Selina Textbook Solutions: The Renaissance | History Class 9 ICSE PDF Download

 Page 1


The Renaissance 
EXERCISES 
Question 1. 
What it meant by Renaissance ? 
Answer: 
The term ‘Renaissance’ is derived from the Latin ‘word ‘Renascence’. It implies rebirth 
and it is used to describe the rebirth of thought and learning of Greco-Roman classics, 
revival of art and growth of humanism. 
Question 2. 
Why is Renaissance known as an Intellectual Movement? 
Answer: 
Renaissance is known as an Intellectual Movement because it brought new 
developments in the fields of literature, religion, philosophy, politics, art and science. 
Question 3. 
Mention any two causes that led to the advent of Renaissance. 
Answer: 
Two causes that led to the advent of Renaissance are: 
1. The Capture of Constantinople by the Turks. 
2. Decline of Feudalism. 
Question 4. 
Name the country where the scholars took refuge after the siege of Constantinople. 
Answer: 
After the siege of Constantinople, the scholars took refuge in Italy. 
Question 5. 
What caused the Greek scholars to come to Italy? Or Give an important reason why the 
Renaissance began in Italy. 
Answer: 
In 1453, the Ottoman Turks sieged the City Constantinople and the Greek scholars fled 
to Italy. 
Question 6. 
Who reached Kerala’s coastal town of Calicut in 1498? 
Answer: 
Vasco-de-Gama, a Portuguese explorer reached Kerala’s coastal town of Calicut in 
1498. 
Page 2


The Renaissance 
EXERCISES 
Question 1. 
What it meant by Renaissance ? 
Answer: 
The term ‘Renaissance’ is derived from the Latin ‘word ‘Renascence’. It implies rebirth 
and it is used to describe the rebirth of thought and learning of Greco-Roman classics, 
revival of art and growth of humanism. 
Question 2. 
Why is Renaissance known as an Intellectual Movement? 
Answer: 
Renaissance is known as an Intellectual Movement because it brought new 
developments in the fields of literature, religion, philosophy, politics, art and science. 
Question 3. 
Mention any two causes that led to the advent of Renaissance. 
Answer: 
Two causes that led to the advent of Renaissance are: 
1. The Capture of Constantinople by the Turks. 
2. Decline of Feudalism. 
Question 4. 
Name the country where the scholars took refuge after the siege of Constantinople. 
Answer: 
After the siege of Constantinople, the scholars took refuge in Italy. 
Question 5. 
What caused the Greek scholars to come to Italy? Or Give an important reason why the 
Renaissance began in Italy. 
Answer: 
In 1453, the Ottoman Turks sieged the City Constantinople and the Greek scholars fled 
to Italy. 
Question 6. 
Who reached Kerala’s coastal town of Calicut in 1498? 
Answer: 
Vasco-de-Gama, a Portuguese explorer reached Kerala’s coastal town of Calicut in 
1498. 
Question 7. 
How did the invention of printing press bring new awakening in Europe? 
Answer: 
The invention of printing press made it possible to product books in large numbers. The 
holy Bible and many other religious and classical books were printed and made 
available all over Europe. 
Question 8. 
Mention an outstanding impact of the Renaissance ii the field of literature. 
Answer: 
The use of native languages for literary writings. 
Question 9. 
Who wrote ‘The Prince’? What is its importance? 
Answer: 
Machiavelli, wrote ‘The Prince’. It influenced the polity o that time, suggesting that 
political matters should b separated from religion. 
Question 10. 
Who was the famous English poet and dramatist the 16th century? 
Answer: 
William Shakespeare was the famous English poet am dramatist of the 16th century. 
Question 11. 
Name any two literary works of Shakespeare. 
Answer: 
Shakespeare wrote 38 Plays, more than 150 Sonnets am many Poems. His historical 
dramas included Richard II Henry V and Henry VI. He also wrote tragedies, such a 
Hamlet and Macbeth. 
Question 12. 
Who translated the Holy Bible into German Language 
Answer: 
Martin Luther translated the Holy Bible into Germai Language. 
Question 13. 
Mention the names of two celebrated artists of the 16th century? 
Answer: 
Leonardo de Vinci and Michael Angelo. 
Question 14. 
Mention the contributions of: 
(a) Leonardo de Vinci. 
(b) Mithaelangelo in the field of painting. 
Page 3


