Unit 4: History and Culture
Full exercise of Qin Dynasty | Language Development | Class 11 English Notes NEB
Ways with words
A. Match the words with their meanings.
- Brevity ➜ lasting only for a short time
- Conquest ➜ victory over a place or people by use of military force
- Resemblance ➜ the state of being alike
- Barbarian ➜ a member of an uncivilized group of people of culture
- Ally ➜ one state united to another by a treaty or a league for a military purpose
- Nobility ➜ state of being noble in character, quality, or rank
- Ruthlessness ➜ character of having no pity or compassion
- Decimation ➜ the killing or destruction of a large number of a population
- Harsh ➜ cruel
- Elixir ➜ liquid that is believed to cure all ills
B. Find the following words in the text and use them in sentences of your own.
- Invasion: The sudden invasion of the foreign army left the nation in chaos, as citizens scrambled to protect their homes and families.
- Disregard: His blatant disregard for the rules led to his dismissal from the team, as everyone knew the importance of following the guidelines.
- Paramount: Safety is of paramount importance in the construction industry, and all workers must adhere to strict protocols to prevent accidents.
- Populace: The government’s new policy was met with mixed reactions from the populace, with some praising the changes and others protesting them.
- Revolt: The peasants’ revolt against the oppressive regime was a turning point in the nation’s history, signaling a shift in power and social order.
- Assassination: The assassination of the political leader shocked the world and sparked widespread debates about security and freedom of speech.
- Serfdom: During the medieval period, serfdom was a common social structure, where peasants were bound to the land they worked and were subject to the will of their lords.
C. Consult a dictionary and prepare a list of ten homographs.
- Bass—a type of fish/low, deep voice
- Bat – a piece of sports equipment/an animal
- Evening—smoothing out/after sunset
- Bear – to endure/animal
- Close—connected/lock
- Lean—thin/rest against
- Bow—bend forward/front of a ship
- Lead—metal/start off in front
- Skip—jump/miss out
- Fair – appearance/reasonable
Comprehension
A. Answer these questions.
a. Why is the Zhou Age called a feudal age?
The Zhou Age is called a feudal age because the Zhou period had followed the rule of feudalism.
b. What is the location advantage of the Qin?
The location advantage of Qin is that the territory or area of the dynasty is well bounded by mountains.
c. What contributed to the success in the warfare as described in the text?
The location of the state, the size of the army, and their expert use of the chariot contributed to their success in warfare.
d. Why did the Qin invite the foreign advisor, Shang Yang?
The Qin invited the foreign advisor, Shang Yang, due to the lack of intellectual people in Qin.
e. What were the key features of the Qin political system?
The key features of the Qin political system were fear and control.
f. How were the people treated during the Qin Period?
The people were treated almost like slaves in that period. People were supposed to contribute to all projects for the welfare of the nation and were deprived of the approach of education.
g. Why did Shi Huangdi stop educating ordinary people?
Shi Huangdi stopped educating ordinary people because he believed that illiterate people can be controlled easily.
h. What did the Qin achieve by the legalism in practice?
The Qin achieved a superior army, a disciplined populace, obedient peoples, the Great Wall, the Grand Canal, etc. by the help of legalism.
i. Why did Shi Huangdi never sleep in the same room for two consecutive nights?
Shi Huangdi never slept in the same room for two consecutive nights because of constant fear of assassination.
j. What are the everlasting marks of the Qin Dynasty?
The everlasting marks of the Qin Dynasty are as follows:
1. The Terracotta Army
2. Concept of Legalism
3. The Great Wall of China
4. The Grand Canal
5. Roads.
Critical thinking
a. The Great Wall and the Taj Mahal are the creations of the autocratic rulers. Present your view for or against this statement.
Yes, I think that autocratic rulers built the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal. The Great Wall of China was built to keep enemies out of China’s northern kingdom. There are 19 walls. The very first wall was built in the year 7 BC.
No single individual can work alone to build the Great Wall of China. People were made to work on these projects as punishment by dictators. It says in the text that everyone in the kingdom needs to take care of each other. People had to talk to someone who wasn’t following the rules if they did. They were cut up or killed if they didn’t. People who did the most for the country were honoured greatly, while people whose lives were not seen as important were forced to work as slaves on Shi Huangdi’s building projects, like the Great Wall of China, the Grand Canal, and the streets that grew up around trade and travel.
Similarly, the authoritarian rule of Shah Jahan, the Mughal Emperor of India, led to the building of the Taj Mahal. People think that he built it to make his wife, Mumtaz, live on forever. People say that Shah Jahan cut off the artists’ hands to stop them from building the same kind of structure again. The king was less kind and more selfish than romantic, as shown by history. Twenty thousand people worked for 20 years to build the Taj Mahal.
No one is excited to find out what the structures are really about, but everyone knows the names of the emperors who built them. Because of this, the Great Wall and the Taj Mahal can be seen as works of art by autocratic rulers.
b. How do you describe the pros and cons of feudalism?
Feudalism is defined as a dominant social system that existed in Europe during the Middle Ages in which people worked and fought for nobles who gave them protection and the use of land in return.
