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General Chinese History Trivia Quiz

This quiz is on Chinese history. There are questions concerning ancient as well as modern facts. Some are basic, but some will be fairly tough for casual buffs --- so be forewarned. All the names are in the official Pinyin system.

A multiple-choice quiz by ensiform. Estimated time: 4 mins.

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Author
ensiform

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
53,842

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
2456

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Mao Zedong's fourth wife rose to a degree of power unmatched by any other female Communist leader, even a degree that only a few Chinese women before her had attained. She led the infamous 'Gang of Four.' What was her name? Hint

Deng Xiaopeng

Jiang Qing

Tien-wei Wu

He Zizhen

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Question 2 of 10

2. This dynasty (c. BC 1723-c. BC 1046) was the first historical dynasty, marked by literacy (including a 2,000 character writing system), bronze working, and elaborate religious services. Hint

Tung

Sui

Zhou

Shang

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Question 3 of 10

3. A few women have ruled China in practice, but only one named herself emperor, without the pretext of a male on the throne. Who was this extraordinary woman? Hint

Wu Zetian

Lu Xun

Ying Ying

Ding Ling

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Question 4 of 10

4. This Chinese philosopher who believed in a moral hierarchy is credited with writing the 'Lun yu', a treatise on submission to proper authority and gentlemanly benevolence to inferiors. We know it as 'The Analects'. Hint

Mencius

Juan Yin

Lao-tse

Confucius

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. What practice that was thought to beautify the feet was common among women of noble birth in ancient China (though the custom lingered on until relatively modern times)? Hint

tattooing the soles

toe elongation

ankle piercing

footbinding

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Question 6 of 10

6. What profession was Ding Ling? Hint

doctor

writer

premier

warrior

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Question 7 of 10

7. What dynasty preceded the Qing? Hint

Sung

Han

Sui

Ming

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Question 8 of 10

8. The Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) was a foreign-run dynasty. What warrior group ruled China at this time? (Hint: these guys got around at this time, including in eastern Europe.) Hint

Japanese

Visigoths

Vikings

Mongols

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. This port city and former capital, occupied by the Japanese from 1937 to 1945, was the site of a massacre in 1937. Hint

Nanjing

Hangzhou

Beijing

Shanghai

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. In 1860, the emperor's Summer Palace, an expanse of buildings of exquisite craftsmanship and beauty, was burned by an Anglo-French expedition in revenge for Chinese attacks on Europeans. Who headed the expedition? Hint

Lord Macartney

Lord Elgin

Viscount Montgomery

Viscount Slim

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Jiang Qing

Deng Xiopeng was a man and Mao's successor. He Zizhen was Mao's previous wife. Ironically, though Jiang Qing ruthlessly condemned Western culture during the Cultural Revolution, she was an actress before her political life and played roles in many Western plays.

2. This dynasty (c. BC 1723-c. BC 1046) was the first historical dynasty, marked by literacy (including a 2,000 character writing system), bronze working, and elaborate religious services.

Answer: Shang

The Xia is traditionally called the first dynasty, but the Shang is the first dynasty for which historical evidence exists.

3. A few women have ruled China in practice, but only one named herself emperor, without the pretext of a male on the throne. Who was this extraordinary woman?

Answer: Wu Zetian

Also known as Wu Chao, Empress Wu ruled during the Tang dynasty, 690-705. She came to power through marriage to the then-emperor and then the ruthless disposal of her male and female rivals. Note that the very forceful dowager empress Cixi ruled 1861-1908, but always behind weak {males;} she never officially attained the throne.

Answer: Confucius

Confucius lived 551-497 BC. Mencius was Confucius' follower, while Lao-tse was the founder of Taoism.

5. What practice that was thought to beautify the feet was common among women of noble birth in ancient China (though the custom lingered on until relatively modern times)?

Answer: footbinding

This practice, which involved unnaturally crushing the feet with bandages to make them small, originated in the 9th century among dancers. By late imperial times, 50-80 percent of women did it. Only the lowest classes and ethnic minorities retained their natural feet.

It was most popular in central {China;} there was also regional variation. Small feet were called 'Golden Lotus' for their attractiveness. Three-inch feet were the ideal. It also kept women at home and dependent.

6. What profession was Ding Ling?

Answer: writer

Ding Ling was the first revolutionary writing with a strong female consciousness. Born in 1904 a large but undisciplined family, she grew up among radicalized, modernized women. She is known for the works 'Mother' and 'Miss Sophie's Diary.'

7. What dynasty preceded the Qing?

Answer: Ming

The Ming (1368-1644) was the last dynasty that was run by Han (Chinese); the Qing was a Manchu dynasty.

8. The Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) was a foreign-run dynasty. What warrior group ruled China at this time? (Hint: these guys got around at this time, including in eastern Europe.)

Answer: Mongols

Kublai Khan, Mongol ruler, set up the Yuan dynasty, which was not too destructive for China. The Mongols based their government mainly on the existing Chinese system, and they expanded commerce and encouraged artisans and arts.

9. This port city and former capital, occupied by the Japanese from 1937 to 1945, was the site of a massacre in 1937.

Answer: Nanjing

The 'Rape Of Nanjing,' as it is known, included some 200,000 civilians and some pretty indecent treatment of survivors.

Answer: Lord Elgin

Lord Elgin led the force into Beijing, and oversaw much plunder, but to his credit also stopped much plunder and tried to protect civilians. (Incidentally, Macartney was a diplomat who met the Chinese emperor in 1793. Montgomery and Slim are WWII generals.)

Source: Author ensiform

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