Battle of Talas (751 AD, Central Asia) — Questions and answers

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What was the big fight happening in the Talas River valley in 751 AD?

Choices

  1. A battle between the Tang Dynasty and the Abbasid Caliphate. ✓
  2. A friendly competition between two generals.
  3. A dust storm with a few people watching.
  4. A party for people from Kyrgyzstan.

Answer: A battle between the Tang Dynasty and the Abbasid Caliphate.

From page 1

What was Emperor Xuanzong doing in the Tang Dynasty capital of Chang'an around 750 AD?

Choices

  1. Building a new school for children.
  2. Overseeing a vast and prosperous empire. ✓
  3. Learning to ride a horse.
  4. Painting pictures of dragons.

Answer: Overseeing a vast and prosperous empire.

From page 2

Why did people in the Ferghana Valley ask the Abbasids for help?

Choices

  1. Because Al-Farabi was throwing too many parties.
  2. Because Al-Farabi was a nice ruler.
  3. Because Al-Farabi's rule was becoming oppressive and caused discontent. ✓
  4. Because they wanted to learn new songs from the Abbasids.

Answer: Because Al-Farabi's rule was becoming oppressive and caused discontent.

From page 3

What did General Gao Xianzhi do after capturing the city of Shas that made the local people unhappy?

Choices

  1. He gave everyone free candy.
  2. He was perceived as excessively cruel and suppressed resistance. ✓
  3. He told funny jokes to the citizens.
  4. He helped them plant new crops.

Answer: He was perceived as excessively cruel and suppressed resistance.

From page 4

Who did Abu al-Abbas send to challenge Tang influence after hearing about Gao Xianzhi's actions?

Choices

  1. His best chef.
  2. Ziyad ibn Salih, a skilled general. ✓
  3. A friendly merchant.
  4. His pet parrot.

Answer: Ziyad ibn Salih, a skilled general.

From page 5

How did General Gao Xianzhi prepare his Tang troops for the battle in the Talas River valley?

Choices

  1. He told them to build a sandcastle.
  2. He deployed them in a traditional battle formation. ✓
  3. He taught them a new dance.
  4. He asked them to collect flowers.

Answer: He deployed them in a traditional battle formation.

From page 6

What happened during the first few days of the battle between the Tang and Abbasid armies?

Choices

  1. Both sides played a game of hide-and-seek.
  2. The fighting raged for days, with neither side gaining a decisive advantage. ✓
  3. They had a big picnic together.
  4. Everyone decided to go home.

Answer: The fighting raged for days, with neither side gaining a decisive advantage.

From page 7

What surprising event caused the Tang lines to break during the battle?

Choices

  1. A sudden rainstorm.
  2. A faction of Karluk Turks defected to the Abbasid side. ✓
  3. A giant dragon appeared in the sky.
  4. The generals decided to stop fighting for a snack break.

Answer: A faction of Karluk Turks defected to the Abbasid side.

From page 8

What was the result of the Battle of Talas for the Abbasids?

Choices

  1. They lost all their toys.
  2. They secured control over much of Central Asia. ✓
  3. They decided to become farmers.
  4. They went on a long vacation.

Answer: They secured control over much of Central Asia.

From page 9

What important Chinese technology was transferred to the Islamic world because of the Battle of Talas?

Choices

  1. How to make delicious noodles.
  2. How to build tall pagodas.
  3. Papermaking technology. ✓
  4. How to fly kites.

Answer: Papermaking technology.

From page 10