Quiz for Document Project 13: Song Intellectual and Cultural Life

1. Question

   In all likelihood, how many of the candidates shown taking the civil service exam would have passed (see Document 13.1)?

   A.

   All of them

   B.

   Most of them

   C.

   Half of them

   D.

   Very few of them

   Correct: The answer is d. The civil service exam was extremely difficult, and many more candidates took the test than passed. Candidates often had to take the test several times before they passed, and many were never successful.

   Incorrect: The answer is d. The civil service exam was extremely difficult, and many more candidates took the test than passed. Candidates often had to take the test several times before they passed, and many were never successful.

   In all likelihood, how many of the candidates shown taking the civil service exam would have passed (see Document 13.1)?

2. Question

   The presence of camel trains in Kaifeng provides evidence of (see Document 13.2)

   A.

   the city’s desert climate.

   B.

   the love of Chinese elites for all things exotic.

   C.

   China’s robust long-distance trade.

   D.

   China’s dependence on the Middle East for basic commodities.

   Correct: The answer is c. Camels played a key role in long-distance trade across Eurasia. In the seventeenth century, for example, camel trains were used to export tea to Russia.

   Incorrect: The answer is c. Camels played a key role in long-distance trade across Eurasia. In the seventeenth century, for example, camel trains were used to export tea to Russia.

   The presence of camel trains in Kaifeng provides evidence of (see Document 13.2)

3. Question

   Which of the following best describes the social background of the people seen crossing the bridge in Kaifeng (see Document 13.3)?

   A.

   Middle class

   B.

   Poor

   C.

   Rich

   D.

   A mix of rich, poor, and middle class

   Correct: The answer is d. While rich and poor lived very different lives in Song China, all groups rubbed shoulders in China’s crowded city streets.

   Incorrect: The answer is d. While rich and poor lived very different lives in Song China, all groups rubbed shoulders in China’s crowded city streets.

   Which of the following best describes the social background of the people seen crossing the bridge in Kaifeng (see Document 13.3)?

4. Question

   The resources Emperor Hui Tsung devoted to the transport of “pierced stones and strange shaped trees” provide evidence of (see Document 13.4)

   A.

   the devotion of Hui Tsung to magic and mysticism.

   B.

   Chinese elites’ passion for collecting rare and unusual objects.

   C.

   the decadence of the Song court.

   D.

   the growing consumerism of Chinese elites.

   Correct: The answer is b. Chinese elites, including the emperor, were often devoted to the collection of antiques, art, and unusual objects.

   Incorrect: The answer is b. Chinese elites, including the emperor, were often devoted to the collection of antiques, art, and unusual objects.

   The resources Emperor Hui Tsung devoted to the transport of “pierced stones and strange shaped trees” provide evidence of (see Document 13.4)