October Quiz

A monthly quiz of general history, traditions, geography questions for October
1. Blue and white porcelain is mostly associated with which dynasty?
Song
Ming
Qing
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

2. The downfall of the Sui dynasty is mainly attributed to the failed military campaign to conquer which country?
Mongolia
Korea
Burma
Macartney, Alexander, military post, army
A military post that was common along the canals and roads in China. The stone building supports up to 10 soldiers. Painted by the official artist to the Macartney British Embassy to China 1793-94. The white objects are gunpowder alarms to notify adjacent stations of attack. Image by William Alexander available under a Creative Commons License

3. Maotoi is a famous Chinese liquor, where in China is it made?
Guizhou
Chengdu
Kunming
marriage, tea, ceremony, filial piety
Marriage ceremony tea

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

5. Which province is the hottest in July?
Fujian
Guangdong
Hainan
Heilongjiang, snow
Heavy snow at Shuangfeng forest farm, Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang

6. 'Sinkiang' is an old spelling of which Chinese place?
Shaoxing
Suzhou
Xinjiang
Shanghai, nightscape, people, street
Shanghai street scene

7. The ancient examinations required learning the Confucian classics by heart, which consist of how many characters?
2,000,000
400,000
100,000
Confucius, Qufu
Temple of Confucius, Qufu, Shandong

8. What proportion of those who set out on the Long March reached the destination?
12%
38%
32%
Long march;rally
A Communist cadre leader addressing survivors of the Long March. Image available under a Creative Commons License

9. Between the whole period 1990 to 2007 what was China's average annual economic growth rate?
15%
25%
20%
Chongqing, skyscraper
New, modern office buildings in Chongqing, 2014

10. Yang Guifei was a concubine who became infatuated by which Emperor?
Qianlong
Yongle
Xuanzong
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

11. Where in China did Britain invade in 1903?
Tibet
Guangzhou
Tianjin
Hong Kong, skyscraper, modern housing, view
The city of Hong Kong at night

12. Wuhan was formed out of Wuchang, Hankou and which other city in 1926?
Yichang
Yueyang
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

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

14. The British embassies to China led by Lord Maccartney and Lord Amherst both foundered on which problem?
Language translation
Performing the kowtow
Travel arrangements
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

15. When did China launch its first satellite?
1970
1980
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
Switch off sounds
Switch on sounds
Try another quiz