The Terracotta Army remains one of the most significant archaeological wonders ever found. Discovered by accident in the 1970s, this massive clay army was constructed to guard a silent ruler for eternity.
This quiz covers details about their discovery, construction, and preservation. You will see questions about the emperor who ordered their creation, the materials used, and the individual soldiers.
After you finish, you can visit our other pages. Learn about great sculpture, explore remarkable UNESCO architecture, or view historic places from around the world.
Near which major city were the terracotta warriors discovered?
Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Shanghai
Shanghai
Xi’an
Xi’an
Beijing
Beijing
In what year did local farmers accidentally discover fragments of the army while digging a well?
1972
1972
1974
1974
1976
1976
1970
1970
The Terracotta Army was created to guard the tomb of which Chinese emperor?
Qin Shi Huang
Qin Shi Huang
Kublai Khan, Emperor of Yuan
Kublai Khan, Emperor of Yuan
Hongwu, Emperor of Ming
Hongwu, Emperor of Ming
Wu Zetian, Empress of Tang
Wu Zetian, Empress of Tang
During which Chinese dynasty were these terracotta figures constructed?
Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
Qin Dynasty
Qin Dynasty
Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
What was the primary metal used to forge the functional weapons held by the soldiers in the mausoleum complex?
Steel
Steel
Iron
Iron
Copper
Copper
Bronze
Bronze
What was the primary purpose of burying the Terracotta Army with the emperor?
To serve the emperor in the afterlife
To serve the emperor in the afterlife
To ward off invaders in the mortal world
To ward off invaders in the mortal world
To show off wealth
To show off wealth
To commemorate a specific historical battle
To commemorate a specific historical battle
What makes the faces of the terracotta warriors especially remarkable?
Each warrior has unique facial features and expressions.
Each warrior has unique facial features and expressions.
All warriors are identical replicas.
All warriors are identical replicas.
Warriors are divided into groups with only five unique facial types.
Warriors are divided into groups with only five unique facial types.
Facial features were painted after finding the figures, not sculpted.
Facial features were painted after finding the figures, not sculpted.
Which statement best describes the construction process of the figures?
They were cast in bronze and gold.
They were cast in bronze and gold.
They were molded using a standardized press.
They were molded using a standardized press.
They were carved from single blocks of stone.
They were carved from single blocks of stone.
They were fired at low temperatures then painted.
They were fired at low temperatures then painted.
What is a notable feature of the kneeling archers found in the pits?
They were significantly smaller than other soldiers.
They were significantly smaller than other soldiers.
They were cast in bronze instead of clay.
They were cast in bronze instead of clay.
They were found almost entirely intact because their lower pose protected them from the collapsing roof.
They were found almost entirely intact because their lower pose protected them from the collapsing roof.
They were the only soldiers depicted with facial hair.
They were the only soldiers depicted with facial hair.
In which year was the Terracotta Army first discovered by local farmers?
1984
1984
1974
1974
1964
1964
1994
1994
How did the sculptors differentiate the ranks of the soldiers in their designs?
Both were sculpted the exact same height.
Both were sculpted the exact same height.
Generals wore unique wooden masks to denote their status.
Generals wore unique wooden masks to denote their status.
Generals were sculpted taller than average infantrymen to show status.
Generals were sculpted taller than average infantrymen to show status.
Infantrymen were typically taller than generals.
Infantrymen were typically taller than generals.
What structure sits above the emperor’s actual burial chamber, which has not yet been excavated?
A bronze chariot burial
A bronze chariot burial
A massive earthen mound
A massive earthen mound
A massive stone castle
A massive stone castle
A giant bronze dragon sculpture
A giant bronze dragon sculpture
Why were large, permanent museum buildings constructed over the excavation pits?
To keep the identity of the sculptor a secret
To keep the identity of the sculptor a secret
To symbolize the emperor’s control over time
To symbolize the emperor’s control over time
To prevent the paint from fading in sunlight
To prevent the paint from fading in sunlight
To protect the fragile clay figures from weather and damage
To protect the fragile clay figures from weather and damage
What state were most of the terracotta figures found in upon excavation?
They had dissolved completely into mud due to underground water.
They had dissolved completely into mud due to underground water.
They were found completely intact and in pristine condition.
They were found completely intact and in pristine condition.
They were found carefully wrapped in silk blankets.
They were found carefully wrapped in silk blankets.
They were found broken into fragments due to collapsed roofs and fires.
They were found broken into fragments due to collapsed roofs and fires.
Scientific analysis revealed that the figures were once brightly painted. What has happened to these colors upon exposure to modern air?
The lacquer underneath dried out, causing the paint to curl and flake off in minutes.
The lacquer underneath dried out, causing the paint to curl and flake off in minutes.
The paint turned into a dark blue liquid that ran off the statues.
The paint turned into a dark blue liquid that ran off the statues.
They immediately became brighter and more vibrant due to chemical reactions with oxygen.
They immediately became brighter and more vibrant due to chemical reactions with oxygen.
The colors turned completely white within a few seconds.
The colors turned completely white within a few seconds.
What material was primarily used to construct the bodies of the Terracotta Army figures?
Imported clay from distant provinces.
Imported clay from distant provinces.
A mixture of crushed volcanic rock and clay.
A mixture of crushed volcanic rock and clay.
Synthetic materials invented by the Qin.
Synthetic materials invented by the Qin.
Clay from the local river.
Clay from the local river.
Which statement matches the findings regarding the armor on the Terracotta Army clay soldiers?
The armor was made of real metal.
The armor was made of real metal.
The armor was painted on.
The armor was painted on.
The armor was made of leather.
The armor was made of leather.
The armor detail was carved into the clay to simulate plates.
The armor detail was carved into the clay to simulate plates.
Why is preserving the original color of the excavated Terracotta Army warriors a major technical challenge?
Because the clay is extremely brittle.
Because the clay is extremely brittle.
Because the government forbids chemical preservation.
Because the government forbids chemical preservation.
Because the statues are too heavy to move.
Because the statues are too heavy to move.
Because the underlying lacquer dries out and flakes off rapidly when exposed to dry air.
Because the underlying lacquer dries out and flakes off rapidly when exposed to dry air.
Regarding the three main pits of the Terracotta Army, which statement is factually correct?
Pit 1 is the largest.
Pit 1 is the largest.
Pit 2 is the most complete.
Pit 2 is the most complete.
Pit 4 is the tomb chamber itself.
Pit 4 is the tomb chamber itself.
Pit 3 held the most weapons.
Pit 3 held the most weapons.
What differentiates Pit 3 of the Terracotta Army from the other two major pits?
It includes command and control staff with high-ranking officers.
It includes command and control staff with high-ranking officers.
It contains mostly cavalry horses.
It contains mostly cavalry horses.
It is empty.
It is empty.
It contains only musicians.
It contains only musicians.
Approximately how many total warriors are estimated to exist in the pits of the Terracotta Army?
12,000
12,000
10,000
10,000
6,000
6,000
8,000
8,000
What is currently believed to be the primary cause for the remarkable preservation of the bronze weapons buried with the soldiers?
An intentional ancient chrome-plating technique
An intentional ancient chrome-plating technique
The alkaline nature and chemistry of the local soil
The alkaline nature and chemistry of the local soil
The airtight sealing of the wooden chambers
The airtight sealing of the wooden chambers
A protective coating of heavy animal fats
A protective coating of heavy animal fats
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