China Quiz: From Dynasties to Revolutions, What Do YOU Know About Chinese History?
Written by Jessica Holom
Last updated · 9 min play time
Emperors built it; revolutionaries modernized it. Take our Chinese History Quiz and tell us what YOU know about the "Middle Empire"!
"In a time of difficulties, we must not lose sight of our achievements." – Mao Zedong
China has had many difficulties and achievements throughout history. The ancient country has been home to many dynasties of emperors and, within the past century, a rise of revolutionaries. From Emperor Qin to Mao Zedong, China has evolved from an imperial state to a republic.
What do you know about Chinese history? Take our Chinese History Quiz to journey from ancient to modern China!
Test your History Knowledge
"Opportunities multiply as they are seized.” - Sun Tzu
Seize the opportunity to ace this Chinese History Quiz!
Which group did the Chinese try to keep out with the Great Wall? Who is the only woman to have led China? What Chinese leader took the country on the "Great Leap Forward"? What was the Cultural Revolution? Who was at war with China in the mid-20th century? If you think you know all the answers to these questions and more, show us by taking our Chinese History Quiz.
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Quiz written by
Jessica HolomJessica Holom is a freelance writer and digital nomad with a background in literature, art, and writing. She believes curiosity never killed a single cat and enjoys learning, world-exploring, and writing about both.
Chinese History Quiz Questions
30 Questions · 119 Plays · No comments
Question 1
Drugs have always been a source of control. What drug did the British flood China with, causing an addiction crisis?
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AMeth
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BMarijuana
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CCocaine
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DOpium
Opium
Great Britain was involved with China in two Opium Wars in the 19th century. After Britain created the addiction crisis by flooding China with opium, the Qing Dynasty banned it. This resulted in the British stomping their feet and eventually getting Hong Kong out of the tantrum. The Second Opium War was pretty much more of the same.
Question 2
The late-20th century democracy movement was crushed at which famous protest?
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AHong Kong Protest
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BTiananmen Square Protest
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COccupy Wall Street
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DMay Fourth Movement
Tiananmen Square Protest
Student-led protests toward freedom of speech and democracy sprung in Beijing in 1989, escalating in what's become known as the Tiananmen Square Massacre. The protestors faced a violent crackdown that is believed to have killed upwards of 300 people.
Question 3
The Great Wall of China was built to keep out what group?
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AThe Samurais
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BThe Portuguese
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CThe Bolsheviks
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DThe Mongols
The Mongols
China's mortal enemy, the Mongols, lived up north. As an early type of border wall, China sent up its Great Wall to defend against the Mongols. It stretched over 13,000 miles long; today, only a few hundred miles are left intact.
Question 4
Ancient China was ruled by powerful families. What were they called?
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AKingdoms
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BEmpires
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CEras
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DDynasties
Dynasties
Xia, the first known dynasty of China, began in 2205 BC, although Shang Dynasty was the first recorded. The final dynasty was the Qing Dynasty which ended in 1911.
Question 5
Which emperor built an impressive Terracotta Army to guard and serve him in the afterlife?
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AQin Shi Huang
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BMarco Polo
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CWen of Sui
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DWu Zetian
Qin Shi Huang
We know we're harping on Emperor Qin in this quiz, but what can we say – he was an interesting fellow. He believed in immortality, and he wanted to protect his early power in the afterlife. To do so, he built the biggest single tomb in world history and an equally impressive "army" to protect it. Each of the terracotta soldiers represents actual soldiers in his live army, with their features, ranks, and facial expressions.
Question 6
Zhang Qian returned to China with a map of this iconic route that stretched all the way to Afghanistan.
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ASilk Road
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BSpice Routes
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CAmber Road
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DSalt Route
Silk Road
The Silk Road dates all the way back to 125 BC (and even before it), and China's knowledge of this route is credited to Zhang Qian. He was on a mission for Emperor Wu when he was captured and imprisoned for thirteen years. But he did not return to China empty-handed. He mapped out the ground he'd covered which became the Silk Road, an important international trading route.
Question 7
In a brutal attack and seizure, who captured Shanghai and Nanjing in 1937?
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AGermany
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BUnited States
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CKorea
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DJapan
Japan
In 1937, the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out after years of rising tensions. Japan had invaded Manchuria in 1931 and, as things escalated between the two Asian superpowers, Japan captured Nanjing and Shanghai. In what was called the "Rape of Nanjing," several hundred thousand were killed, according to estimates. World War II saw the end of Japan's fight for imperialism, but the wounds of what happened still run deep today.
Question 8
With the aim to resolve the Vietnam War and create leverage over the Soviet Union, who was the first American president to visit China?
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AGeorge W. Bush
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BJohn F. Kennedy
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CLyndon B. Johnson
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DRichard Nixon
Richard Nixon
"Only Nixon could go to China," or so the saying goes. Nixon became the first U.S. president to do so in 1972. Meeting with Mao and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, other topics on the table were U.S. troop withdrawal from Taiwan and trade.
