[ 405 ] Geography and the World GED ® TEST SOCIAL STUDIES FLASH REVIEW _____________ • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Read the passage and answer the following two questions. From 2000 B.C. until the twentieth century, a succession of dynasties ruled China. The word China comes from the Ch’in Dynasty (221–206 B.C.), which first unified the country by conquering warring land-owning feudal lords. King Cheng named himself Shih Huang-ti, or first emperor, and consolidated his empire by abolishing feudal rule, creating a centralized monarchy, establishing a system of laws and a common written language, and building roads and canals to the capital. Scholars speculate that construction of the Great Wall or chang cheng, meaning “long wall,” began during the Ch’in Dynasty in order to protect China’s northern border from invaders. Shih Huang-ti ruled with absolute power, imposing strict laws and heavy taxes and doling out harsh punishments. He also is reputed to have burned books on topics that he did not consider useful. Shih Huang-ti died in 210 B.C. His son succeeded him but soon peasants and former nobles revolted and overthrew the dynasty. The Han Dynasty replaced it, ruling China until A.D. 220. Which of the following is NOT a contribution of the Ch’in Dynasty? a. unification of territory b. feudal aristocracy c. road construction d. standardized written script Which of the following conclusions can you make based on the passage? a. The Ch’in Dynasty enjoyed a stable and long-lasting rule. b. By abolishing feudalism, Ch’in Shih Huang-ti promoted democracy in China. c. The Ch’in Dynasty was popular among peasants and displaced nobles. d. The Ch’in Dynasty had long-lasting influence.