WorksheetsAncient Chinese Philosophies
Total questions: 45
Worksheet time: 23mins
Which dynasty came after the Shang dynasty in China?
Han Dynasty
Zhou Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
What was the main concern of Chinese thinkers during the later years of the Zhou dynasty?
How to expand their territory
How to maintain peace and order in society
How to increase trade with other nations
How to build the Great Wall
Which philosophy suggests that rulers should lead by example, according to the first adviser?
Daoism
Legalism
Confucianism
Buddhism
According to the second adviser, how should a ruler govern if they must rule at all?
With strict laws and punishments
By leading with virtue and good examples
Rule as little as possible
Through military strength
What does the third adviser, who studied Legalism, suggest to the ruler?
To govern through religious teachings
To set clear laws and harshly punish those who disobey
To let the natural order dictate governance
To consult the oracle bones for decisions
Which dynasty did the Zhou overthrow to establish their rule over China?
Ming Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
Shang Dynasty
Han Dynasty
What was the belief that justified the Zhou dynasty's right to rule?
Divine Right of Kings
Mandate of Heaven
Right of Conquest
Feudalism
According to Zhou belief, what would happen if the king did not govern well?
He would be given a second chance by Heaven.
He would be overthrown by neighboring states.
Heaven would send signs of displeasure, such as earthquakes and floods.
He would lose his wealth and power.
What concept allowed others to overthrow the Zhou king if he lost the support of Heaven?
Legalism
Feudalism
Mandate of Heaven
Divine Intervention
What system did the Zhou use to increase the government's stability?
Monarchy
Democracy
Feudalism
Oligarchy
What did the lords do in exchange for receiving land from the king?
They paid taxes to the king.
They provided soldiers to fight against enemies.
They offered agricultural advice.
They performed religious ceremonies.
What led to the breakdown of the feudal system in China by the 700s B.C.E.?
The invasion of foreign powers
The lords of individual states became more ambitious and powerful
Natural disasters
Economic collapse
What was the historical period called that followed the breakdown of the feudal system and was marked by 250 years of disorder?
The Golden Age
The Warring States period
The Renaissance
The Age of Imperialism
What did some rulers do in response to the unrest and disorder in China?
They abdicated their thrones.
They went into exile.
They hired scholars to advise them on creating order and increasing royal power.
They divided their land among the peasants.
What are the "Hundred Schools of Thought" referred to in the text?
A collection of various educational institutions in ancient China
The name given to the three major schools of thought that emerged in Chinese culture
A literal group of one hundred different philosophical schools
A series of books written by Chinese philosophers
Which of the following schools of thought is NOT mentioned as having a major influence on Chinese culture?
Confucianism
Daoism
Legalism
Marxism
What did Confucius believe was necessary for society and government to evolve?
Strict legal codes and punishment
Trade and economic prosperity
Peace, order, and wise governance
Military strength and expansion
According to the text, what was Confucius' goal in educating men?
To prepare them for war
To serve society as honest and fair government officials
To make them wealthy and powerful
To convert them to a particular religion
What is the goal of Confucianism according to the text?
To establish a set of laws for society
To achieve a just and peaceful society
To promote the worship of Confucius
To create a new government system
How many basic relationships are identified in Confucianism?
Three
Four
Five
Six
Who traditionally held the position of civil servants in the Han dynasty, as mentioned in the text?
Common citizens
Sons of nobles
Foreign diplomats
Military officers
What book contains the sayings and teachings of Confucius?
The Great Learning
The Doctrine of the Mean
The Book of Rites
The Analects
According to Confucius, what should one do when they do not know something?
Pretend to know it
Avoid talking about it
Admit that they do not know it
Seek revenge on those who know
What is Daoism also spelled as?
Daozism
Taoism
Daosim
Taolism
According to tradition, who is the founder of Daoism?
Confucius
Laozi
Zhuangzi
Sun Tzu
What is the name of the work attributed to Laozi?
The Art of War
The Classic of the Way and Its Power
The Book of Changes
The Analects
What is the English version of the title "Dao De Jing"?
The Path of Enlightenment
The Classic of the Way and Its Power
The Book of Virtue
The Guide to Harmony
How many characters does the Dao De Jing manuscript contain?
5,000 characters
10,000 characters
8,000 characters
3,000 characters
What does the Dao De Jing preach?
A return to a complex and artificial way of living
A return to a simple and natural way of living
A return to a traditional and ritualistic way of living
A return to a hierarchical and structured way of living
What is Daoism based on according to the teachings?
The ancient Chinese idea of the Dao or "the Way"
The teachings of Confucius
The principles of legalism
The concept of filial piety
What does Daoism teach about gaining happiness and peace?
By acquiring wealth and power
By living in harmony with the way of nature
By following strict laws and regulations
By seeking fame and recognition
According to Daoism, how should people live their lives?
By seeking fame, power, and knowledge
By living simple lives of quiet meditation
By striving for fame and possessions
By engaging in constant activity and work
What are yin and yang in Daoist philosophy?
Types of meditation practices
Rituals to be performed daily
Opposing forces of nature
Historical figures in Daoism
According to Daoist teachings, what is the best way for rulers to govern?
By being overbearing and controlling
By ruling the least, allowing things to naturally follow their course
By enforcing strict laws and punishments
By seeking glory and expanding their empire
What was the main concern of Hanfeizi, the founder of Legalism?
Ensuring that people always followed their self-interest
Creating peace and order in society
Spreading the teachings of Confucianism
Ending the Warring States period
According to Legalist beliefs, what is the natural tendency of people?
To be altruistic and help others
To be orderly and follow government without question
To always pursue their own self-interest
To follow the teachings of Confucianism
During which period did Hanfeizi live?
The Han dynasty
The Warring States period and the Zhou dynasty
The Ming dynasty
The period of the Three Kingdoms
According to Hanfeizi, what must rulers have to prevent being overthrown?
Trust in their relatives
Democratic elections
Absolute power supported by military might
A system of rewards for good behavior
What was a consequence of criticizing the government during the rule of the Qin dynasty?
Promotion to a higher position
Banishment to China's far northern frontier
Being rewarded for honesty
Possible execution
What philosophy had an immediate influence on government in China at the end of the Warring States period?
Confucianism
Buddhism
Legalism
Daoism
Which Chinese philosophy is based on the belief that peace and order depend on proper behavior and that those in authority should lead by example?
Daoism
Legalism
Confucianism
Feudalism
According to Daoism, how can harmony be reached?
Through strict laws and punishments
By balancing yin and yang, the opposite forces of nature
By following the Mandate of Heaven
Through family relationships
What did Legalists believe about people?
People should live simply and in harmony with nature
People are driven by their own self-interest
People need to follow the example of their leaders
People should be hired based on their ability and knowledge
What led Han leaders to hire civil servants based on ability and tested knowledge rather than on family relationships?
Daoism
Legalism
The Mandate of Heaven
Confucianism
During the Zhou Dynasty, what practice helped to stabilize China for a time?
Legalism
Confucianism
Feudalism
Daoism
