How did the location of the Gobi and Taklamakan Deserts, the Himalaya Mountains, and the Pacific Ocean impact early settlement in China?

Question

It meant early peoples had to trade along the Chang River.
It meant early peoples had to develop into a seafaring civilization.
It meant early peoples developed in isolation.
It meant early peoples fought for fertile land as there wasn't very much.

Answer 1

The location of the Gobi and Taklamakan Deserts, the Himalaya Mountains, and the Pacific Ocean significantly impacted early settlement in China by means of natural barriers and geographical challenges. This resulted in the statement: "It meant early peoples developed in isolation."

The harsh environments of the deserts and mountains limited the migrations of people into and out of the region, leading to relatively independent development of cultures and societies within China. While trade routes like the Silk Road eventually connected China to other regions, the initial geography fostered a sense of isolation from other civilizations.

Answer 2

By the end of the Shang dynasty, the Chinese had developed a form of writing in which each character represented a _____
sound.
letter.
syllable.
word or idea.

Answer 3

By the end of the Shang dynasty, the Chinese had developed a form of writing in which each character represented a word or idea. Chinese writing is logographic, meaning that each character typically corresponds to a word or a meaningful unit of language, rather than to a sound or letter as in alphabetic systems.

Answer 4

What is loess?
silt that settles on a hilltop
a grass-covered plain
a dry wind from the Gobi
a fine, dustlike material

Answer 5

Loess is a fine, dustlike material. It is composed of silt that is typically yellowish and is formed by the deposition of wind-blown dust, often found in areas such as river valleys and plains. Loess is known for its fertility, making it suitable for agriculture.