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L20 - The Shang Dynasty

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 7mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

In which area of China, as shown on the map, did the Shang dynasty rule?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

2.

How did Zhou, a frontier state, most affect the Shang dynasty?

a)

Jade mines in Zhou made the king wealthy.

b)

Warriors from Zhou led the royal army.

c)

Travelers through Zhou promoted foreign trade.

d)

Rebels from Zhou overthrew the king.

3.

How did scholars learn that the Shang dynasty was real and not just a myth?

a)

They found artifacts.

b)

They read old books.

c)

They asked Chinese elders.

d)

They learned the language.

4.

How may the Shang king and his nobles have weakened their economy?

a)

They bought more and more land.

b)

They spent too much on their palaces.

c)

They discouraged trade with other regions.

d)

They rarely paid artisans for their work.

5.

In the Shang civilization, Anyang was an important city because

a)

it was home to many skilled artisans.

b)

many royal tombs are located there.

c)

it was where the king lived.

d)

all of the above.

6.

Shang warriors wore helmets like this one. What technology did the Shang use to make strong helmets?

a)

shaping a mixture of copper and tin

b)

letting pottery harden in a mold

c)

weaving bamboo strips into a mat

d)

soaking wood in salt water

7.

What led archaeologists to conclude that the Shang believed in life after death?

a)

studying the position in which bodies were laid out

b)

seeing pots used for ceremonies in the temples

c)

figuring out the characters carved into bones

d)

finding food and weapons buried with kings

8.

If two nobles from distant parts of China met during the Shang dynasty, what would be the easiest way for them to communicate?

a)

by fighting, because they fought with the same weapons

b)

by writing, because they wrote with the same characters

c)

by trading, because they used the same type of money

d)

by speaking, because they spoke the same language

9.

What most helped Shang kings stay in power?

a)

use of a powerful army

b)

marriage into wealthy families

c)

belief in magical dragons

d)

kindness to ordinary people

10.

For what purpose would a Shang leader most likely use an oracle bone made from a turtle shell?

a)

to ask advice from his ancestors

b)

to serve a ceremonial meal

c)

to make music for his family

d)

to send messages to the nobles

11.

Shang weapons were especially strong because skilled artisans made these objects from

a)

bones

b)

bronze

c)

stone

d)

iron

12.

What often happened to people the Shang captured in wars?

a)

They learned the skills to become artisans.

b)

They worked on construction, as slaves.

c)

They married into the royal family.

d)

They were given land to start new farms.

13.

What have scholars concluded from the large number of wild animal bones found at Shang sites?

a)

The Shang were active hunters.

b)

The Shang rode elephants.

c)

The Shang feared animal attacks.

d)

The Shang kept livestock.

14.

The modern Chinese word for “merchant” is shang ren, which means “Shang man.” What does this suggest about Shang culture?

a)

The Shange traded a great deal.

b)

Most Shang could read and write

c)

The Shang used cowrie shells as money.

d)

Most Shang could read and write.

15.

Which of these Shang people had the lowest social status?

a)

merchants

b)

grain farmers

c)

stonemasons

d)

jade carvers