Imperial examination

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

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Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/imperial-examination

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary curriculum (ming dynasty)?Neo-Confucian orthodoxy, classical Chinese texts, and literary style
2. What is the approximate passing rate?1% among millions of annual applicants
3. What was the Imperial examination in ancient China?It was a special test that let people choose who would work in the government for many years.
4. How did the Imperial examination help people become bosses?People who did well in the exams could become officials, like teachers, judges, or even leaders, because the exams showed they were smart and knowledgeable.

Scholar-official: An elite member of the Chinese bureaucracy selected through the Imperial examination system.
Meritocracy: A system where advancement is based on individual ability or achievement rather than social status.
Gentry Class: A social class ranking between the nobility and the commoners, often composed of educated landowners.