DTW GED PREP

China has had a long history of cultural unity, with its roots stretching back to at least 1000 BCE. Key aspects of Chinese culture, such as the domestication of silkworms, the production of ceramics and jade objects, and the use of chopsticks, may even date back further. One of the most important unifying factors for China has been its written language, which emerged well before 1000 BCE. This written language became a significant tool for communication and helped maintain cultural continuity across vast distances and over long periods of time.

The early Chinese settlements were primarily located along rivers, which served as the main transportation routes of the ancient world. China’s geographical isolation played a crucial role in shaping its development. The country was separated from the Fertile Crescent by vast distances and natural barriers such as deserts and mountain ranges. As a result, there is no evidence of direct contact or mutual awareness between ancient China and the civilizations of the Near East.

A major figure in Chinese thought was K’ung-fu-tzu, known in the West as Confucius. Born in the 6th century BCE into the minor nobility, Confucius became a teacher and scholar whose ideas had a lasting impact on Chinese society. Confucius emphasized the importance of maintaining a harmonious social order. He believed that if individuals understood and respected their roles in society, fulfilled their duties, and honored traditions, then society would function smoothly and effectively.

The Han dynasty (206 BCE–AD 220) marked a period of significant development for China. During this time, China achieved a free-market economy and saw major technological and social advancements, including the invention of paper, the establishment of a universal law code, and the creation of a merit-based bureaucracy. The Han dynasty also saw the opening of the Silk Road, a major trade route that connected China with distant regions. This overland route stretched from Luoyang in the east to Constantinople and Alexandria in the west, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures. Along the Silk Road, goods such as horses from Iran, luxury items from Rome, silks from China, and spices and cotton from India were traded, creating a dynamic cultural and economic exchange between the East and the West.

EARLY CHINA

Directions: Choose the best answer to each of the following questions.

1. Before the creation of the Silk Road, the people of the Fertile Crescent and China:
   A. shared a common language and religion.
   B. were unable to domesticate horses.
   C. were unaware of each other’s existence.
   D. made war on each other repeatedly.
2. According to the information provided, which of the following was present in China as early as 1000 BCE?
   A. wine
   B. diamond jewelry
   C. steel
   D. chopsticks

1. Before the creation of the Silk Road, the people of the Fertile Crescent and China:

✅ C. were unaware of each other’s existence.

🟩 Explanation:
Before the Silk Road connected East and West, ancient civilizations such as those in Mesopotamia and China developed independently and had no direct knowledge of each other.

2. According to the information provided, which of the following was present in China as early as 1000 BCE?

✅ D. chopsticks

🟩 Explanation:
Chopsticks were in use in China by around 1000 BCE, while wine, diamond jewelry, and steel either developed later or were not common at that time.