October Quiz

A monthly quiz of general history, traditions, geography questions for October
1. Maotoi is a famous Chinese liquor, where in China is it made?
Guizhou
Shaoxing
Kunming
Shanghai, garden, pavilion, traditional architecture
Shanghai garden

2. The downfall of the Sui dynasty is mainly attributed to the failed military campaign to conquer which country?
Mongolia
Korea
Burma
Buddhism, temple, religion
Buddhist temple gate in Guangdong, China; including stone lions. Image by Chauchunyin available under a Creative Commons license .

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

4. What proportion of those who set out on the Long March reached the destination?
55%
38%
12%
Long march;rally
A Communist cadre leader addressing survivors of the Long March. Image available under a Creative Commons License

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

6. When did China launch its first satellite?
1995
1970
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

7. 'Sinkiang' is an old spelling of which Chinese place?
Xinjiang
Shaoxing
Xinxiang
Guizhou, waterfall
The famous Huangguoshu Falls in Guizhou

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

9. The ancient examinations required learning the Confucian classics by heart, which consist of how many characters?
100,000
200,000
400,000
Confucius, Qufu
Temple of Confucius, Qufu, Shandong

10. Where in China did Britain invade in 1903?
Tibet
Xiamen
Tianjin
mahjong, people
Mahjong game

11. Which province is the hottest in July?
Fujian
Hainan
Jiangsu
Ningxia, mosque, muslim
Mosque for Hui people, Ningxia

12. Wuhan was formed out of Wuchang, Hankou and which other city in 1926?
Anqing
Yichang
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. The British embassies to China led by Lord Maccartney and Lord Amherst both foundered on which problem?
Sickness
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

14. Between the whole period 1990 to 2007 what was China's average annual economic growth rate?
6%
20%
10%
Chongqing, skyscraper
New, modern office buildings in Chongqing, 2014

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