Q 01/05

Which dynasty is traditionally considered the first historically verified dynasty of China?

A) Xia

B) Zhou

C) Shang

D) Qin

Answer · why

C) Shang

While the Xia dynasty appears in traditional histories, the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE) is the earliest dynasty confirmed by archaeological evide...

Q 02/05

What material were the earliest Chinese oracle bones primarily made from?

A) Carved jade and stone tablets

B) Cast bronze ritual plates

C) Turtle shells and ox scapulae

D) Bamboo and wooden writing slips

Answer · why

C) Turtle shells and ox scapulae

Turtle shells and ox scapulae were heated until they cracked, and diviners read the cracks; villagers later ground the bones up as 'dragon bones' for ...

Q 03/05

Who was the first Emperor of a unified China?

A) Emperor Taizong of Tang

B) Liu Bang

C) King Wen of Zhou

D) Qin Shi Huang

Answer · why

D) Qin Shi Huang

Qin Shi Huang (259–210 BCE) conquered all rival states and unified China in 221 BCE, establishing the Qin dynasty. He standardized weights, measures, ...

Q 04/05

What massive construction project did China's first emperor initiate to protect the northern border?

A) The Great Wall

B) The Grand Canal

C) The Forbidden City

D) The Terracotta Army

Answer · why

A) The Great Wall

The Great Wall: after General Meng Tian drove the Xiongnu from the Ordos around 215 BCE, the emperor linked older state walls into one northern barrie...

Q 05/05

In what year was the Terracotta Army discovered by farmers digging a well?

A) 1961

B) 1974

C) 1982

D) 1956

Answer · why

B) 1974

Farmers digging a well near Mount Li, outside Xi'an, hit the first fragments in March 1974; the pits hold an estimated 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots an...