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04 Ancient China and Its Political Traditions Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 04 Ancient China and Its Political Traditions, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions
01
True or false
1 point

The Shang is the earliest Chinese dynasty confirmed by extensive archaeological evidence and written records.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

02
Choose one
1 point

Which claim best explains how the Zhou justified replacing the Shang?

  1. A

    The Zhou claimed that the right to rule passed unconditionally by heredity.

  2. B

    The Zhou argued that a ruler could lose Heaven’s support through misrule.

  3. C

    The Zhou denied that Heaven had any role in political legitimacy.

  4. D

    The Zhou said only Shang rulers could receive Heaven’s support.

03
Written response
1 point

Which state conquered its rivals and unified China in 221 BCE?

04
Fill in the blank
1 point

The Eastern Zhou period includes the and the Warring States period.

05
Choose one
1 point

A ruler wants to apply the Daoist ideal of wu wei. Which policy best fits that ideal?

  1. A

    Rulers should impose detailed controls on every aspect of people’s lives.

  2. B

    Rulers should avoid burdensome policies and unnecessary interference.

  3. C

    Rulers should rely on lavish spending to encourage competition.

  4. D

    Rulers should govern only through rewards and punishments.

06
Choose all
1 point

Which two practices are associated with Shang divination? Select all correct answers.

  1. A

    Shang kings consulted ancestors and other spiritual powers.

  2. B

    Diviners interpreted patterns made by casting iron tools.

  3. C

    Diviners interpreted cracks in heated bones or turtle shells.

  4. D

    Shang kings used written laws instead of ritual consultation.

07
True or false
1 point

The Warring States period ended while the old Zhou political order remained intact and Zhou authority was still strong.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

08
Written response
1 point

What romanized Confucian term refers to ritual propriety and appropriate conduct?

09
Fill in the blank
1 point

Oracle-bone inscriptions are among the earliest substantial examples of .

10
Choose all
1 point

Which two approaches are consistent with the fa tradition? Select all correct answers.

  1. A

    Set clear standards and use dependable rewards and punishments.

  2. B

    Strengthen administrative control over the state.

  3. C

    Rely primarily on a ruler’s moral example.

  4. D

    Avoid policies that might influence people’s conduct.

11
Choose one
1 point

What political effect did control over bronze production and ritual practice have in Shang society?

  1. A

    Bronze was used only for farming tools and had little political significance.

  2. B

    Bronze production was controlled by independent regional farmers.

  3. C

    Control of bronze production and ritual practice reinforced royal and elite authority.

  4. D

    Bronze vessels replaced ancestral ceremonies.

12
True or false
1 point

During the Western Zhou period, regional lords received land and authority in return for allegiance, tribute, and military support.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

13
Open ended
1 point

Why can grouping Warring States thinkers into named “schools” be useful, yet potentially misleading?

14
Choose one
1 point

Which statement best describes the role of iron tools and expanding agricultural production during the Warring States period?

  1. A

    They had no connection to economic or social change.

  2. B

    They contributed to economic and social change.

  3. C

    They immediately ended competition among the states.

  4. D

    They caused the Zhou court to regain its earlier authority.

15
Choose one
1 point

In which region was the Shang political center located?

  1. A

    The Yangtze River region

  2. B

    The Yellow River region

  3. C

    The southeastern coast

  4. D

    The Tibetan Plateau

16
Choose one
1 point

What are inscriptions made on prepared ox bones or turtle shells, sometimes recording divination, called?

  1. A

    Oracle-bone inscriptions

  2. B

    Bronze casting marks

  3. C

    Bamboo tax registers

  4. D

    Silk court records

17
Choose one
1 point

Which argument did the Zhou use to justify overthrowing the Shang?

  1. A

    The Shang had abandoned bronze production

  2. B

    The Zhou had inherited an unchangeable hereditary right

  3. C

    Heaven had granted the right to rule to a worthy house

  4. D

    Regional lords had voted to dissolve the Shang court

18
Choose one
1 point

A regional lord holds land and authority under the Zhou king. Which set of obligations best fits the arrangement described for Western Zhou rule?

  1. A

    They were appointed only to perform court rituals and could not govern land

  2. B

    They received land and authority in return for allegiance, tribute, and military support

  3. C

    They paid tribute but were forbidden to raise or support armies

  4. D

    They were independent rulers with no expected obligations to the Zhou king

19
Written response
1 point

What is the name for the inscriptions made on prepared bones or turtle shells during Shang divination?

20
Written response
1 point

Mohists criticized policies that favored a ruler or a favored group. What broad outcome did they say political decisions should promote instead?