thought to have separated the earth and sky?

a)

The Yellow Emperor

b)

Nian

c)

The Dragon

d)

Pangu

98.

Which of the following was NOT invented by Shennong?

a)

Plow

b)

Axe

c)

Hoe

d)

Human

99.

What were yin and yang?

a)

The creators of humans

b)

The first emperors

c)

The light and dark

d)

The first Chinese

100.

The Spring Festival is similar to Valentine’s Day

a)

True

b)

False

101.

The Winter Solstice honors the year’s shortest day.

a)

True

b)

False

102.

The Night of the Sevens Festival celebrates lovers.

a)

True

b)

False

103.

Many ancient Chinese festivals are still celebrated.

a)

True

b)

False

104.

The Double Ninth Festival honors a good harvest.

a)

True

b)

False

105.

The Spring Festival celebrates the victory over Nian.

a)

True

b)

False

106.

The Moon Festival celebrates the winter solstice.

a)

True

b)

False

107.

Ancestors are honored during the Qingming Festival.

a)

True

b)

False

108.

Which of the Chinese festivals was the most important?

a)

The Moon Festival

b)

The Chinese New Year

c)

The Qingming Festival

d)

The Winter Solstice Festival

109.

When is the Lantern Festival celebrated?

a)

The last day of the Spring Festival

b)

The first day of the Spring Festival

c)

The shortest day of the year

d)

The ninth day of the ninth lunar moon

110.

Which of the following best completes the analogy? Qingming Festival : Honor Ancestors :: Moon Festival : _________________________

a)

Celebrate love

b)

Clean tombs

c)

Celebrate harvest

d)

Honor dragons

111.

Which of the following is not a tradition during the Dragon Boat Festival?

a)

Eat dumplings

b)

Dragon boat races

c)

Wear perfume

d)

Pray for a good husband

112.

Which of the following best completes the analogy? 2001 : Snake :: 2009 : ____________________

a)

Rat

b)

Tiger

c)

Ox

d)

Rooster

113.

Which of the following is NOT a typical personality trait of someone born the year of the horse, according to the chart?

a)

Likes to travel

b)

Attractive

c)

Popular

d)

Creative

114.

According to superstition, what happens when it is your zodiac year?

a)

You will have good luck.

b)

You will have bad luck.

c)

You will get a special treat.

d)

You will encounter good fortune.

115.

How was the order of the zodiac animals determined?

a)

The emperor chose his twelve favorite animals.

b)

The emperor chose twelve animals from a list of twenty.

c)

A race was held and the first twelve animals were chosen.

d)

They were chosen randomly from a book.

116.

Which two zodiac animals get along well?

a)

Rabbits and pigs

b)

Snakes and pigs

c)

Roosters and rabbits

d)

Ox and sheep

117.

How many years are in a cycle when the Chinese zodiac calendar is combined with the elements too?

a)

12

b)

24

c)

30

d)

60

118.

Which of the following is NOT an element used on the Chinese calendar?

a)

Water

b)

Fire

c)

Air

d)

Earth

119.

Which zodiac animal has the personality traits of honest, neat, practical, and proud?

a)

Rat

b)

Rooster

c)

Snake

d)

Horse

120.

Which of the following best completes the analogy? Jiju : Polo :: Chuiwan : ________________________

a)

Soccer

b)

Football

c)

Baseball

d)

Golf

121.

Which form of Chinese entertainment was developed during the Tang Dynasty?

a)

Playing cards

b)

Board games

c)

Opera

d)

Chuiwan

122.

When were ancient Chinese allowed to participate in entertainment?

a)

On weekends

b)

At night

c)

During festivals

d)

Anytime

123.

Which color was frequently used at weddings in ancient China?

a)

Black

b)

White

c)

Red

d)

Yellow

124.

What color was only the emperor allowed to wear in ancient China?

a)

Black

b)

White

c)

Red

d)

Yellow

125.

Which of the following best completes the analogy? 4 : Not Desired :: ______ : Desired

a)

6

b)

3

c)

8

d)

7

126.

Which of the following best completes the analogy? Blue : _________________ :: Brown : Industrious

a)

Immortality

b)

Death

c)

Happiness

d)

Growth

127.

Which number is mostly associated with dragons?

a)

4

b)

6

c)

9

d)

14

128.

Which of the following does NOT describe the Chinese Dynasties?

a)

A family ruled for an extended period of time

b)

Power was passed down, usually from father to son

c)

The Chinese believed the Mandate of Heaven gave dynasties power

d)

There were four main dynasties throughout ancient China

129.

Why do some historians debate whether the Xia Dynasty was China’s first?

a)

There is no archaeological evidence of its existence.

b)

The Shang were more civilized than the Xia.

c)

They did not have an emperor.

d)

They did not rule very long.

130.

Which of the following completes the analogy? Qin : Great Wall :: Ming : ________________

a)

Paper

b)

Porcelain

c)

Forbidden City

d)

Movable Type

131.

How were fireworks used during the Tang Dynasty?

a)

Used in warfare

b)

To ward off evil spirits

c)

To celebrate holidays

d)

To entertain people

132.

Which two religions were introduced during the Zhou Dynasty?

a)

Buddhism and Confucianism

b)

Confucianism and Christianity

c)

Taoism and Confucianism

d)

Taoism and Buddhism

133.

What was the original purpose of kites?

a)

An entertaining activity

b)

To signal warnings

c)

To signal celebrations

d)

To signal winners

134.

Which Chinese invention is the most important to the military?

a)

Wheelbarrow

b)

Kite

c)

Compass

d)

Gunpowder

135.

Which two Chinese inventions were most important to navigation?

a)

Rudder and Kite

b)

Kite and Compass

c)

Compass and Gunpowder

d)

Rudder and Compass