The Renaissance 
EXERCISES 
Question 1. 
What it meant by Renaissance ? 
Answer: 
The term ‘Renaissance’ is derived from the Latin ‘word ‘Renascence’. It implies rebirth 
and it is used to describe the rebirth of thought and learning of Greco-Roman classics, 
revival of art and growth of humanism. 
Question 2. 
Why is Renaissance known as an Intellectual Movement? 
Answer: 
Renaissance is known as an Intellectual Movement because it brought new 
developments in the fields of literature, religion, philosophy, politics, art and science. 
Question 3. 
Mention any two causes that led to the advent of Renaissance. 
Answer: 
Two causes that led to the advent of Renaissance are: 
1. The Capture of Constantinople by the Turks. 
2. Decline of Feudalism. 
Question 4. 
Name the country where the scholars took refuge after the siege of Constantinople. 
Answer: 
After the siege of Constantinople, the scholars took refuge in Italy. 
Question 5. 
What caused the Greek scholars to come to Italy? Or Give an important reason why the 
Renaissance began in Italy. 
Answer: 
In 1453, the Ottoman Turks sieged the City Constantinople and the Greek scholars fled 
to Italy. 
Question 6. 
Who reached Kerala’s coastal town of Calicut in 1498? 
Answer: 
Vasco-de-Gama, a Portuguese explorer reached Kerala’s coastal town of Calicut in 
1498. 
Question 7. 
How did the invention of printing press bring new awakening in Europe? 
Answer: 
The invention of printing press made it possible to product books in large numbers. The 
holy Bible and many other religious and classical books were printed and made 
available all over Europe. 
Question 8. 
Mention an outstanding impact of the Renaissance ii the field of literature. 
Answer: 
The use of native languages for literary writings. 
Question 9. 
Who wrote ‘The Prince’? What is its importance? 
Answer: 
Machiavelli, wrote ‘The Prince’. It influenced the polity o that time, suggesting that 
political matters should b separated from religion. 
Question 10. 
Who was the famous English poet and dramatist the 16th century? 
Answer: 
William Shakespeare was the famous English poet am dramatist of the 16th century. 
Question 11. 
Name any two literary works of Shakespeare. 
Answer: 
Shakespeare wrote 38 Plays, more than 150 Sonnets am many Poems. His historical 
dramas included Richard II Henry V and Henry VI. He also wrote tragedies, such a 
Hamlet and Macbeth. 
Question 12. 
Who translated the Holy Bible into German Language 
Answer: 
Martin Luther translated the Holy Bible into Germai Language. 
Question 13. 
Mention the names of two celebrated artists of the 16th century? 
Answer: 
Leonardo de Vinci and Michael Angelo. 
Question 14. 
Mention the contributions of: 
(a) Leonardo de Vinci. 
(b) Mithaelangelo in the field of painting. 
Answer: 
(a) 
Leonardo de Vinci was a great painter and sculptor, hipainted famous pictures, ‘The 
Last Supper’ and ‘Mona Lisa’. 
(b) 
Michael Angelo was also a great painter and a sculptor. The ceiling frescoes in the 
Sistine Chapel in the Papal palace of the Vatican was his masterpiece. 
Question 15. 
Name two famous sculptors of Italy. 
Answer: 
Lorenzo Ghiberti and Michael Angelo. 
Question 16. 
Mention the contributions of Lorenzo Ghiberti in the field of sculpture. 
Ans. 
The contribution of the mentioned sculpturs is as follows: 
Lorenzo Ghiberti: 
He was a famous Italian sculptor. He worked for 20 years to make two pairs of bronze 
doors for the Baptistery at Florence. 
Question 17. 
Name the finest example of the Renaissance architecture in Rome. 
Answer: 
The St. Peter’s Church. 
Question 18. 
What was the famous theory introduced by Copernicus? 
Answer: 
Copernicus was a Polish priest. He introduced the theory that it was not the Sun and the 
stars that move round the Earth, but it is the Earth that rotates on its axis around the 
sun. 
Question 19. 
Who invented the Telescope? 
Answer: 
Italian astronomer Galileo invented the Telescope. 
Question 20. 
Who proved the theory of Law of Gravitation? 
Answer: 
Sir Isaac Newton, an English scientist proved the theory of Law of Gravitation. 
Page 4


