Final answer:
The characteristics associated with early China include geographic isolation, the presence of silkworms, the Yellow and Yangtze rivers, and planned cities. The Sphinx is not related to early China but to Egypt.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physical or human characteristics associated with early China include a variety of attributes that have shaped its civilization over millennia. Among the correct answers to the question regarding these characteristics:
- Geographic isolation was a significant feature due to natural barriers like mountains and deserts, which led to some degree of protection and cultural development in relative seclusion.
- The presence of silkworms, which were important for the development of silk, a highly valued material that became a cornerstone of early Chinese economy and culture.
- The Yellow and Yangtze rivers were central to early Chinese civilization, providing fertile land for agriculture, enabling population growth, and acting as important transportation routes.
- Planned cities that denote the advanced urban planning and organizational capabilities of early Chinese civilizations.
The Sphinx, however, is not associated with China but rather with ancient Egypt and, hence, is not a correct answer.