Unseen Passage for Class 7 - Passage 16
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In the heart of the Renaissance era, a period marked by cultural rebirth and intellectual awakening, one event stood out as a beacon of innovation — the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg. It was the 15th century, and the world was on the cusp of a revolutionary transformation in the way information was disseminated.
Gutenberg's invention, around 1440, played a pivotal role in the spread of knowledge, breaking the monopoly of handwritten manuscripts. The printing press utilized movable metal type, allowing for the mass production of books. This breakthrough had far-reaching consequences, democratizing access to literature and fostering a newfound thirst for learning among the masses.
Prior to the printing press, books were rare, expensive, and primarily confined to religious institutions and the elite. Gutenberg's innovation changed the landscape, paving the way for the Renaissance to flourish and the Reformation to take root. Ideas, once confined to small circles, now had the power to transcend borders and influence societies on a grand scale.
As the printing press spread across Europe, it became a catalyst for societal transformations, challenging established norms and fostering the rise of a more informed citizenry. The impact of this invention on the course of history cannot be overstated, as it laid the foundation for the modern era and the democratization of knowledge that we cherish today.
Q1) Who is credited with the invention of the printing press during the Renaissance?
A. Leonardo da Vinci
B. Johannes Gutenberg
C. Michelangelo
D. William Shakespeare
Answer: B. Johannes Gutenberg
Q2) What century did Johannes Gutenberg invent the printing press?
A. 14th century
B. 15th century
C. 16th century
D. 17th century
Answer: B. 15th century
Q3) What technological innovation did Gutenberg's printing press utilize?
A. Movable wooden type
B. Handwritten manuscripts
C. Movable metal type
D. Stone engravings
Answer: C. Movable metal type
Q4) How did the printing press impact the accessibility of books?
A. Made books more expensive
B. Restricted access to the elite
C. Democratized access to literature
D. Decreased interest in reading
Answer: C. Democratized access to literature
Q5) Before the invention of the printing press, who primarily had access to books?
A. The general public
B. Religious institutions and the elite
C. Merchants and traders
D. Government officials
Answer: B. Religious institutions and the elite
Q6) What consequences did the printing press have on the Renaissance?
A. It stifled intellectual growth
B. It led to the decline of the arts
C. It facilitated a cultural rebirth
D. It had no impact on the era
Answer: C. It facilitated a cultural rebirth
Q7) What did the printing press pave the way for?
A. The Industrial Revolution
B. The Age of Exploration
C. The Renaissance to flourish
D. The decline of education
Answer: C. The Renaissance to flourish
Q8) What societal transformations did the printing press contribute to?
A. Reinforcement of established norms
B. Democratization of knowledge
C. Restriction of information
D. Monopoly of literature
Answer: B. Democratization of knowledge
Q9) What impact did the printing press have on the Reformation?
A. It had no influence on the Reformation
B. It delayed the Reformation
C. It contributed to the rise of the Reformation
D. It stifled religious discussions
Answer: C. It contributed to the rise of the Reformation
Q10) What role did movable metal type play in the printing press?
A. It increased the cost of printing
B. It allowed for mass production of books
C. It restricted access to literature
D. It had no impact on the printing process
Answer: B. It allowed for mass production of books