October Quiz

A monthly quiz of general history, traditions, geography questions for October
1. What proportion of those who set out on the Long March reached the destination?
55%
12%
22%
Long march;rally
A Communist cadre leader addressing survivors of the Long March. Image available under a Creative Commons License

2. The downfall of the Sui dynasty is mainly attributed to the failed military campaign to conquer which country?
Korea
Japan
Vietnam
canal, junks
Xu Yang, 18th century painter from Suzhou, China; between 1736 and 1796. Image by Scan by Szilas available under a Creative Commons License

3. Yang Guifei was a concubine who became infatuated by which Emperor?
Wendi
Xuanzong
Qianlong
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

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

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

6. The ancient examinations required learning the Confucian classics by heart, which consist of how many characters?
50,000
2,000,000
400,000
Confucius, Qufu
Temple of Confucius, Qufu, Shandong

7. 'Sinkiang' is an old spelling of which Chinese place?
Xinjiang
Shaoxing
Suzhou
Buddhism , stupa, mountains, Shanxi
A large stupa in front of a Buddhist temple, Wutaishan, Shanxi

8. The British embassies to China led by Lord Maccartney and Lord Amherst both foundered on which problem?
Travel arrangements
Performing the kowtow
Exchanging gifts
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

9. Wuhan was formed out of Wuchang, Hankou and which other city in 1926?
Yueyang
Hanyang
Huangshi
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

10. When did China launch its first satellite?
1990
1970
2000
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

11. Where in China did Britain invade in 1903?
Shandong
Tibet
Tianjin
Guangxi, Yangshuo, bird, wildlife
Fisherman with cormorants trained to fish at Yangshuo, Guangxi

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

13. Blue and white porcelain is mostly associated with which dynasty?
Ming
Han
Song
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

14. Maotoi is a famous Chinese liquor, where in China is it made?
Shanghai
Chengdu
Guizhou
marriage, couple, people
Chinese wedding couple

15. Which province is the hottest in July?
Fujian
Guangdong
Yunnan
Inner Mongolia, dinosaur
Er Lian city (Erenhot), Inner Mongolia has many dinosaur remains and a gateway with two kissing dinosaurs
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