China: Quest for Knowledge

Read each section completely before answering. Write only the letter of the correct answer and include why you believe that is the answer.

Read “Scholar-Officials” p. 178-179

  1. In which sentence below is the word “grasp” used the same way as in the first paragraph?
  2. I tried to take the rattle from the baby but his grasp was too tight.
  3. The government in China had a tight grasp on its people; no one challenged them.
  4. That guy is amazing, he grasps every opportunity that comes by!
  5. Algebra was very hard for Billy; he couldn’t grasp the concepts.
  6. Which of the following is not true of Scholar-officials?
  7. Very few people reached their level because the exams were very difficult.
  8. They often became wealthy from people giving them gifts.
  9. They had to come from a wealthy and powerful family.
  10. They performed many important jobs in the government.
  11. Which of the following is a synonym for talented?
  12. skilledb. intelligentc. incapabled. civil

Read “The Mongol Conquest” p. 180-181

  1. What does the word brutality in the second sentence most likely mean?
  2. rapid speedb. great surprisec. massive violenced. large size
  3. What does the word “Ascendancy” in the last paragraph most likely mean?
  4. Time of strength
  5. Rise in power
  6. Dynasty
  7. Period of rule
  8. Based on this section how would the Mongols best be described?
  9. powerful and creative
  10. destructive and violent
  11. deadly and artistic
  12. foreign and militaristic

Read “Life in Yuan China” p. 181-182

  1. What words in the first paragraph give the best clue to what the word “resented” means?
  2. Mongol rulers
  3. Different ethnic group
  4. These foreigners
  5. Rude and uncivilized
  6. Which of these did the Mongols not do?
  7. Extended the Grand Canal
  8. Prohibited scholars from gaining power
  9. Built a new capital called Beijing
  10. Welcomed foreign traders
  11. Which of these helped the Mongols successfully rule china?
  12. They did not force Chinese to accept Mongols ways of life.
  13. They sent soldiers throughout China to keep peace.
  14. They paid for vast public-works projects.
  15. All of the above
  16. Which statement best summarizes this section?
  17. Though not perfect the Mongol rulers in China did many good things for China.
  18. The Mongols ruled the Chinese people harshly to keep control.
  19. We learned some of what we know about the Yuan dynasty from Marco Polo.
  20. The Mongols increased trade in China over both land and sea.

Read “Great Building Projects” p. 184

  1. What does the word “grand” mean in the first sentence?
  2. artisticb. valuablec. very larged. respected
  3. What can we most safely assume about the Great Wall from this section?
  4. The Ming rulers had a great amount of power.
  5. Many people died while building it.
  6. When it was finished China was not attacked again by northern tribes.
  7. It was made entirely out of bricks and mortar.

Read “Government” p. 186

  1. What does the word abolish in the first paragraph mean?
  2. to improveb. to eliminatec. to rebuildd. to protect
  3. How were government officials, also known as censor, chosen by the Ming?
  4. They had to be born into the Ming family.
  5. Judges were sent around to find quality leaders to join the government.
  6. Candidates took the imperial examinations just like during the Song dynasty.
  7. The emperor appointed powerful officials to protect his power.