1. What goods flowed into China along the Silk Road? 2. Why was the fourney along the Silk Road difficult? What geographic features added to the difficulty? Why were merchants able to make a profit on the Silk Road? Which city is the easternmost city on the Silk Road? Which city is the westernmost?

1. **Goods that flowed into China along the Silk Road** included a variety of items such as: - **Silk**: The most famous export from China, highly sought after in the West. - **Spices**: Various spices from the East, including pepper and cinnamon. - **Precious stones**: Such as rubies, emeralds, and lapis lazuli. - **Glassware**: Fine glass products from the West. - **Wool and textiles**: From Central Asia and the Middle East. - **Metals and coins**: Including gold and silver. - **Fruits and nuts**: Such as pomegranates and walnuts. 2. **Difficulties of the journey along the Silk Road** included: - **Harsh climates**: Travelers faced extreme temperatures, from scorching heat in deserts to freezing cold in mountainous regions. - **Rugged terrain**: The route included mountain ranges like the Pamirs and the Tian Shan, as well as vast deserts like the Taklamakan and Gobi. - **Limited water sources**: Many stretches of the Silk Road had scarce water supplies, making it challenging for caravans. - **Political instability**: Different regions along the route were often controlled by various empires or tribes, leading to potential conflicts or banditry. Merchants were able to make a profit on the Silk Road due to the high demand for exotic goods in different regions, the rarity of certain items, and the ability to mark up prices as goods passed through multiple hands before reaching their final destination. 3. The **easternmost city on the Silk Road** is generally considered to be **Xi'an** (formerly Chang'an), while the **westernmost city** is often identified as **Antioch** (in modern-day Turkey) or **Tarsus**, depending on the specific routes considered. Other significant western cities include **Ctesiphon** and **Damascus**.