China's High School Entrance Exam Blunder: Yunnan Exam Claims Edison Invented the Telephone

(CNA Taipei, June 21) - This year's history exam for the high school entrance examination (Zhongkao) in China's Yunnan Province contained multiple errors. Chinese media reported that one question stated that Thomas Edison invented the "telephone" and also significantly postponed his birth year from 1847 to 1882. A proctor revealed that the school where he works has instructed all teachers not to discuss the matter externally.

According to a report by The Paper, question 29 of the 2026 Yunnan Province Zhongkao history paper's background information stated: "Edison was born in New York in 1882. He invented over 1,000 patented technologies in his lifetime, including the electric light, telephone, and movies. In 1882, he established America's first thermal power station in New York."

After this question's statement was exposed, it drew ridicule from many Chinese netizens. Some pointed out that the statement contained three historical inaccuracies. Firstly, Thomas Edison was born on February 11, 1847, in Ohio, USA. Secondly, the generally recognized inventor of the telephone is Alexander Bell, not Edison.

The third error is derived from the first. This Chinese netizen stated that if Edison was indeed born in 1882, how could he have established the world's first commercial thermal power plant in the year of his birth? And how could he have invented (or rather, improved and applied) the incandescent light bulb in 1879, three years before his birth? This is clearly illogical.

According to reports, a proctor in Yunnan who participated in the Zhongkao said that such a low-level mistake is outrageous, and the school where he works has explicitly instructed all teachers not to discuss the matter externally.

The report mentioned that the "Academic Proficiency Examination Office" of the Yunnan Provincial Admissions Examination Authority responded that they are currently evaluating and handling the matter. (Editor: Chiu Kuo-chiang / Lu Chia-jung) 1150621

Stand with the facts, every donation you make is a force to protect press freedom

Download CNA's "First Hand News" APP for real-time updates

The text, images, and audio on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.