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Quiz about Chinese Classical Literature Quiz
Quiz about Chinese Classical Literature Quiz

Chinese Classical Literature Quiz.

Given the Chinese name of classical works, you should give the most common English translation.

A multiple-choice quiz by gpuyana. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Author
gpuyana
Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
172,671
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
277
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Question 1 of 10
1. One of the most famous Chinese classics has the Chinese name of "Sūn zi bīng fǎ". It has recently (in the last 30 years, as the book is almost 2500 years old) been adapted for everything western, from politics to sex. Hint


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Question 2 of 10
2. The Great Sage of Chinese Philosophy had its teachings collected and writen by disciples and postume commentators in a set of books named The Four Books. "Lùn Yǔ" is about human values. What is his English translation? Hint


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Question 3 of 10
3. Magical realism apparently is not a Gabriel Garcia Marquez creation, as "Xī Yóu Jì", tells a real story with real and fantastic characters, being the most famous the other "Great Sage" or "Splendid Macaque". What's the English name for "Xi Yóu Ji"? Hint


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Question 4 of 10
4. Luo Guang Zhong wrote the 14th century AD the epic novel "Sān Gúo Yăn Yì". What is it known as in the West? Hint


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Question 5 of 10
5. The Chinese novel "Hónglóu Mèng" written in the late 18th century is reputed as the paramount work in erotic and romantic Chinese literature. Its English translation is "Dream of Red Chamber". What is the other accepted English translation? Hint


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Question 6 of 10
6. The novel known by its Chinese name as "Shui Hu Zhuan" is one of the great translation paradox in Chinese Literature as almost three different English titles are accepted. Which of these is NOT an accepted translation? Hint


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Question 7 of 10
7. Now back to the Great Sage. It is believed that the first real application of Confucian State Politics was based on "Chūn Qiū", the fifth among the Five Classics. What is its English translation? Hint


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Question 8 of 10
8. The great novel "Ru Lin Wai Shi" is about the live of poets in China. Written in the Middle Qing Dinasty (1644-1911) by a writer konwn as the "Elegant Literator" who failed repeatedly in the Imperial Examinations and then turned to poetry. What is the English title for the novel? Hint


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Question 9 of 10
9. The first of the Five Classics is about poetry whose Chinese title is "Shi Jing". What is NOT an accepted translation for "Shi Jing"? Hint


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Question 10 of 10
10. It is believed that there was a "Sixth Classic" not currently included in the Five Classics not just because it would become "The Six Classics" but because the manuscript was lost a long time ago. What is the Sixth Classic? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. One of the most famous Chinese classics has the Chinese name of "Sūn zi bīng fǎ". It has recently (in the last 30 years, as the book is almost 2500 years old) been adapted for everything western, from politics to sex.

Answer: Sun Tzu's Art of War

 Written in the Warring States Period (7th to 6th century BC), this book is one of the most famous classic Chinese books and no doubt the best known in military strategy and politics. Few are aware that the theory of warfare that Sun zi developed is about avoiding warfare.
2. The Great Sage of Chinese Philosophy had its teachings collected and writen by disciples and postume commentators in a set of books named The Four Books. "Lùn Yǔ" is about human values. What is his English translation?

Answer: The Analects

 This book collects discussion among Confucius and his disciples about humanism and moral behaviour.
3. Magical realism apparently is not a Gabriel Garcia Marquez creation, as "Xī Yóu Jì", tells a real story with real and fantastic characters, being the most famous the other "Great Sage" or "Splendid Macaque". What's the English name for "Xi Yóu Ji"?

Answer: Journey to the West

 The story about how a Tang Priest made a long journey to India in order to fetch the Buddhist scriptures to China. The monk is a real historical character, but the story mixes reality with fantasy, as the monk is accompanied by three fantastic characters, former rebels of the divine law, one of them Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King.
4. Luo Guang Zhong wrote the 14th century AD the epic novel "Sān Gúo Yăn Yì". What is it known as in the West?

Answer: Romance of the Three Kingdoms

 It is an historical novel nevertheless some mythological references. One of the best ways to learn about the permanent conspiracies for power in Imperial China.
5. The Chinese novel "Hónglóu Mèng" written in the late 18th century is reputed as the paramount work in erotic and romantic Chinese literature. Its English translation is "Dream of Red Chamber". What is the other accepted English translation?

Answer: The Chronicles of the Stone

 This is the paramount work of Chinese classical literature. Written in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it is about the story of the declining power of a rich family. There are a lot of descriptions of social manners in late imperial China. One of the banquets in the novel became so famous that it is offered in some exclusive Chinese restaurants in Beijing.

It is said Nixon was offered by Mao with the menu of the banquet from the Dream of Red Chamber. It is also kown as The Chronicles of the Stone or The Dream of Red Mansion.
6. The novel known by its Chinese name as "Shui Hu Zhuan" is one of the great translation paradox in Chinese Literature as almost three different English titles are accepted. Which of these is NOT an accepted translation?

Answer: Tigers and Butterflies

 It is a novel about the rebellion by peasants oppressed and deprived of his farm land. Accepted English translations are "Outlaws of the Marsh", "Water Margin" and "All Men are Brothers". "Tigers and Butterflies" is a book writen by modern Chinese-european writer Han Suyin.
7. Now back to the Great Sage. It is believed that the first real application of Confucian State Politics was based on "Chūn Qiū", the fifth among the Five Classics. What is its English translation?

Answer: Spring and Autumn Annals

 For those who think that Confucius is just the master of State power immovability in China should read this book carefully, as it is about the moral foundation of state power and consequently the moral foundation of political rebellion. The "wish" of heaven is not to justify any kind of government, but only that one which brings the good to the people.
8. The great novel "Ru Lin Wai Shi" is about the live of poets in China. Written in the Middle Qing Dinasty (1644-1911) by a writer konwn as the "Elegant Literator" who failed repeatedly in the Imperial Examinations and then turned to poetry. What is the English title for the novel?

Answer: The Scholars

 This is a novel about poets meeting, poets drinking for long days and reciting even more. Life of the poet in Imperial China is the focus of this amazing book, about friendship and the worth of a life devoted to poetry among the hardships of daily life. Even political and social references are delightfully described with a lot of humor.
9. The first of the Five Classics is about poetry whose Chinese title is "Shi Jing". What is NOT an accepted translation for "Shi Jing"?

Answer: Poems and Odes

 The first collection of ancient Chinese poetry.
10. It is believed that there was a "Sixth Classic" not currently included in the Five Classics not just because it would become "The Six Classics" but because the manuscript was lost a long time ago. What is the Sixth Classic?

Answer: Classic of Music

 "The Classic of Music" completed the set of books on philosophy (The I Ching or Book of Changes), poetry (Classic of Poetry or Book of Odes), history (Classic of History), rites (Book of Rites), government (Spring and Autumn Annals) and music (Classic of Music). References about the Classic of Music are found in many classics, but the manuscript has never been found.
Source: Author gpuyana

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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Referenced Topics
Music   Literature   History   People   English   Government   Literature by Region   Poetry   Fantasy   Names   India   Philosophy   China   Chinese Language   The Classics   Poets   Chinese Literature   Tigers   Westerns   Gabriel Garcia Marquez  

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