October Quiz

A monthly quiz of general history, traditions, geography questions for October
1. Maotoi is a famous Chinese liquor, where in China is it made?
Chengdu
Guizhou
Shaoxing
SunXinde, calligraphy
Calligraphy by the Chinese calligrapher Sun Xinde July 2005 Photo by Immanuel Giel , available under a Creative Commons license .

2. When did China launch its first satellite?
1970
1980
1995
china, space launch, rocket launch, long march
The launch of Long March 3B Rocket, Xichang Satellite Center, China. 1997 or 1998. Image by AAxanderr available under a Creative Commons License

3. Wuhan was formed out of Wuchang, Hankou and which other city in 1926?
Yueyang
Huangshi
Hanyang
Wuhan
Town of Wuhan on the Bank of the Yangzi River, with View of the Huanghe Tower, Buildings, and Boats. Hubei Province, China, 1874. Image by Boiarskii, Adolf-Nikolay Erazmovich available under a Creative Commons License

4. Where in China did Britain invade in 1903?
Guangzhou
Xiamen
Tibet
Huangguoshu Falls, Guizhou, waterfall
Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guizhou 瀑布. August 2005.
Image by WaitinZ available under a Creative Commons license

5. Yang Guifei was a concubine who became infatuated by which Emperor?
Wendi
Xuanzong
Wudi
Yang Guifei, tang dynasty
Color woodcut by Yashima Gakutei (Japan, c.1786-1868). Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Image by Gallery available under a Creative Commons License

6. The British embassies to China led by Lord Maccartney and Lord Amherst both foundered on which problem?
Performing the kowtow
Language translation
Sickness
Macartney, embassy, kowtow
William Alexander's drawing of the reception of the Macartney embassy to China. Young Thomas Staunton (kneeling not kowtowing) receives a gift from the Emperor. Image by William Alexander available under a Creative Commons License

7. Which province is the hottest in July?
Jiangsu
Fujian
Hainan
Gansu, Lanzhou, modern housing
Lanzhou city skyline, Gansu

8. The downfall of the Sui dynasty is mainly attributed to the failed military campaign to conquer which country?
Korea
Vietnam
Mongolia
examinations, Beijing
Examination hall in Beijing. John Clark Ridpath (1899)
Image available under a Creative Commons license

9. Which city was known as Britain's front door into China?
Beijing
Shanghai
Hong Kong
Shanghai, bridge, road, cityscape

10. What proportion of those who set out on the Long March reached the destination?
12%
55%
32%
Long march;rally
A Communist cadre leader addressing survivors of the Long March. Image available under a Creative Commons License

11. Between the whole period 1990 to 2007 what was China's average annual economic growth rate?
15%
10%
20%
Chongqing, skyscraper
New, modern office buildings in Chongqing, 2014

12. Blue and white porcelain is mostly associated with which dynasty?
Ming
Qing
Han
chinoiserie, plate, willow pattern, blue and white, pottery
Plate: round, flat with decor in blue in sk. Willow pattern. On the bottom of the inside a river landscape with buildings. Around this a lace-like border with outward-facing heads. Around a lambrequin burlap with flowers and spiral and honey cell patterns. Willow-pattern, Qing dynasty, about 1770. Image by Hallwylska museum available under a Creative Commons License

13. In a traditional betrothal what event could result in breaking off the engagement?
Becoming blind
Becoming unemployed
Seeing each other
wedding, marriage
Traditional Chinese wedding. 20th March 2009. Image available under a Creative Commons license .

14. 'Sinkiang' is an old spelling of which Chinese place?
Xinjiang
Xinxiang
Shanghai

15. The ancient examinations required learning the Confucian classics by heart, which consist of how many characters?
100,000
200,000
400,000
Confucius, Qufu
Temple of Confucius, Qufu, Shandong
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