ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)Paragraph Comprehension (PC)Medium
Read the following passage: "The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge. Before this innovation, books were meticulously hand-copied by scribes, making them rare, expensive, and largely inaccessible to the general populace. The printing press, with its movable type, allowed for the rapid and relatively inexpensive production of texts. This dramatically increased literacy rates, fostered the spread of new ideas, and played a crucial role in the Renaissance and the Protestant Reformation. While early presses were slow by modern standards, their impact on education, science, and religion was profound and irreversible." What was a significant consequence of the printing press on society?
- AThe immediate end of hand-copying by scribes.
- BA decrease in the influence of religious institutions.
- CIncreased availability of books and literacy.
- DA decline in the overall quality of written texts.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Increased availability of books and literacy.
The passage states that the printing press 'allowed for the rapid and relatively inexpensive production of texts. This dramatically increased literacy rates' and made books less 'inaccessible to the general populace.' This directly supports increased availability and literacy.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The passage implies a significant reduction, but not an 'immediate end,' and the impact on availability and literacy is a stronger consequence.
- B. The passage states it 'played a crucial role in... the Protestant Reformation,' which implies a shift in religious influence, not necessarily a decrease in all religious institutions' influence.
- D. The passage does not suggest a decline in quality, but rather an increase in quantity.
Printing Press Impact
Gutenberg's invention that enabled mass production of texts, transforming knowledge dissemination.
- Made books cheaper and more accessible.
- Increased literacy rates.
- Facilitated spread of new ideas.
Memory trick: Press Printed Progress, People Learned Proudly.