October Quiz

A monthly quiz of general history, traditions, geography questions for October
1. Between the whole period 1990 to 2007 what was China's average annual economic growth rate?
25%
15%
20%
Chongqing, skyscraper
New, modern office buildings in Chongqing, 2014

2. The downfall of the Sui dynasty is mainly attributed to the failed military campaign to conquer which country?
Vietnam
Korea
Burma
money
Bu coins (spade money) of the Zhou Dynasty, China. Image by Zhou Yi, Dser available under a Creative Commons license

3. Yang Guifei was a concubine who became infatuated by which Emperor?
Yongle
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

4. When did China launch its first satellite?
1970
1995
1980
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

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

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

7. The British embassies to China led by Lord Maccartney and Lord Amherst both foundered on which problem?
Performing the kowtow
Exchanging gifts
Language translation
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

8. 'Sinkiang' is an old spelling of which Chinese place?
Xinxiang
Xinjiang
Shanghai
Xinjiang, goat, desert, wildlife
A flock of goats in the desert near the Tarim basin, Xinjiang

9. Where in China did Britain invade in 1903?
Guangzhou
Tibet
Xiamen
Shandong, beach, boat, coast
Old fishing boat on Ru Shan Shi beach, Shandong

10. Maotoi is a famous Chinese liquor, where in China is it made?
Shaoxing
Guizhou
Xi'an
Maotai, PKChina-42
Maotai spirit at Baijia Dayuan restaurant, Beijing. September 2019. Image by Paul Kerswill

11. 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

12. Which province is the hottest in July?
Guangdong
Jiangsu
Fujian
street , Xiamen, crowd, shopping
Xiamen street scene

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

14. The ancient examinations required learning the Confucian classics by heart, which consist of how many characters?
50,000
200,000
400,000
Confucius, Qufu
Temple of Confucius, Qufu, Shandong

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