Final answer:
Europeans borrowed the magnetic compass and gunpowder from China. These technologies were crucial for European maritime navigation and warfare. The correct options are b and d.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two correct answers regarding the advantages that Europeans borrowed from China are the compass and gunpowder. The magnetic compass, which initially helped Chinese ships navigate by the 11th century, was adopted by Europeans and significantly aided in the exploration of the Atlantic Ocean during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Furthermore, gunpowder, another Chinese invention, had a considerable impact on European warfare and was crucial in the navigation revolution that allowed Europeans to conduct long sea voyages. These technologies, along with the lateen sail and the sternpost rudder from the Arab world, enabled European ships to sail with greater precision and power, ultimately paving the way for the Age of Exploration.
The correct options are b and d.