The Silk Road

At the time of the Han dynasty, which people particularly threatened China from the north?

• the Huns

• the Romans

• the Persians

• the Japanese

Why is Zhang Qian often called the Father of the Silk Road?

• This teacher encouraged the exchange of ideas.

• This explorer opened the way for trade with western cultures.

• This emperor forced peasants to work on construction.

• This military leader made the highway safe for traders.

Why did people in China want horses from Central Asia?

• The horses were scarce in China

• The horses gave the Chinese a way to sell their silk

• The horses were larger and more powerful than Chinese horses.

• The horses were considered prettier than the ones in China.

What made silk valuable in the West?

• The Syrians thought wool was too itchy

• The Indians found cotton to be too expensive.

• The Romans wanted to use it to praise their Christian God.

• The Chinese were the only ones who knew how to make it.

One of the most important Roman products that trade along the Silk Road brought to China was

• fur.

• paper.

• livestock.

• glassware.

The Silk Road split into a northern route and a southern route. What was one advantage of taking the northern route?

• Oases were closer together

• Road surfaces were smoother

• Scenery was more attractive.

• Travelers were safer from bandits.

What was the most important reason why traders formed long caravans to cross the desert?

• to learn the route

• to lift heavy goods

• to protect each other

• to prevent sandstorms

Merchants used camels to move goods on the Eastern Silk Road. What animals carried goods on the Western Silk Road?

• dogs

• yaks

• goats

• elephants

Which part of the Silk Road exposed travelers to the dangers listed below?

• Lack of oxygen

• Narrow passes

• Steep cliffs

• Snowstorms

• the Tigris River

• the Gobi Desert

• the Iranian Plateau

• the Pamir Mountains

Why did the Western Silk Road end at Mediterranean ports such as Antioch?

• After such a long journey, most traders wanted to stop.

• Most of the goods the Chinese wanted came from that region.

• Goods could be loaded there onto ships to be taken to other lands.

• The Roman Empire did not allow Chinese goods within its borders.