- 1. Science and Civilisation in China, authored by Joseph Needham, is a monumental work that explores the rich history of scientific and technological advancements in China, examining how these developments influenced and were influenced by Chinese culture, philosophy, and societal structures. Needham, a British biochemist and historian, embarked on this extensive project in the mid-20th century, driven by his belief that the contributions of Chinese civilization to science had been largely overlooked in Western historiography. The first volume was published in 1954, and the series eventually expanded to several volumes, encompassing various aspects of Chinese innovation ranging from agriculture, astronomy, and mathematics to medicine and engineering. Notably, Needham posed the famous question: "Why did modern science, as we know it, not arise in China?" His analysis combines rigorous scholarship with an appreciation of the unique Chinese worldview, highlighting the interplay between science and philosophy in a society that diverged significantly from the Western experience. Through his work, Needham not only documents the significant achievements of ancient and medieval China but also challenges readers to reconsider the narrative of scientific progress as a linear and exclusively Western phenomenon, fostering a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of global advancements in science and technology.
What is the central focus of Joseph Needham's 'Science and Civilisation in China'?
A) The political history of Chinese dynasties
B) A biography of famous Chinese emperors
C) Chinese religious and philosophical traditions
D) Documenting China's scientific and technological achievements
- 2. What is the 'Needham Question' or 'Needham Problem'?
A) The origin of the Chinese writing system
B) Why China was overtaken by the West in science and technology
C) How China invented gunpowder
D) Why the Chinese did not develop democracy
- 3. In which century was the first volume of 'Science and Civilisation in China' published?
A) 21st century
B) 19th century
C) 20th century (1954)
D) 18th century
- 4. What was Joseph Needham's primary academic field before he began his study of China?
A) History
B) Biochemistry
C) Physics
D) Linguistics
- 5. Which Chinese term does Needham use to describe the concept of a law-governed universe, central to Chinese scientific thought?
A) Dao
B) Li
C) Qi
D) Yin and Yang
- 6. Needham's work argues that pre-modern China was often more technologically advanced than Europe in which area?
A) Military strategy
B) Theoretical physics
C) Architectural design
D) Hydraulic engineering
- 7. What is a 'South Pointing Chariot', a device Needham studied?
A) A ancient Chinese war chariot
B) A mechanical directional compass
C) A device for measuring earthquakes
D) A ceremonial vehicle for emperors
- 8. Needham's research significantly altered the historical understanding of the origins of which technology?
A) The wheel
B) Printing
C) Smelting iron
D) The arch
- 9. What does Needham cite as a possible factor in answering his famous 'Question'?
A) The nature of Chinese bureaucratic society
B) Geographic isolation
C) Inferior natural resources
D) A lack of intellectual curiosity
- 10. Which field of study was created largely as a result of Needham's work?
A) Asian biochemistry
B) Comparative linguistics
C) The history of Chinese science
D) Chinese economic theory
- 11. What was the original language of the vast majority of sources Needham used for his research?
A) English
B) Classical Chinese
C) Latin
D) Sanskrit
- 12. Which astronomical achievement of ancient China is detailed by Needham?
A) Discovery of Jupiter's moons
B) Detailed records of supernovae
C) Calculation of the Earth's circumference
D) The heliocentric model
- 13. Which concept, crucial to Chinese medicine, does Needham explore in depth?
A) Qi (vital energy)
B) Germ theory
C) DNA
D) The four humors
- 14. How many volumes did Needham plan for his original work?
A) 7
B) 12
C) 3
D) 20
- 15. What was Needham's professional background before studying Chinese science?
A) Physicist
B) Linguist
C) Historian
D) Biochemist
- 16. What mechanical device did Chinese engineers develop before Europe according to Needham?
A) The escapement mechanism
B) The electric motor
C) The steam engine
D) The internal combustion engine
- 17. What naval technology did China develop early according to Needham?
A) The nuclear submarine
B) The hydrofoil
C) The sternpost rudder
D) The aircraft carrier
- 18. What medical practice does Needham discuss as advanced in China?
A) Acupuncture
B) Vaccination
C) Antibiotic development
D) Organ transplantation
- 19. Which Chinese transportation innovation does Needham document?
A) The helicopter
B) The automobile
C) The wheelbarrow
D) The bullet train
- 20. What material for writing did China develop long before others?
A) Paper
B) Papyrus
C) Vellum
D) Parchment
- 21. Which Chinese military technology does Needham extensively cover?
A) Nuclear weapons
B) Drone technology
C) Gunpowder weapons
D) Stealth aircraft
- 22. What Chinese geographical work does Needham analyze?
A) The Google Maps
B) The Mercator projection
C) The Yu Gong tribute
D) The GPS system
- 23. What Chinese engineering project does Needham highlight?
A) The Silk Road
B) The Three Gorges Dam
C) The Great Wall
D) The Grand Canal
- 24. Which Chinese astronomical instrument does Needham describe?
A) The armillary sphere
B) The radio telescope
C) The Hubble telescope
D) The electron microscope
- 25. Which Chinese mathematical text does Needham analyze?
A) The Nine Chapters on Mathematical Art
B) The Principia Mathematica
C) The Art of Computer Programming
D) Elements of Geometry
- 26. What was the primary language of the original 'Science and Civilisation in China' publications?
A) Latin
B) Chinese
C) French
D) English
- 27. In which decade did the first volume of 'Science and Civilisation in China' appear?
A) 1950s
B) 1920s
C) 1970s
D) 1980s
- 28. Which Chinese device used rising smoke to measure time?
A) Candle clocks
B) Sun dials
C) Incense clocks
D) Water clocks
- 29. What is the ongoing project to continue Needham's work called?
A) The Sino-Science Foundation
B) The Imperial Archives Project
C) The Cambridge China Centre
D) The Needham Research Institute
- 30. Which Chinese dynasty is often cited in Needham's work for its significant technological advancements?
A) Qing Dynasty
B) Song Dynasty
C) Ming Dynasty
D) Qin Dynasty
- 31. Which field of Chinese science did Needham describe as highly advanced, including early recognition of the circulation of blood?
A) Physics
B) Medicine
C) Chemistry
D) Astronomy
- 32. Which Chinese polymath, known for his extensive writings on science, is frequently cited by Needham?
A) Sun Tzu
B) Laozi
C) Shen Kuo
D) Confucius
- 33. Which Chinese practice, involving the burning of herbs, is analyzed in the volume on medicine?
A) Homeopathy
B) Phlebotomy
C) Aromatherapy
D) Moxibustion
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