Pros of feudalism
Feudalism helped protect communities from the violence and warfare that broke out after the fall of Rome and the collapse of strong central government in Western Europe. Feudalism secured Western Europe’s society and kept out powerful invaders. The Lords were the major persons who kept away people’s worries. Feudalism helped people to develop qualities like loyalty, bravery, generosity, and humility.
Cons of feudalism
The concept of feudalism used to divide poor and rich people into two classes. It created class divisions among people. Common and weak people had to be dependent upon the Lords. Easy environment for powerful people to impose their power over others. Lords could easily do whatever they wanted. Peasants had to survive under the lords and they were not allowed to leave their lords’ land. They were restricted in movement and even daily activities without their lords’ permission.
Writing
a. Write an email to your friend living abroad stating the contributions of Prithvi Narayan Shah in the unification of Nepal.
To: manishpoudel@gmail.com
From: nebnote@gmail.com
Subject: The Contributions of Prithvi Narayan Shah in the Unification of Nepal
Dear Manish,
I hope this email finds you well. I’ve been reflecting a lot lately on the history of Nepal, and I wanted to share some insights with you about one of the most influential figures in the country’s history – Prithvi Narayan Shah. As you might know, he is considered the founding father of modern Nepal, and his contributions to the unification of Nepal are monumental.
Before his time, the region that is now Nepal was fragmented into several small, independent kingdoms and states, often in conflict with one another. This made it difficult for the region to maintain peace and stability, and there was a constant threat of invasion from neighboring countries like Tibet and India.
Prithvi Narayan Shah, born in 1723, was the King of Gorkha, a small kingdom in the mid-hill region of Nepal. He realized that in order to ensure the survival and prosperity of his people, he needed to unify the disparate kingdoms and create a strong, centralized state. His vision was a united Nepal, strong enough to withstand external pressures and protect its cultural and territorial integrity.
He began his campaign for unification in 1743 and meticulously planned his military and political strategies. His first major success came in 1744 when he successfully captured the small but strategically important town of Nuwakot. Over the next few decades, he systematically expanded his influence, conquering smaller kingdoms and building alliances with local leaders. His military prowess was complemented by a keen diplomatic mind, often securing allies where he could and using strategic marriages to strengthen his position.
The process was neither quick nor easy. Prithvi Narayan Shah faced many challenges, including fierce resistance from powerful kingdoms like Malla-ruled Kathmandu, which was one of the most significant hurdles. However, after years of siege and conflict, in 1768, he succeeded in capturing Kathmandu Valley, marking the symbolic and strategic center of Nepal. This victory was a turning point and laid the foundation for the unified state we recognize today.
Prithvi Narayan Shah’s leadership didn’t just involve military conquests; he was also a visionary who took great care in managing the newly unified state. He implemented administrative reforms and ensured that local rulers were kept in check while maintaining their autonomy, thus securing loyalty to the central government. His policies promoted unity among the diverse ethnic groups, languages, and cultures within Nepal, although this unity was sometimes fragile and faced challenges in the years that followed.
Sadly, Prithvi Narayan Shah passed away in 1775, but by then, his vision had already transformed Nepal into a unified kingdom, laying the groundwork for his successors, especially his son, Pratap Singh Shah, and grandson, Rajendra Pratap Singh, to further solidify and expand the nation.
Prithvi Narayan Shah’s unification efforts are still celebrated in Nepal today, and his legacy is visible in many aspects of the country’s culture, politics, and identity. His reign is often remembered as the beginning of Nepal’s modern history, and he remains a national hero.
I thought you’d appreciate learning more about his contributions, especially since his role in the shaping of Nepal is a key part of our history. Let me know your thoughts!
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Warm regards,
[Roshan Pandey]
Grammar (Past Tense)
A. Complete the texts below using the correct past forms of the verbs from the bracket.
a. The Maya established a very advanced civilisation in the jungles of the Yucatan. However, their culture disappeared (disappear) by the time Europeans first arrived (arrive) in the New World.
b. When I turned (turn) on the radio yesterday, I heard (hear) a song that was popular when I was (be) at the basic level of my study. It took (take) me back to some old memories.
c. I was looking for a job. I applied (apply) for a job last week. Fortunately, I got (get) it and now I am a job holder.
B. Choose the correct words from the list and complete the sentences with the correct verb form.
a. Newton saw an apple falling from the tree.
b. Ramesh Bikal wrote many popular stories.
c. My jacket is expensive. It cost me Rs 5000.
d. She got up early in the morning yesterday.
e. When I was small, my father taught me at home.
f. Why did you throw the cap away
C. Put the verb into the correct form and complete the sentences.
a. I went to see the film, but I did not it. (not/enjoy)
b. I met Rojina in town in a few days ago. (meet)
c. It was very warm, so I took off my coat. (take off)
d. Though the bed was very comfortable, I did not sleep very well. (not/sleep)
e. I started new job last week. (start)
g. He was too busy in the office yesterday. (be)
h. Nita invited her to the party, but she didn’t come. (invite)