A monthly quiz of general history, traditions, geography questions for October
1. Blue and white porcelain is mostly associated with which dynasty?
Song
Han
Ming
Although the blue and white porcelain is mostly associated with the Ming dynasty some was made earlier once the cobalt blue from Persia (Iran) became available. Blue and white continued into the Qing but a wider range of colors were normally used.
2. Between the whole period 1990 to 2007 what was China's average annual economic growth rate?
15%
20%
6%
The economic growth rate of China has been spectacular since 1990.
3. In a traditional betrothal what event could result in breaking off the engagement?
Seeing each other
Becoming blind
Having an affair
In the old traditional system it would be the parents of the couple who would arrange the marriage often when the couple were very young. Often the bride and groom would not see each other before the wedding day and if they happened to do so earlier this could give grounds for breaking off the marriage.
4. The downfall of the Sui dynasty is mainly attributed to the failed military campaign to conquer which country?
5. Wuhan was formed out of Wuchang, Hankou and which other city in 1926?
Huangshi
Hanyang
Yichang
Wuhan stands at the confluence of the Yangzi and Han rivers. Wuchang was on the south bank of the Yangzi, Hankou and Hanyang on the north bank. The three nearby cities were merged in 1926.
6. Where in China did Britain invade in 1903?
Guangzhou
Tianjin
Tibet
To consolidate the grip on India and counter Russian threats, the British made sure that neighboring countries like Tibet and Nepal posed no threat. Captain Younghusband was sent to impose control and the Union Jack was flown in Tibet until 1949.
7. 'Sinkiang' is an old spelling of which Chinese place?
Xinxiang
Suzhou
Xinjiang
In the old Wade-Giles system of spelling of Chinese names 'k' was often used in place of 'j'. The pinyin use of 'x' does not give much of a clue that it is a hard 's' sound 'hs'.
8. What proportion of those who set out on the Long March reached the destination?
12%
55%
32%
Many people died on the Long March 1934-35 but many also joined for only part of the journey. 53% of the marchers were under 23 years old - so mainly very young.
9. Which city was known as Britain's front door into China?
Shanghai
Tianjin
Hong Kong
Britain was the main player in the early development of Shanghai as a trading center.
10. When did China launch its first satellite?
1970
1995
2000
Mao Zedong made rocket research an early development goal. So, when the space race between the USSR and USA was at its height, China launched its first large satellite into orbit on April 24th 1970.
11. The British embassies to China led by Lord Maccartney and Lord Amherst both foundered on which problem?
Performing the kowtow
Travel arrangements
Sickness
Up until the 1793/4 embassy of Lord MacCartney foreign visitors were content to perform the formal kowtow before the Emperor.
12. Maotoi is a famous Chinese liquor, where in China is it made?
Guizhou
Shaoxing
Xi'an
Maotai Liquor is distilled from a wheat and sorghum base; it is famous throughout China and beyond. It is distilled at Maotai, a town in northern Guizhou.
13. The ancient examinations required learning the Confucian classics by heart, which consist of how many characters?
400,000
50,000
2,000,000
Passing the grueling Imperial Examinations was a lifelong study. At examination candidates were expected to be able to provide exact recall of passages of text. For comparison the whole Christian Bible is about 800,000 words
14. Yang Guifei was a concubine who became infatuated by which Emperor?
Wudi
Xuanzong
Wendi
The great Tang Emperor Xuanzong after achieving much in his early years was besotted with Yang Guifei (aka 杨玉环) while in his sixties. She was born in Sichuan and became a Daoist priestess just at the time that Imperial court turned from Buddhism to Daoism.
15. Which province is the hottest in July?
Fujian
Hainan
Yunnan
Although Hainan is further south than Fujian and is hottest in June the prevailing weather brings lots of cloud to Hainan in July.