Question 9
This "city" was established in the Ming dynasty and now sits at the center of China's capital. Name that big palace complex.
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AForbidden City
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BHidden City
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CEmperor's City
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DWelcome City
Forbidden City
Chinese Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties called the grand Forbidden City home. The palace remains at the heart of Beijing and is actually made up of 90 palaces and courtyards across 1,600,000 square feet, making the Forbidden City the biggest palace complex in the world.
Question 10
Now, this group has got class! Which class of people were the most respected in all of China?
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AScholars
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BMerchants
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CCraftsmen
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DLandlords
Scholars
The elite class of scholar-officials was at the top of the social pyramid. Not only were they well educated and cultured, but they were politically driven and served as government officials.
Question 11
"We need to be down-to-earth and work hard." As of 2021, who is the current president of China?
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AShinzo Abe
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BHu Jintao
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CJiang Zemin
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DXi Jinping
Xi Jinping
Since 2013, Xi Jinping has been China's main man. He first served as vice president for five years, before being elected by the National People's Congress. Politics is in his blood, as his father, Xi Zhongxun, was an early comrade of Mao Zedong and served as China's deputy prime minister.
Question 12
Mao wanted to get rid of Capitalist and traditional Chinese influences. This resulted in what revolution?
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ACultural Revolution
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BFrench Revolution
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CSecond Chinese Revolution
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DConstitutional Protection Movement
Cultural Revolution
Another of Mao's campaigns that led to chaos, martial law, and, ultimately, the deaths of more than a million, the Cultural Revolution of 1966 aimed to squash intellectuals – and anyone who might be a direct threat to the party. The philosophy of Maoism – a type of Marxism that stresses the importance of peasantry – replaced traditional Chinese ideals and foreign influences, and the youth were encouraged to attack those who didn't adhere.
Question 13
What Mao campaign was intended to industrialize China's agricultural scene?
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AThe Great Leap Forward
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BThe Great Depression
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CThe Great Hope
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DThe Industrial Revolution
The Great Leap Forward
One step forward and two steps back, the Great Leap Forward was a plan that failed so hard that people were starving. Lasting from 1958 to 1962, Mao's campaign forbade private farming and attempted to industrialize the agricultural base into a commune system. Famine ensued, killing 56 million.
Question 14
"One country, two systems." What territory was returned to China in 1997?
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AMacau
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BTibet
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CTaiwan
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DHong Kong
Hong Kong
The British passed off Hong Kong after 156 years of British sovereignty, as per their agreement with China. Part of the deal between the two countries was that the capitalist economy of Hong Kong would be preserved.
Question 15
As China's most important political group, what party came out of the May Fourth Movement?
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AChina Zhi Gong Party
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BCommunist Party of China
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CChina Nationalist Party
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DChinese Peasants' and Workers' Democratic Party
Communist Party of China
The May Fourth Movement produced the Communist Party of China in 1921. The movement was a protest against the contents of the Treaty of Versailles, which split the German overseas territories between China and Japan after WWI. Although delegates were sent to Paris to witness the Peace Treaty, none signed it.
Question 16
Completed in 609 AD, what was built from Beijing to Hangzhou and is the longest of its kind in the world?
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AGrand Canal
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BYangtze River
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CWuting Bridge
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DSilk Road
Grand Canal
Running north to south in Eastern China, the Grand Canal stretches more than 1,100 miles, making it the world's longest manmade waterway. Connecting two major cities (Beijing and Hangzhou) and two major rivers (Yangtze and Yellow), the canal has served to ship grain to the capital and to feed hungry soldiers along the way.
Question 17
Mao is rising to power...When did the People's Republic of China form?
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A2004
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B1949
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C1931
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D1967
1949
Although WWII had ended, the civil war between the Red Army and Chiang Kai-shek and his Nationalist party was still raging. It all came to a head in 1949, when the Communist Party took power, declaring the People’s Republic of China with Chairman Mao at the helm.
Question 18
Civil war is a-brewin' yet again. Which two groups fought an 18-year-long war in 20th century China?
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AThe Red Army & the White Army
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BNationalist Party & the Red Army
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CThe White Army & the Communist Party of China
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DThe Communist Party of China & the Green Army
Nationalist Party & the Red Army
In 1927, Nationalist Party Leader Chiang Kai-shek ordered Communists massacred in Shanghai. The Communist Red Army arose out of this and, by 1931, the party and the Red Army were at war.
Question 19
Everyone has their wolfpack, even Mao Zedong. What was Mao's inner circle called?
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AGang of Four
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BArmy of Eight
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CClub of Six
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DTeam of Five
Gang of Four
The Gang of Four consisted of his last wife, Jiang Qing, and Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, and Wang Hongwen. After Mao died in 1976, the Gang's purported crimes against the public were brought to light, and they all went to prison for their hand in the Cultural Revolution.
