Final answer:
In Tang China, citizens could rise in social status primarily through the civil service examination system, which tested literacy and knowledge of classics. However, this system was more accessible to those with aristocratic ties or the means to afford education, and thus, while it facilitated some social mobility, it did not entirely disrupt aristocratic dominance.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Tang China, a feature that allowed citizens to rise in social status was the merit-based civil service examination. This was the first fully written exam in history, developed from the Sui dynasty, which tested sophisticated literary skills and knowledge of Confucian and Daoist classics. Although it was in theory open to all, it was practically accessible mainly to those who could afford a classical education and those with the leisure to prepare.
Despite the existence of this system, family and social connections largely determined one's access to higher office. The most prestigious route to government office was through the civil service exams, yet aristocratic power and influence remained strong. The exams did become a more prestigious route to office, enabling some social mobility, but they did not fundamentally challenge the dominance of the aristocratic elite.
It was the combination of talent, literacy in poetry, calligraphy, painting, and music, and virtuous learning that merited social advancement. However, these talents were often nurtured within elite families who had access to education and resources, thus maintaining their prominence in society and government.