October Quiz

A monthly quiz of general history, traditions, geography questions for October
1. Which city was known as Britain's front door into China?
Fuzhou
Shanghai
Hong Kong
Shanghai, bridge, road, cityscape

2. Maotoi is a famous Chinese liquor, where in China is it made?
Guizhou
Shanghai
Chengdu
Hong Kong, deity, Huang Da Xin, Wong Tai Sin
Huang Da Xin temple, Hong Kong

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

4. 'Sinkiang' is an old spelling of which Chinese place?
Xinjiang
Suzhou
Shaoxing
Jilin, autumn
Autumn in Jilin

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

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

7. The British embassies to China led by Lord Maccartney and Lord Amherst both foundered on which problem?
Performing the kowtow
Travel arrangements
Exchanging gifts
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. Wuhan was formed out of Wuchang, Hankou and which other city in 1926?
Hanyang
Huangshi
Yueyang
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

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

10. Yang Guifei was a concubine who became infatuated by which Emperor?
Wendi
Xuanzong
Qianlong
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. Blue and white porcelain is mostly associated with which dynasty?
Song
Ming
Tang
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

12. Between the whole period 1990 to 2007 what was China's average annual economic growth rate?
6%
20%
15%
Chongqing, skyscraper
New, modern office buildings in Chongqing, 2014

13. Which province is the hottest in July?
Jiangsu
Guangdong
Fujian
Shanghai, nightscape, people, street
Shanghai street scene

14. The downfall of the Sui dynasty is mainly attributed to the failed military campaign to conquer which country?
Japan
Vietnam
Korea
Mao Zedong, leader, communism
Mao Tse-Tung, leader of China’s Communists, addresses some of his followers. 6 December 1944 . Photo from Franklin Delano Roosevelt Library, available under a Creative Commons license .

15. Where in China did Britain invade in 1903?
Tibet
Tianjin
Guangzhou
taijiquan, Hong Kong
Tai chi show in Kowloon Park, Hong Kong
Image by Jakub Halun available under a Creative Commons license
Switch off sounds
Switch on sounds
Try another quiz