FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Quiz about The Art of War Part 1
Quiz about The Art of War Part 1

The Art of War Part 1 Trivia Quiz


This is the classic work by Sun Tsu. It is amazing how much impact this little book has had. There are a few questions about Sun Tzu himself.

A multiple-choice quiz by tralfaz. Estimated time: 5 mins.
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. Literature Trivia
  6. »
  7. Authors Q-S
  8. »
  9. Sun Tsu

Author
tralfaz
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
191,368
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
25
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
16 / 25
Plays
407
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 41 (10/25), Guest 112 (11/25), Guest 46 (11/25).
- -
Question 1 of 25
1. The Author: Sun Tsu was a general in what kingdom? Hint


Question 2 of 25
2. The Author: There is a famous story where Sun Tsu executed which members of the King's household? Hint


Question 3 of 25
3. The Author: Did Sun Tsu believe that a general should always follow the King's commands?


Question 4 of 25
4. The Author: What was the first foreign kingdom that Sun Tsu defeated? Hint


Question 5 of 25
5. The Book: When was "The Art of War" first translated into English? Hint


Question 6 of 25
6. The Book: How many chapters does this book have? Hint


Question 7 of 25
7. The Book: During the Cold War, what country made "The Art of War" mandatory reading at its military academy? Hint


Question 8 of 25
8. The Book: Sun Tsu often uses the unit of length called a "li". How many modern li are in a mile? Hint


Question 9 of 25
9. Chapter 1, "Laying Plans": Sun Tsu lists five constant factors. Which of these is NOT one of them? Hint


Question 10 of 25
10. Chapter 1, "Laying Plans": All warfare is based on ________ . Hint


Question 11 of 25
11. Chapter 1, "Laying Plans": How many applications of the five constant factors does Sun Tsu say to examine? Hint


Question 12 of 25
12. Chapter 1, "Laying Plans": Sun Tzu believes that a successful general need only plan around the five constant factors.


Question 13 of 25
13. Chapter 2, "On Waging War": Sun Tsu believed that a war of attrition was often the best way to proceed.


Question 14 of 25
14. Chapter 2, "On Waging War": Why does Sun Tsu believe in foraging off the enemy? Hint


Question 15 of 25
15. Chapter 2, "On Waging War": When spoils are captured, who should get them? Hint


Question 16 of 25
16. Chapter 2, "On Waging War": Sun Tzu measured provisions in "picul". How heavy is a picul? Hint


Question 17 of 25
17. Chapter 3, "The Sheathed Sword": What should the goal of the general be? Hint


Question 18 of 25
18. Chapter 3, "The Sheathed Sword": Of the following choices, which is the LAST option that a general should pick? Hint


Question 19 of 25
19. Chapter 3, "The Sheathed Sword": What should you do if you outnumber an enemy 2 to 1? Hint


Question 20 of 25
20. Chapter 3, "The Sheathed Sword": Which of these is NOT a way that Sun Tsu gives that a sovereign can hurt the army? Hint


Question 21 of 25
21. Chapter 4, "Tactics": Which of these tactics is most important - offensive or defensive? Hint


Question 22 of 25
22. Chapter 4, "Tactics": If a general is clever, his reputation will grow.


Question 23 of 25
23. Chapter 4, "Tactics": What makes a victory certain? Hint


Question 24 of 25
24. Chapter 4, "Tactics": What is the best type of victory? Hint


Question 25 of 25
25. Chapter 5, "Energy": Commanding a small group of soldiers and a large army is similar.



(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

arrow Select a User ID:
arrow Choose a Password:
arrow Your Email:




Most Recent Scores
Feb 23 2024 : Guest 41: 10/25
Feb 18 2024 : Guest 112: 11/25
Feb 06 2024 : Guest 46: 11/25
Jan 30 2024 : Guest 208: 15/25

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The Author: Sun Tsu was a general in what kingdom?

Answer: Wu

Sun Tsu lived around 500BC. He was undefeated for two decades, but after he died the army moved away from his ideas. In 453BC, the Kingdom of Wu was conquered and ceased to exist.
2. The Author: There is a famous story where Sun Tsu executed which members of the King's household?

Answer: Concubines

The King wanted to test Sun Tsu's theories, so he put 180 ladies of the household into two companies with his two favorite concubines in charge of the companies. When Sun Tsu gave his first command, the ladies started laughing. He explained that if the orders are not carried out because they are unclear, it is the general's fault.

He gave the order again and the ladies laughed. He explained that if the orders are not carried out but they are clear, it is the officers' fault. The two concubines were executed and replaced.

The ladies did the rest of the drill flawlessly.
3. The Author: Did Sun Tsu believe that a general should always follow the King's commands?

Answer: No

Sun Tsu believed that as a general, there were certain orders than should not be followed. An example is in the above story. The King ordered him not to execute the favored concubines. Sun Tsu replied that a general was in charge of the army and in that capacity had the duty to disobey certain orders.
4. The Author: What was the first foreign kingdom that Sun Tsu defeated?

Answer: Chu

Sun Tsu defeated the Chu army and captured its capital Ying. This conquest continued into the Kingdom of Yueh. It was during this war that Sun Tsu died.
5. The Book: When was "The Art of War" first translated into English?

Answer: 1905

This seminal work was unknown in Europe for 2000 years. It was translated into French by Father Amiot in 1782. It then took over 100 years before P. F. Calthrop would translate this book into English.
6. The Book: How many chapters does this book have?

