Question

According to the article, the Silk Road hastened the spread of Buddhism, silk and spices from China. Which sentence from the section "The Shiji" BEST supports the statement above? A Although he did not succeed in reaching the lands of Persia, Arabia or the Roman Empire, Chang Ch'ien did learn plenty about them. B Wu Ti sent Chang Ch'ien to central Asia again a few years later, this time to make alliances using gifts of cattle, gold and silk. C Reaching as far west as the Caspian Sea, goods such as ivory, glass, wool, tapestries, exotic fruits and vegetables, precious metals and stones, even animals such as elephants and lions were imported into China. D In return, foreign traders received furs, spices, jade, iron, ceramic and bronze objects, as well as the much-sought-after silk.

Answer 1

Answer: D

Explanation: This sentence mentions that foreign traders received various goods from China, including silk. Since the Silk Road was a major trade route connecting China to other regions, the fact that silk was being traded suggests that the Silk Road facilitated the spread of silk from China to other areas. This supports the idea that the Silk Road hastened the spread of silk from China.

Additionally, the sentence mentions that foreign traders also received spices. This suggests that the Silk Road also facilitated the spread of spices from China to other regions. The sentence does not directly mention Buddhism, so it may not provide direct support for that aspect of the statement. However, the sentence does show that the Silk Road facilitated the exchange of goods between China and other regions, which could have included the spread of religious ideas like Buddhism.

Therefore, sentence D is the best choice as it provides clear evidence of the trade of silk and spices, supporting the idea that the Silk Road hastened their spread from China.