A monthly quiz of general history, traditions, geography questions for October
1. Yang Guifei was a concubine who became infatuated by which Emperor?
Wudi
Xuanzong
Yongle
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.
Color woodcut by Yashima Gakutei (Japan, c.1786-1868). Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Image by Gallery ➚ available under a Creative Commons License ➚
2. Maotoi is a famous Chinese liquor, where in China is it made?
Chengdu
Shanghai
Guizhou
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.
Street calligrapher, Urumqi
3. The downfall of the Sui dynasty is mainly attributed to the failed military campaign to conquer which country?
4. In a traditional betrothal what event could result in breaking off the engagement?
Joining the army
Seeing each other
Becoming blind
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.
5. 'Sinkiang' is an old spelling of which Chinese place?
Xinjiang
Shaoxing
Xinxiang
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'.
6. The ancient examinations required learning the Confucian classics by heart, which consist of how many characters?
400,000
2,000,000
200,000
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
9. Blue and white porcelain is mostly associated with which dynasty?
Song
Ming
Tang
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.
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 ➚
10. The British embassies to China led by Lord Maccartney and Lord Amherst both foundered on which problem?
Performing the kowtow
Travel arrangements
Language translation
Up until the 1793/4 embassy of Lord MacCartney foreign visitors were content to perform the formal kowtow before the Emperor.
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 ➚
11. Where in China did Britain invade in 1903?
Tibet
Shandong
Guangzhou
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.
Wuhan street scene, 2018
12. Which city was known as Britain's front door into China?
Shanghai
Beijing
Tianjin
Britain was the main player in the early development of Shanghai as a trading center.
13. 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.
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 ➚
14. When did China launch its first satellite?
1980
1970
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.
The launch of Long March 3B Rocket, Xichang Satellite Center, China. 1997 or 1998. Image by AAxanderr ➚ available under a Creative Commons License ➚
15. What proportion of those who set out on the Long March reached the destination?
12%
32%
55%
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.
A Communist cadre leader addressing survivors of the Long March. Image available under a Creative Commons License ➚
A monthly quiz of general history, traditions, geography questions for October
