Question

Read this excerpt about Qin Shi Huang, the founder of the Qin dynasty. Then answer the question that follows.

The Qin dynasty lasted for a brief period of 15 years. Emperor Qin founded the empire by unifying all warring states. Qin ruled with absolute control. He also added greatly to China’s progress. He started the construction on the Great Wall of China and the Grand Canal. He also had other roads built to boost China’s trade.
What can be concluded about Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s governing methods?

A.
His rule lasted for only a short time because he became ill and died.
B.
He built the Great Wall to set an example for other governments.
C.
His rule ended after only 15 years because his army revolted against him.
D.
He used Legalism to unify the empire of China.
E.
He believed that economic progress is the true mark of a successful empire.

Answer 1

Based on the provided excerpt, the most accurate conclusion about Emperor Qin Shi Huang's governing methods is:

D. He used Legalism to unify the empire of China.

The excerpt does not mention anything about Emperor Qin Shi Huang's cause of death or his rule ending due to an army revolt. It does, however, state that he unified all warring states and ruled with absolute control, which aligns with the principles of Legalism. The emphasis on construction projects such as the Great Wall, Grand Canal, and roads also reflects his desire for centralization and infrastructure development, which were key aspects of his governing approach. The excerpt does not explicitly state that he believed economic progress was the true mark of a successful empire, so option E cannot be definitively concluded based on the given information.