Questions Refer to the Passage Below

question 43

Multiple Choice

Questions refer to the passage below.
Silks were still very expensive textiles, but they were no longer reserved for rulers or officials in most parts of Eurasia after the twelfth century. Many different factors, including the various religious movements discussed here, contributed to this result. In this article Buddhist, Christian, and Islamic religious movements and their relationships with the silk trade have been discussed separately. But surely there must have been many links between the three major religious spheres and trade circles. Meanwhile, followers of religions other than Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam were also involved in the silk trade, sometimes as part of their religious activities. For example, Jewish traders who were active in Europe and the Mediterranean basin might have come all the way to central Asia, China, and India. Nestorian Christians are known to have been active in the silk trade. Though estranged from orthodox Christianity, they might still have served as links between the Christian world and Asian lands. Zoroastrians were well-known traders and preachers in Tang China. Manichaeans were found from the Mediterranean to China and left many artistic remains along the central Asian trade routes.
Liu Xinrui, "Silks and Religions in Eurasia, c. A.D. 600-1200,"
in Journal of World History, 1995
-What can be inferred about the intended audience of this article?

• A) Since the article was published in an academic journal, probably very few people read it or understood it.
• B) Since the article was written in the 1990s, the audience was probably influenced by Cold War ideology.
• C) The audience was likely composed of academics or people interested in world history.
• D) The audience was likely made up of people interested in the production of silk.

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Definitions:

Realistic Group Conflict Theory

A theory suggesting that intergroup conflict arises from competition over resources or conflicting goals.

Scarce Resources

Materials, goods, or services that are limited in availability, making them valuable and often leading to competition for their acquisition or use.

Competition

The activity or condition of competing, where entities strive to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others.

Tolerance Of Ambiguity

The ability of an individual to remain comfortable and positive in situations that are uncertain or unclear.