Ancient China, Pre-Quiz Review

True or False: Shangdi was a supreme god in early Chinese history who was believed to control success or failure in war, the harvest, the weather, and the overall well-being of China.

• True

• False

Why were oracle bones popular among early rulers in ancient China?

• For entertainment purposes and storytelling
• To use as musical instruments during ceremonies
• To serve as decorative items in palaces
• Oracle bones were used for guidance in making political and personal decisions.

Who is considered the founder of Confucianism, emphasizing the importance of personal ethics and morality?

• Mencius

• Zhuangzi

• Confucius

• Mozi

According to Laozi and followers of Daoism, what type of person is the most likely to find happiness?

• A person who seeks power and control over others
• A person who disregards nature and lives recklessly
• A person who lives in harmony with the Dao, follows the natural flow of life, and practices simplicity and humility.
• A person who values material possessions above all else

True or False: The Great Wall is made up of several smaller walls that were built, repaired, and torn down over the centuries.

• True

• False

What was a key principle behind the concept of the Mandate of Heaven in ancient China?

• The right to rule was granted by the gods and could be revoked if the ruler failed to govern justly and wisely.

• It was believed that the ancestors of the ruling dynasty chose the next dynasty.

• The Mandate was determined by the outcome of ritual combat between the emperor and a chosen challenger.

• Rulers had to be elected by the common people to gain the Mandate of Heaven.

What was the primary reason Qin Shi Huangdi implemented strict laws and harsh punishments during his reign?

• To foster economic growth and prosperity.

• To strengthen military power and expand territories.

• To ensure strict compliance with the law and prevent rebellion.

• To support the arts and cultural development.

Why did the Qin Dynasty have a significantly shorter reign than the other dynasties in ancient China?

• Failure to establish a centralized bureaucracy
• Lack of military strength
• Harsh rule of the first emperor, strict legalist policies, and monumental construction projects
• Peaceful coexistence with neighboring states

Which of the following were major goods produced in ancient China?

• cotton, sorghum, and nickel

• linen, soybeans, and silver

• silk, rice, and iron

• jade, ivory, silver

True or False: The Silk Road increased the spread of knowledge, languages, religions, and diseases.

• True

• False