Question 20
What revolutionary fuelled the Xinhai Revolution which led to the Republic of China?
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AMao Zedong
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BSun Yat-Sen
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CMark Twain
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DChan Siu-bak
Sun Yat-Sen
Sun Yat-Sen got "westernized" through his western education and set out to revolutionize his country. He led an uprising to rid of Chinese imperialism and claim independence as a republic. In 1912, he saw that dream realized.
Question 21
As the eleventh emperor of the Qing Dynasty, who was the last emperor of China?
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APuyi
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BThe Kangxi Emperor
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CMing Chengzu
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DNapoleon
Puyi
Becoming ruler at the age of 2, Puyi – and the idea of imperialism – was ousted during the Xinhai Revolution. During World War II, Puyi later became ruler of Manchukuo, a Japanese puppet state.
Question 22
Happy China Day! When is the National Day of the People's Republic of China?
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AOctober 1
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BJuly 4
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CNovember 6
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DFebruary 12
October 1
Celebrated during Golden Week Holiday, National Day marks the foundation of the People’s Republic of China on October 1st. If you celebrate it in Beijing, you can expect to see the traditional raising of the national flag at Tiananmen Square, followed by an enormous parade and, later, fireworks.
Question 23
Which Dutch-controlled island was seized by the Ming Dynasty in the 17th century?
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ATaiwan
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BHong Kong
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CMacau
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DJapan
Taiwan
From 1624, the Dutch claimed Taiwan under their colonial rule. General Koxinga seized the island in 1662, and the Qing Dynasty later annexed it.
Question 24
After Kublai Khan established his empire, he wasn't through being awesome yet. Which of the following did he NOT do during his reign?
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AInvent tea
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BHang out with Marco Polo
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CEnlarge the Chinese empire
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DAttack Japan
Invent tea
Kublai Khan had a lot on his to-do list once he was in power. He knocked out the Song Dynasty, brought Siberia, Mongolia, and parts of Europe and the Middle East into his empire, tried to conquer Japan (it was a no-go), introduced paper money to China, and even had a hang with Marco Polo. All in a day's work.
Question 25
First taken from the Dutch, Taiwan was then handed over to Japan after which war?
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AWWII
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BSecond Sino-Japanese War
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CFirst Sino-Japanese War
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DAmerican Revolution
First Sino-Japanese War
The late 19th century saw a brawl over Korea between the Qing Dynasty and Japan. Japan won. The Chinese acknowledged Korea's independence and also handed over Taiwan as part of the deal.
Question 26
This dude united all of China under one rule for the first time. Who was the first sovereign emperor of China?
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AGenghis Khan
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BTaizong of Tang
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CQin Shi Huang
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DWu of Han
Qin Shi Huang
Qin Shi Huang ruled China starting in 221 BC and formed the first unified Chinese empire. Turns out, he set a trend. For over 2000 years after, China continued to be ruled by emperors – more than 500 of them!
Question 27
This rebellion involved a self-proclaimed prophet, a cult, and the deaths of 20 million people.
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ACompatriots Rebellion
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BBoxer Rebellion
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CWhite Lotus Rebellion
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DThe Taiping Rebellion
The Taiping Rebellion
When Hong Xiuquan came on the scene during the Qing Dynasty, he drew followers pretty quickly. Claiming to see visions, he founded a Christian cult called the "God Worshipping Society" – a cult that became violent and rose into all-out civil war. The Taiping Rebellion took 20 million lives before Hong was found poisoned.
Question 28
China has had countless dynasties throughout history. Which one was the longest?
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AQin
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BZhou
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CShang
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DTang
Zhou
The Qin Dynasty was one of China's shortest, lasting only 15 years, while the Zhou Dynasty was the longest, lasting nearly 800. There's also the Shang Dynasty, Han Dynasty, Sui Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, Song Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, and Qing Dynasty, to name a few.
Question 29
Not even a great wall could keep the Mongols out. When they invaded, what dynasty did they form?
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AMing Dynasty
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BTang Dynasty
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CNorthern Song Dynasty
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DYuan Dynasty
Yuan Dynasty
The Mongols managed to hop the Great Wall and conquer China. In 1279, after Genghis Khan had laid the groundwork, his grandson, Kublai Khan, established the Yuan dynasty which lasted nearly a century.
Question 30
China's first great emperor got a lot done after uniting China. Which of the following did Qin Shi Huang NOT do?
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ABuild the first Chinese super highway
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BStandardize regional writing into a single national one
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CBuild the Grand Canal
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DExtended the Great Wall
Build the Grand Canal
First things first, Qin set about standardizing scripts and texts into one national language. Secondly, he ordered the 500-mile Straight Road built – China's first superhighway. And lastly, he expanded the northern border wall, which is part of the Great Wall.
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