Answer: 13

Even with large print, small pages, and translator's notes, this book is only 73 pages. Compare this with the Occidental version - Carl von Clausewitz's "On War" written in 1832 at 464 pages.
7. The Book: During the Cold War, what country made "The Art of War" mandatory reading at its military academy?

Answer: The Soviet Union

It is very clear from reading "The Art of War" that the United States' military was unfamiliar with the principles in this book during the Vietnam War.
8. The Book: Sun Tsu often uses the unit of length called a "li". How many modern li are in a mile?

Answer: 2.78

The modern li is thought to be close to the measurement of the ancient one. Incidently, 1 li = 0.58 Km.
9. Chapter 1, "Laying Plans": Sun Tsu lists five constant factors. Which of these is NOT one of them?

Answer: Luck

The Moral Law refers to the belief that people have that their ruler is in the right. Heaven refers to time, seasons, weather, etc. Earth refers to terrain and distances. The Commander refers to leadership abilities. Method and Discipline refers to how the army is organized, supplies, obedience, etc. Luck is certainly an important factor, but it is not constant.
10. Chapter 1, "Laying Plans": All warfare is based on ________ .

Answer: Deception

Sun Tsu was a firm believer in giving his enemy false intelligence. He recognized that his famous quote "Know your enemy and yourself . . ." also works in reverse.
11. Chapter 1, "Laying Plans": How many applications of the five constant factors does Sun Tsu say to examine?

Answer: 7

What ruler has the Moral Law? Which general has the most ability? Which side gains the advantage of Heaven and Earth? Which side is better disciplined? Which army is stronger? Which side has the better system of rewards/punishments?
12. Chapter 1, "Laying Plans": Sun Tzu believes that a successful general need only plan around the five constant factors.

Answer: False

Sun Tsu allows that generals must take advantage of all opportunities that come their way, even if unexpected. However, planning is paramount. "The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought."
13. Chapter 2, "On Waging War": Sun Tsu believed that a war of attrition was often the best way to proceed.

Answer: False

Sun Tsu said that there has never been a country that benefited from a prolonged war. He believed in quickly invading and feeding off the enemy's land.
14. Chapter 2, "On Waging War": Why does Sun Tsu believe in foraging off the enemy?

Answer: It costs the enemy food

Sun Tsu believed in making life hard on the enemy. He recognized that war was also a battle of economies and that to win, one had to make war costly for the enemy.
15. Chapter 2, "On Waging War": When spoils are captured, who should get them?

Answer: The soldiers

It is the prospect of getting the spoils of war that provides an incentive for the common soldier to fight. He also believed that captured prisoners should be used as an addition to one's own forces.
16. Chapter 2, "On Waging War": Sun Tzu measured provisions in "picul". How heavy is a picul?

Answer: 133 1/3 lbs

In regards to question 14, Sun Tsu believed that one picul of the enemy's provisions captures were equivalent to twenty piculs of one's own provisions.
17. Chapter 3, "The Sheathed Sword": What should the goal of the general be?

Answer: Capture the country intact

Sun Tsu believed that one should break the enemy without fighting and capture food, soldiers, and territory without destroying it.
18. Chapter 3, "The Sheathed Sword": Of the following choices, which is the LAST option that a general should pick?

Answer: Besiege a city

In order from best generalship to worst: frustrate the enemy's plans, prevent enemy forces from joining each other, attack the enemy, and besiege a city. A siege take up valuble time, energy, and men. Often the results are not worth it.
19. Chapter 3, "The Sheathed Sword": What should you do if you outnumber an enemy 2 to 1?

Answer: Attack from front and rear

If we outnumber the enemy 10 to 1 - surround him, if 5 to 1 - attack, if 2 to 1 - attack from front and rear, if equal - offer battle (fight a defensive battle), if slightly smaller - avoid the enemy, and if inferior - flee!
20. Chapter 3, "The Sheathed Sword": Which of these is NOT a way that Sun Tsu gives that a sovereign can hurt the army?

Answer: Underfinancing the army

To address the appointment of officers, Su Ma Ch'ien comments that a wise man, a brave man, a covetous man, and a stupid man can all be used - provided they are placed in an appropriate command.
21. Chapter 4, "Tactics": Which of these tactics is most important - offensive or defensive?

Answer: It depends on the situation

Sun Tsu points out that the old military theory was to make oneself invunerable to defeat then wait for the enemy to make a mistake. However, Sun Tsu feels that one should use tactics based on the general's natural abilities and the strength of each army.
22. Chapter 4, "Tactics": If a general is clever, his reputation will grow.

Answer: False

A good general will win too easily. The battle will be over too quickly for the general to be considered couragous and the intelligence the general used will be unknown so he will not be considered wise.
23. Chapter 4, "Tactics": What makes a victory certain?

Answer: The general plans for victory before the battle

Sun Tsu believed that with proper planning, a general can guarantee victory. He counterposes this with generals that do their planning once the battle starts.
24. Chapter 4, "Tactics": What is the best type of victory?

Answer: No battle at all

Sun Tsu often repeats himself. Through secrecy, planning, and clever manuvering, a general can win without shedding blood.
25. Chapter 5, "Energy": Commanding a small group of soldiers and a large army is similar.

Answer: True

For Sun Tsu, you simple divide up the soldiers and employ signs and signals. Other than that, commanding small groups and large groups of soldiers are the same.
Source: Author tralfaz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
3/29/2024, Copyright 2024 FunTrivia, Inc. - Report an Error / Contact Us