Unit 5: Why the Industrial Revolution Didn't Happen in China
Comprehension Questions
Instructions: Read the Washington Post article HERE and respond to the following questions in COMPLETE,
ERROR-FREE sentences.
1. Why do you think human life expectancy was 38 years old in 1750?
I think that human life expectancy was only 38 years old in 1750 because a lot of the fundamental changes to
society during the industrial revolution hadn’t happened yet. Medicine hasn’t been advanced enough yet to
bring up the suitability of life yet and the quality of life isn’t there yet as many people are still struggling to live
and starvation is a crucial problem in society.
2. Why do you think the American life expectancy has risen to nearly 80 years old today?
The reason that there has been such an increase in life expectancy is because of the improvements and
innovations in medicine and technology. Now people can solve certain problems with cancers and diseases.
Before you wouldn’t even know you had cancer other than the couple of days before you would eventually die.
3. How do you think life expectancy is related to the Industrial Revolution?
Life expectancy is directly related to the industrial revolution although one might think that because of the word
industrial it has to do with machines, however it doesn’t. The biggest takeaway from the industrial revolution is
the great quality and capability in life. From greater food production, higher incomes, machine innovations,
electricity, smart phones, medicine and many more. All in all life expectancy was increased when new
innovations in doctrine strategies evolved and many people started living longer and healthier lives.
4. What are some main differences between China and Europe politically?
One of the biggest differences politically is that most European countries were monarchies were China would
start as a bureaucracy and would develop into a Communist country. Similarly as time went on European
countries would also change the forms of government, however they would go into more of a central
government with a republic system.
5. How do you think competition between countries leads to innovation? Can you give any examples?
I think that competition helps to lead to innovation because everyone wants to be the best at whatever they do.
Therefore, when you get to where political power and superiority gets involved. Many greater efforts are put
into place. This can be good for those countries involved in the competition but bad for those whom are not.
For example, China wasn’t a part of the great competition early on in the industrial revolution so therefore, they
fell behind from what great ships and guns the developed europeans were creating. Another example was the
great space race. When USA and Russia were both fighting to get to space before the other. The end goal was
achieved much faster than it would have been without the aspirations of beating the other.
6. What is more important to you: stability or progress? Why?
To me, progress is more important, this is because with progress comes stability. As people get more
knowledgeable and capable. So does your ability to live healthier and safer lives. When stability is present you
won’t have the same abilities as the country or area with the higher developed infrastructure. So I would rather
be more developed, more knowledgeable and more understanding with a progressive state.
7. What is a meritocracy? If you don’t know, look it up and summarize what you learn here.
Meritocracy is a political system where economic goods and political power are given to individual people on
the basis of their ability, effort, and achievement to complete tasks, rather than wealth or social class.
8. Why does the author of this article believe that the Civil Service Exam hindered rather than helped
Chinese innovation? The author thinks that the civil service exam has hindered Chinese innovation
mainly because of the content on the exam. It forces kids to acquire knowledge of concepts that keep
China going in the same exact direction they already are. In Europe, historians went over things they
did in the past, realized what they did wrong and what could be fixed, and innovated.
This study source was downloaded by 100000860007226 from CourseHero.com on 02-07-2023 02:18:54 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/183606272/Copy-of-Unit-5-Why-the-Industrial-Revolution-Didnt-Happen-in-China-Student-Questionsdocx/
Comprehension Questions
Instructions: Read the Washington Post article HERE and respond to the following questions in COMPLETE,
ERROR-FREE sentences.
1. Why do you think human life expectancy was 38 years old in 1750?
I think that human life expectancy was only 38 years old in 1750 because a lot of the fundamental changes to
society during the industrial revolution hadn’t happened yet. Medicine hasn’t been advanced enough yet to
bring up the suitability of life yet and the quality of life isn’t there yet as many people are still struggling to live
and starvation is a crucial problem in society.
2. Why do you think the American life expectancy has risen to nearly 80 years old today?
The reason that there has been such an increase in life expectancy is because of the improvements and
innovations in medicine and technology. Now people can solve certain problems with cancers and diseases.
Before you wouldn’t even know you had cancer other than the couple of days before you would eventually die.
3. How do you think life expectancy is related to the Industrial Revolution?
Life expectancy is directly related to the industrial revolution although one might think that because of the word
industrial it has to do with machines, however it doesn’t. The biggest takeaway from the industrial revolution is
the great quality and capability in life. From greater food production, higher incomes, machine innovations,
electricity, smart phones, medicine and many more. All in all life expectancy was increased when new
innovations in doctrine strategies evolved and many people started living longer and healthier lives.
4. What are some main differences between China and Europe politically?
One of the biggest differences politically is that most European countries were monarchies were China would
start as a bureaucracy and would develop into a Communist country. Similarly as time went on European
countries would also change the forms of government, however they would go into more of a central
government with a republic system.
5. How do you think competition between countries leads to innovation? Can you give any examples?
I think that competition helps to lead to innovation because everyone wants to be the best at whatever they do.
Therefore, when you get to where political power and superiority gets involved. Many greater efforts are put
into place. This can be good for those countries involved in the competition but bad for those whom are not.
For example, China wasn’t a part of the great competition early on in the industrial revolution so therefore, they
fell behind from what great ships and guns the developed europeans were creating. Another example was the
great space race. When USA and Russia were both fighting to get to space before the other. The end goal was
achieved much faster than it would have been without the aspirations of beating the other.
6. What is more important to you: stability or progress? Why?
To me, progress is more important, this is because with progress comes stability. As people get more
knowledgeable and capable. So does your ability to live healthier and safer lives. When stability is present you
won’t have the same abilities as the country or area with the higher developed infrastructure. So I would rather
be more developed, more knowledgeable and more understanding with a progressive state.
7. What is a meritocracy? If you don’t know, look it up and summarize what you learn here.
Meritocracy is a political system where economic goods and political power are given to individual people on
the basis of their ability, effort, and achievement to complete tasks, rather than wealth or social class.
8. Why does the author of this article believe that the Civil Service Exam hindered rather than helped
Chinese innovation? The author thinks that the civil service exam has hindered Chinese innovation
mainly because of the content on the exam. It forces kids to acquire knowledge of concepts that keep
China going in the same exact direction they already are. In Europe, historians went over things they
did in the past, realized what they did wrong and what could be fixed, and innovated.
This study source was downloaded by 100000860007226 from CourseHero.com on 02-07-2023 02:18:54 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/183606272/Copy-of-Unit-5-Why-the-Industrial-Revolution-Didnt-Happen-in-China-Student-Questionsdocx/
