Codex of FaithsAn illustrated atlas of belief

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Confucianism: quiz worksheet

A printable worksheet for the classroom: 8 multiple-choice questions on Confucianism, with an answer key and explanations on the last page.

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Circle the letter of the best answer.

  1. When did Confucius live?

    1. A 551–479 BCE
    2. B 1130–1200 CE
    3. C 372–289 BCE
    4. D 1st century CE

  2. What does ren mean?

    1. A Humaneness
    2. B Ritual propriety
    3. C Trustworthiness
    4. D Filial piety

  3. Which of these is NOT one of the five Confucian relationships?

    1. A Husband and wife
    2. B Teacher and student
    3. C Ruler and subject
    4. D Friend and friend

  4. In which year were China’s imperial examinations in the Confucian classics abolished?

    1. A 1949
    2. B 1912
    3. C 1644
    4. D 1905

  5. Who grouped the Four Books?

    1. A Confucius
    2. B Zhu Xi
    3. C Wang Yangming
    4. D Mencius

  6. What did Mencius teach about human nature?

    1. A That it is evil
    2. B That it does not exist
    3. C That it must be shaped by ritual
    4. D That it is good

  7. Where is Confucius’s traditional birthday, 28 September, celebrated as Teachers’ Day?

    1. A Japan
    2. B Thailand
    3. C Taiwan
    4. D Mongolia

  8. Which Korean dynasty (1392–1910) built a Neo-Confucian state?

    1. A Baekje
    2. B Silla
    3. C Joseon
    4. D Goryeo

Answer key

  1. A · 551–479 BCE. Mencius lived 372–289 BCE and Zhu Xi 1130–1200; Confucius died in the state of Lu.
  2. A · Humaneness. Ritual propriety is li, filial piety xiao, trustworthiness xin.
  3. B · Teacher and student. The five are ruler and subject, parent and child, husband and wife, elder and younger sibling, friend and friend.
  4. D · 1905. From 1313 to 1905 the Four Books with Zhu Xi’s commentaries were the basis of the examinations.
  5. B · Zhu Xi. Zhu Xi published the Analects, Mencius, Great Learning and Doctrine of the Mean with his commentaries in 1190.
  6. D · That it is good. Xunzi held that people must be shaped by ritual and learning.
  7. C · Taiwan. Rites are held that day at Confucius temples.
  8. C · Joseon. The philosophers Toegye and Yulgok debated Zhu Xi’s ideas, and Confucian family rites spread through society.

From Codex of Faiths, codexoffaiths.com. You may print and copy this worksheet for teaching.