The Silk Road

Which of the following best describes the Silk Road?

• a single road that extended across Asia

• a route that connected western Europe to eastern Europe

• a route that was used to bring silk from Rome to China

• a network of trade routes that extended across Asia

The western end of the Silk Road connected to the

• Atlantic Ocean

• Mediterranean Sea

• Pacific Ocean

• Indian Ocean

The Silk Road was important because

• it helped the Han empire control the Mediterranean region

• it extended a thousand miles across Asia

• it linked Asian and western cultures for more a thousand years

• it connected the Han and Egyptian empires

Which of these is an example of an idea spread by the Silk Road?

• silkworms

• glassware

• Buddhism

• spices

Chinese explorer Zhang Qian is known as the Father of the Silk Road because

• he helped the Chinese form an alliance against their northern enemy, the Huns.

• he was the first person to introduce grapes to China

• he opened the way for trade between China and its western neighbors

• he led teams of peasants who worked to build the Silk Road

In ancient times, silk was a valuable good for China to trade because

• the journey eastward to obtain it was dangerous

• it wore out quickly and had to be replaced

• only the Chinese knew how to make it.

• it could be made into colorful silk banners.

Silk is a fiber that comes from

• silk plants

• silkworm cocoons

• silk leaves

• all of the above

Which of the following Roman products was most valued by the Chinese?

• togas

• banners

• horses

• glassware

The Great Wall of China lay to the north of part of the Eastern Silk Road. How did the Great Wall affect travelers on the Silk Road?

• Travelers had to climb over the Great Wall to continue their journey.

• Travelers walked on the Great Wall to continue their journey.

• The Great Wall prevented travelers from continuing their journey.

• The Great Wall gave protection against bandits from the north.

Which of the following would most likely have been the greatest danger to traders crossing the Taklimakan Desert?

• sandstorms

• camels

• floods

• oases