A monthly quiz of general history, traditions, geography questions for August
1. Lacquer is a protective coating often applied to works of art, from where is it obtained?
persimmon fruits
tree sap
snakes
Lacquer is normally made from the sap of the Lacquer tree. The solid resin is dissolved in turpentine and water and is applied in many, many thin layers to wood or paper to make a waterproof, antibacterial, durable surface that withstands modest heat.
A Chinese red lacquer tray over wood with engraved golden foil, from the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), dated 12th to early 13th century. As the Freer and Sackler Galleries museum description states, in China the gold-engraving technique is called qiangjin. The museum caption states that this method has existed since roughly the 3rd century AD, although it was not until the Song Dynasty era that gold engravings were found on luxury lacquerwares. After a wooden tray was covered with multiple layers of cinnabar-colored lacquer, fine lines were then incised into the new surface. These incisions were then filled with an adhesive of clear lacquer, followed by the pressing of gold foil into the grooves. The two long-tailed birds and a peony plant depicted in this tray are symbolic of longevity and prosperity in Chinese culture, since the Chinese word for "long life" (shou) sounds similar to the words for long-tailed birds (dai shou). Image by PericlesofAthens ➚ available under a Creative Commons License ➚
2. Which is NOT true of the Great Wall of China?
Shanhaiguan is at the eastern end
Five horsemen could ride abreast along it
It can be seen from the moon
It was suggested that it could be seen from the Moon long before space travel. This did not turn out to be true, the Great Wall is only a few yards wide, and features that small can not be seen from such a distance.
3. Loess is often seen in northern China, what is it?
type of insect
tall pagodas
fine calcareous sand
The fine, yellow soils of northern China are both a blessing and a curse. It is rich in nutrients but is easily washed away by rain. It is the reason that the Yellow River is yellow.
4. The eastern section of the Great Wall was extensively rebuilt in which dynasty?
Qing
Ming
Yuan
The Ming dynasty followed the Mongol (Yuan) dynasty in 1368. There was continuing concern that the Mongolians to the north might try to conquer China again. After unsuccessful military campaigns against them it was decided to spend huge sums building up the Great Wall defenses to keep them out.
6. How old was Puyi when he became the last Emperor?
11
3
7
Puyi became emperor on 2nd December 1908 when he was aged 2 years and 10 months. His predecessor, the Guangxu Emperor (his uncle) had died on 14th November aged just 37. His great-grandmother the Dowager Empress Cixi then died on the following day: 15th November.
10. Zhuangzi described a thinker musing whether he was in fact what kind of creature dreaming itself a human?
dragon
butterfly
ox
The Daoist thinker Zhuangzi wondered whether he was in fact a butterfly dreaming he was a person.These paradoxes are a feature of Daoist philosophy that was written down at least 2,000 years ago.
11. Mencius or Mengzi is a famous philosopher of which tradition
Daoism
Mohism
Confucianism
Without Mencius it is unlikely that Confucius would be known about today. In a situation rather like Plato with regard to Socrates; it was Mencius that refined and championed the work of his idol Confucius.
12. Who married the Republican leader Sun Yatsen in 1915
Song Qingling
Deng Yingchao
Song Ailing
Song Qingling was one of the famous three sisters who married leaders of early 20th century China: the banker Kong Xiangxi , Sun Yatsen and Chiang Kaishek.
13. Which country is NOT considered an Asian Tiger
Singapore
Vietnam
Taiwan
During the 1960s through to the 90s the Asian Tiger group of countries all showed rapid economic growth and persuaded China to take the same road to development.
In the Daoist tradition acupuncture is used to control the flow of 'qi' (which can be roughly translated as 'life force') through the body, it must not flow too sluggishly or too fast.
A range of traditional medicines with calligraphy extolling the virtues of TCM
15. In Singapore, ethnic Chinese make up what proportion of the population?
40%
20%
75%
The former British colony of Singapore was extensively settled by Chinese people over the last four hundred years. it is now one of the richest nations on the planet. The British handed over control in 1963 and it became self-governing 'city state' in 1965.
A monthly quiz of general history, traditions, geography questions for August
