AP Chinese Chinese: Cultural Knowledge & Comparisons 3

Question 1

Which dynasty is credited with building the first unified Great Wall of China?

Accepted Answer

Qin Dynasty

Answer

The Qin Dynasty under Emperor Qin Shi Huang connected and extended existing walls into the first unified Great Wall around 221–206 BCE.

Question 2

The Chinese practice of feng shui (风水) primarily concerns:

Accepted Answer

Arranging spaces to harmonize with natural energy flows

Answer

Feng shui is the art of arranging living and working environments to achieve harmony with the surrounding natural energy (qi).

Question 3

Which of these is a key difference between Chinese New Year celebrations in China versus Chinese-American communities in the US?

Accepted Answer

US celebrations often include public parades open to all, while China emphasizes private family reunions

Answer

While family reunion dinners are central in China, Chinese-American communities often hold public parades and community events that are open to all.

Question 4

The concept of 'yin and yang' (阴阳) in Chinese philosophy represents:

Accepted Answer

The complementary, interdependent nature of opposing forces

Answer

Yin and yang describes how opposite forces are complementary and interconnected, each containing the seed of the other.

Question 5

In traditional Chinese opera (京剧), a painted white face typically represents:

Accepted Answer

A treacherous or cunning villain

Answer

In Peking Opera (京剧), white face paint conventionally signals a deceitful, sinister, or villainous character.

AP Practice Test