In paragraph 4 the author uses the connotation of stifling, stagnant , and stale

cultural/diplomatic relations. most medieval japanese   culture has chinese origins. writing, architecture etc.

i believe your answer is d)

“i think it is very plausible that if there are five votes to end the death penalty, it could be with the people who are on the court right now,” - smith

so basically it is not clearly and consistently imposed

the correct answer is a) egypt and china.

egypt and china are two of the world’s oldest civilizations known by man. both ancient empires have left a great historic and cultural legacy to the world through archeology. both civilzations developed complex social relations, had deep religious beliefs, had dominion of agriculture and left writing records to understand their customs and culture.

among the requirements to consider a civilization, we find urbanization, writing records, a place of residence, agriculture methods, technological specialization, means of transportation, currency, population density, social stratification, and political integration.