Study Guide for Unit 2B World History
Test Lessons 7-9
Describe a dynasty. correct answersdynasty: a line of rulers descended from one family , or line of rulers
from the same family.
Describe the Mandate of Heaven. correct answersHeaven had chosen a particular dynasty to rule. The
Chinese believed that Heaven supported the dynasty for as long as an emperor ruled well. Natural
disasters such as floods, famines, plagues, and earthquakes were taken as signs that Heaven was
displeased. If an emperor ruled badly and lost the Mandate of Heaven, the people could overthrow him.
What caused the fall of the Han Empire? correct answersThe Han rulers lost their grip on power.The Han
governed China with the help of a large bureaucracy of government officials. As long as the bureaucracy
was skilled, honest, and hardworking, China prospered. By 220, however, corrupt, or dishonest, relatives
and servants of the emperor had seized control of the government.
What was the Civil Service Exam? correct answerscivil service examination: a test given to qualify
candidates for positions in the government.
Who developed the Civil Service Exam and which other dynasty's used it? Who got rid of it? Who
brought it back? correct answersHan emperors created civil service examinations. Tang emperors also
used civil service exams to fill some government positions, the song dynasty. Kublai Khan got rid of it.
Only for the Ming Emperor to bring it back.
How did the Tang dynasty use the Civil Service Exam to fill government positions? Who participated in
them? correct answersEarly in the dynasty, however, emperors chose aristocrats for most high-level jobs.
Some officials were hired because their fathers or grandfathers had held high government rank. Some
were hired because of personal recommendations. Often, aristocrats gained positions by marrying into
the imperial family.Even the civil service exams favored aristocrats. The tests were supposedly open to all
except for certain groups, such as merchants, actors, and beggars. In theory, any man could attend the
university where students prepared for the exams. In reality, however, only the wealthy could afford
tutors, books, and time to study. As a result, aristocrats held almost all offices in the early part of the
Tang dynasty.
Test Lessons 7-9
Describe a dynasty. correct answersdynasty: a line of rulers descended from one family , or line of rulers
from the same family.
Describe the Mandate of Heaven. correct answersHeaven had chosen a particular dynasty to rule. The
Chinese believed that Heaven supported the dynasty for as long as an emperor ruled well. Natural
disasters such as floods, famines, plagues, and earthquakes were taken as signs that Heaven was
displeased. If an emperor ruled badly and lost the Mandate of Heaven, the people could overthrow him.
What caused the fall of the Han Empire? correct answersThe Han rulers lost their grip on power.The Han
governed China with the help of a large bureaucracy of government officials. As long as the bureaucracy
was skilled, honest, and hardworking, China prospered. By 220, however, corrupt, or dishonest, relatives
and servants of the emperor had seized control of the government.
What was the Civil Service Exam? correct answerscivil service examination: a test given to qualify
candidates for positions in the government.
Who developed the Civil Service Exam and which other dynasty's used it? Who got rid of it? Who
brought it back? correct answersHan emperors created civil service examinations. Tang emperors also
used civil service exams to fill some government positions, the song dynasty. Kublai Khan got rid of it.
Only for the Ming Emperor to bring it back.
How did the Tang dynasty use the Civil Service Exam to fill government positions? Who participated in
them? correct answersEarly in the dynasty, however, emperors chose aristocrats for most high-level jobs.
Some officials were hired because their fathers or grandfathers had held high government rank. Some
were hired because of personal recommendations. Often, aristocrats gained positions by marrying into
the imperial family.Even the civil service exams favored aristocrats. The tests were supposedly open to all
except for certain groups, such as merchants, actors, and beggars. In theory, any man could attend the
university where students prepared for the exams. In reality, however, only the wealthy could afford
tutors, books, and time to study. As a result, aristocrats held almost all offices in the early part of the
Tang dynasty.
