SAT II World History : Buddhism and Confucianism

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #22 : Overarching Themes And Philosophies

Confucianism was a powerful ideology for Chinese Emperors to promote because it encouraged

Possible Answers:

religious piety.

the apocalypse.

social equality.

democratic representation.

adherence to authority.

Correct answer:

adherence to authority.

Explanation:

Confucianism, originated by the Chinese philosopher Kung Fu Tzu in the sixth century BCE, is largely an ethical teaching that preaches devotion to family, order, and authority. While immensely popular on its own, it became the state philosophy and quasi-religion under the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE). Confucianism's devotion to order and authority became important teaching tools for the Emperor.

Example Question #23 : Overarching Themes And Philosophies

The four noble truths are components of which of the following religions?

Possible Answers:

Confucianism

Islam

Buddhism

Hinduism

Daoism

Correct answer:

Buddhism

Explanation:

The four noble truths were taught by Buddha and are an important part of Buddhism. None of the religions listed in the other answer choices includes the four noble truths.

Example Question #28 : Overarching Themes And Philosophies

Filial piety is an important tenet of which of the following religions?

Possible Answers:

Sikhism

Jainism

Confucianism

Judaism

Buddhism

Correct answer:

Confucianism

Explanation:

Filial piety is the complete obedience to one's parents, ancestors, and elders in society. It was a central tenet of the Chinese religion/philosophy of Confucianism.

Example Question #31 : Overarching Themes And Philosophies

Siddhartha Gautama __________.

Possible Answers:

established the first extensive trading system between the Middle East and India

is credited with founding modern Buddhism 

fought against the Emperor Asoka 

settled the island of Sri Lanka

was defeated by Alexander the Great in the Indo-Gangetic Plain

Correct answer:

is credited with founding modern Buddhism 

Explanation:

Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Buddha Gautama, or just the Buddha, was a spiritual and somewhat legendary figure on whose teachings the religion of Buddhism was founded. Siddhartha preached a Middle Way between sensory indulgence and the harsh asceticism common in the religions of the time; in doing so, he founded modern Buddhism.

Example Question #1 : Buddhism And Confucianism

Confucianism developed __________.

Possible Answers:

after the prophet Confucius began receiving messages from God 

out of the belief that good (light) and evil (dark) were fighting throughout history

None of the answers are correct.

as a response to the political turmoil under the Zhou dynasty

as a way to limit bureaucracy within China

Correct answer:

as a response to the political turmoil under the Zhou dynasty

Explanation:

Although Confucian values were part of a Chinese bureaucrat's training, it wasn't developed to limit bureaucracy. It was, however, a response to the political turmoil of the Zhou dynasty that Confucius lived through. 

Confucius was a philosopher, not a prophet, and the battle between good and evil has more in common with Manichaeism than with Confucianism.

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