What term refers to the class of officials who run the government based on merit?

What term refers to the class of officials who run the government based on merit?

• A. Scholar-Officials
• B. Meritocracy
• C. Confucius' Teachings
• D. Kublai Khan

Answer: (A)

The class of officials who ran the government based on merit are called scholar-officials. They formed the literati who governed by passing civil service exams and mastering Confucian texts, tying governance to education and character rather than hereditary privilege. This name identifies the people themselves—the officials—rather than just the idea of merit-based selection. Why this fits best: the phrase scholar-officials specifically names the group of educated officials who held power, which is exactly what the question asks for. In contrast, meritocracy is the system or principle of governing by merit, not the people who occupy the posts. Confucius' teachings provide the ethical basis for their role but are not the term for the class. Kublai Khan was a ruler who relied on administration, but his name is not the label for this class.

The class of officials who ran the government based on merit are called scholar-officials. They formed the literati who governed by passing civil service exams and mastering Confucian texts, tying governance to education and character rather than hereditary privilege. This name identifies the people themselves—the officials—rather than just the idea of merit-based selection.

Why this fits best: the phrase scholar-officials specifically names the group of educated officials who held power, which is exactly what the question asks for. In contrast, meritocracy is the system or principle of governing by merit, not the people who occupy the posts. Confucius' teachings provide the ethical basis for their role but are not the term for the class. Kublai Khan was a ruler who relied on administration, but his name is not the label for this class.