Question

You are an imperial scholar-official. Your job is to report to the emperor about changes taking place. Which technological, economic, or cultural development do you think the emperor should know about? Write a short report that describes an important development. Support your ideas with at least two reasons.

Answer 1

The printing press was an important technological development that revolutionized the way information was disseminated and had a profound impact on society. It increased efficiency, accessibility, and facilitated the spread of ideas.

Step-by-step explanation:

Technological Development: The Printing Press

The important development that I believe the emperor should know about is the invention of the printing press. The printing press revolutionized the way information was disseminated and had a profound impact on technology, economics, and culture.

1. Efficiency and Accessibility: The printing press made it possible to produce books, pamphlets, and other written materials at a much faster pace than traditional methods like hand-copying. This significantly increased the availability and distribution of knowledge, allowing more people to access educational and cultural materials.
2. Spread of Ideas: With the printing press, ideas and knowledge could be spread more widely and quickly. This facilitated the exchange of ideas and contributed to the growth of intellectual movements, such as the Renaissance and the Reformation. It also played a crucial role in the development of scientific knowledge.

In conclusion, the invention of the printing press was a groundbreaking technological development that had far-reaching effects on society. It increased efficiency and accessibility of printed materials, as well as facilitated the spread of ideas. This development would greatly benefit the emperor in his role as a leader and supporter of knowledge.

Answer 2

This question refers to the role of scholar-official that existed in imperial China. These people were politicians, bureaucrats and officials that were appointed by the emperor to perform various political duties. They were generally men who possessed academic degrees.

An example of a technological development that an emperor should know about would be the invention of gunpowder during the Tang dynasty. The report would look something like this:

"Emperor:

I am writing to inform you of a recent development that might prove useful to the future of your dynasty. We have received information from alchemists who have discovered a type of material that is highly explosive. They discovered such potential weapon accidentally, but were eager to report their findings for two main reasons: first, this material can most likely be used as a weapon in order to defeat our enemies, and second, we might be able to use it in other industries if we learn to control it. There is a possibility of even using it in medicine. I urge you to pay attention to such development, as it might prove to be very important."