A. One significance of Confucianism in the Song Dynasty was its emphasis on education and the civil service exam system, which replaced recruitment based on family connections and wealth. This allowed for more social mobility and merit-based appointments to government positions.
B. One challenge to the author's assertion that fraternal relations were "a structural weakness" in China is that this claim overly simplifies the complexity of familial relationships in Chinese culture. While fraternal ties could lead to conflicts of interest and power struggles, there were also strong familial bonds that fostered loyalty and cooperation, particularly in times of crisis.
C. One cultural change that occurred in China during the period 1200-1450 was the spread and adoption of Neo-Confucianism. This philosophy combined Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, and emphasized personal morality and spiritual self-cultivation, rather than just political and social harmony. This led to the development of new styles of literature, art, and architecture that reflected these values.