CBSE Class 10 Social Science Print Culture and the Modern World Important Questions Set 04

Important Questions

Question 1. How was hand-printing technology introduced in Japan?
Answer:
Buddhist missionaries from China introduced hand-printing technology into Japan around AD 768-770.

Teacher's Note:
a) Chinese Buddhist missionaries brought hand-printing to Japan around 768-770 AD.
b) This spread the woodblock printing technique eastward across Asia.

Question 2. Explain the meaning of the term 'Calligraphy'.
Answer:
Calligraphy is the visual art of giving form to signs and writing or lettering in an expressive, harmonious and skilful manner, usually produced with a pen or brush.

Teacher's Note:
a) Calligraphy means stylish, expressive handwriting as an art form.
b) It was especially valued in hand-copied Chinese and Japanese texts.

Question 3. Name the first book printed by the Gutenberg Press.
Answer:
The Bible was the first book printed by the Gutenberg Press.

Teacher's Note:
a) The Bible was Gutenberg's first printed book.
b) It marked the start of the print revolution in Europe.

Question 4. Name the oldest Japanese book.
Answer:
The Diamond Sutra is the oldest Japanese book.

Teacher's Note:
a) The Diamond Sutra is Japan's oldest printed book.
b) It was printed using the woodblock method introduced from China.

Question 5. What is Calligraphy?
Answer:
Calligraphy is the art of beautiful and stylish writing.

Teacher's Note:
a) Calligraphy is simply the art of elegant handwriting.
b) It was prized as a skilled craft in hand-copied manuscripts.

Question 6. Who introduced hand-printing technology in Japan?
Answer:
Buddhist missionaries from China introduced hand-printing technology in Japan.

Teacher's Note:
a) Chinese Buddhist missionaries brought the technology to Japan.
b) This link shows how printing spread along religious and trade routes.

Question 7. Which method of hand-printing was developed in China?
Answer:
Woodblock printing was the method of hand-printing developed in China.

Teacher's Note:
a) Woodblock printing originated in China.
b) It later spread to Japan and, via Marco Polo, towards Europe.

Question 8. What is a manuscript? Mention any two limitations of manuscripts during the nineteenth century.
Answer:
Manuscripts were copied on palm leaves or handmade paper, with pages often beautifully illustrated.
Two limitations: manuscripts were highly expensive but fragile, and they were written in various vernacular languages in differing scripts and styles, which made them difficult to read easily.

Teacher's Note:
a) Manuscripts were hand-copied, expensive and fragile.
b) Varying scripts and vernacular languages also made them hard to read widely.

Question 9. How had the earliest printing technology developed in the world? Explain with an example.
Answer:
The earliest kind of print technology was developed in China, Japan and Korea, where woodblocks were used for hand printing in China.
Up to the 6th century, print was used only by scholar officials, but later it became more common.
Buddhist missionaries introduced hand-printing technology from China to Japan.
Marco Polo, the great explorer, brought knowledge of woodblock printing from China to Italy.

Teacher's Note:
a) Woodblock printing began in China and spread via Buddhist missionaries and Marco Polo.
b) This chain of transmission eventually carried printing technology to both Japan and Europe.

Question 10. Who developed the first printing press?
Answer:
Johann Gutenberg developed the first known printing press, in the 1430s.

Teacher's Note:
a) Johann Gutenberg built the first known printing press in the 1430s.
b) His press used movable metal type, a major technological leap from woodblock printing.

Question 11. Who wrote the 'Ninety-Five Theses': (a) Martin Luther (b) Johann Gutenberg (c) Charles Dickens (d) Louis Sebastien Mercier?
Answer:
(a) Martin Luther — who wrote the Ninety-Five Theses, criticising the Roman Catholic Church.

Teacher's Note:
a) Martin Luther wrote the Ninety-Five Theses.
b) Its wide printed circulation helped fuel the Protestant Reformation.