The Renaissance 
EXERCISES 
Question 1. 
What it meant by Renaissance ? 
Answer: 
The term ‘Renaissance’ is derived from the Latin ‘word ‘Renascence’. It implies rebirth 
and it is used to describe the rebirth of thought and learning of Greco-Roman classics, 
revival of art and growth of humanism. 
Question 2. 
Why is Renaissance known as an Intellectual Movement? 
Answer: 
Renaissance is known as an Intellectual Movement because it brought new 
developments in the fields of literature, religion, philosophy, politics, art and science. 
Question 3. 
Mention any two causes that led to the advent of Renaissance. 
Answer: 
Two causes that led to the advent of Renaissance are: 
1. The Capture of Constantinople by the Turks. 
2. Decline of Feudalism. 
Question 4. 
Name the country where the scholars took refuge after the siege of Constantinople. 
Answer: 
After the siege of Constantinople, the scholars took refuge in Italy. 
Question 5. 
What caused the Greek scholars to come to Italy? Or Give an important reason why the 
Renaissance began in Italy. 
Answer: 
In 1453, the Ottoman Turks sieged the City Constantinople and the Greek scholars fled 
to Italy. 
Question 6. 
Who reached Kerala’s coastal town of Calicut in 1498? 
Answer: 
Vasco-de-Gama, a Portuguese explorer reached Kerala’s coastal town of Calicut in 
1498. 
Question 7. 
How did the invention of printing press bring new awakening in Europe? 
Answer: 
The invention of printing press made it possible to product books in large numbers. The 
holy Bible and many other religious and classical books were printed and made 
available all over Europe. 
Question 8. 
Mention an outstanding impact of the Renaissance ii the field of literature. 
Answer: 
The use of native languages for literary writings. 
Question 9. 
Who wrote ‘The Prince’? What is its importance? 
Answer: 
Machiavelli, wrote ‘The Prince’. It influenced the polity o that time, suggesting that 
political matters should b separated from religion. 
Question 10. 
Who was the famous English poet and dramatist the 16th century? 
Answer: 
William Shakespeare was the famous English poet am dramatist of the 16th century. 
Question 11. 
Name any two literary works of Shakespeare. 
Answer: 
Shakespeare wrote 38 Plays, more than 150 Sonnets am many Poems. His historical 
dramas included Richard II Henry V and Henry VI. He also wrote tragedies, such a 
Hamlet and Macbeth. 
Question 12. 
Who translated the Holy Bible into German Language 
Answer: 
Martin Luther translated the Holy Bible into Germai Language. 
Question 13. 
Mention the names of two celebrated artists of the 16th century? 
Answer: 
Leonardo de Vinci and Michael Angelo. 
Question 14. 
Mention the contributions of: 
(a) Leonardo de Vinci. 
(b) Mithaelangelo in the field of painting. 
Answer: 
(a) 
Leonardo de Vinci was a great painter and sculptor, hipainted famous pictures, ‘The 
Last Supper’ and ‘Mona Lisa’. 
(b) 
Michael Angelo was also a great painter and a sculptor. The ceiling frescoes in the 
Sistine Chapel in the Papal palace of the Vatican was his masterpiece. 
Question 15. 
Name two famous sculptors of Italy. 
Answer: 
Lorenzo Ghiberti and Michael Angelo. 
Question 16. 
Mention the contributions of Lorenzo Ghiberti in the field of sculpture. 
Ans. 
The contribution of the mentioned sculpturs is as follows: 
Lorenzo Ghiberti: 
He was a famous Italian sculptor. He worked for 20 years to make two pairs of bronze 
doors for the Baptistery at Florence. 
Question 17. 
Name the finest example of the Renaissance architecture in Rome. 
Answer: 
The St. Peter’s Church. 
Question 18. 
What was the famous theory introduced by Copernicus? 
Answer: 
Copernicus was a Polish priest. He introduced the theory that it was not the Sun and the 
stars that move round the Earth, but it is the Earth that rotates on its axis around the 
sun. 
Question 19. 
Who invented the Telescope? 
Answer: 
Italian astronomer Galileo invented the Telescope. 
Question 20. 
Who proved the theory of Law of Gravitation? 
Answer: 
Sir Isaac Newton, an English scientist proved the theory of Law of Gravitation. 
Question 21. 
Mention two important effects or consequences of the Renaissance. 
Answer: 
Two important effects of the Renaissance are: 
1. The Renaissance led to the Reformation Movement. 
2. Great Outflow of Vernacular Literature. 
Question 22. 
Who discovered the Eastern Coast of Canada? What did it lead to? 
Answer: 
John Cabot, an Italian explorer discovered, the Eastern Coast of Canada. It enabled the 
British to claim much of North America. 
Question 23. 
Name the rulers who patronised the works of literature and art in Europe. 
Answer: 
Rulers like—King Francis I of France, King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I of 
England, Charles V of Spain and Christian II of Denmark encouraged the movement. 
STRUCTURED QUESTIONS 
Question 1. 
The 15th and 16th centuries are by and large regarded as the ‘Renaissance Period’. In 
this context explain how each of the following led to the advent and growth of 
Renaissance: 
(a) Capture of Constantinople by the Turks 
(b) Decline of Feudalism 
Answer: 
(a) Capture of Constantinople by the Turks: In the years 1453, the Ottoman Turks 
captured Constantinople, the Capital of the Byzantme Empire which remained in 
Christian hands for more than thousand years. Its libraries contained the manuscripts of 
world-famous Greek and Roman writers. As the siege of the City began, the students 
and scholars fled with a number of priceless manuscripts. They went to various parts of 
Europe. They were especially welcome in Italy because, as George Guest puts it, “that 
land had already given birth to famous men of letters- Dante Petrarch and Boccaccio”. 
Nobles, merchants and Churchmen flocked to the new teachers. 
(b) Decline of Feudalism: Feudal lords had possessed huge estates, who exploited 
the peasants ‘Social mobility’ and progress were badly affected by this system. 
Freedom or equality of rights was denied. Towards 13th and 14th centuries, started the 
decline of feudalism. It led to develop the habit of free-thinking. It paved the way for 
New Learning Consequently, new development came into being in the fields of art, 
literature, science and philosophy. 
Page 5


The Renaissance 
EXERCISES 
Question 1. 
What it meant by Renaissance ? 
Answer: 
The term ‘Renaissance’ is derived from the Latin ‘word ‘Renascence’. It implies rebirth 
and it is used to describe the rebirth of thought and learning of Greco-Roman classics, 
revival of art and growth of humanism. 
Question 2. 
Why is Renaissance known as an Intellectual Movement? 
Answer: 
Renaissance is known as an Intellectual Movement because it brought new 
developments in the fields of literature, religion, philosophy, politics, art and science. 
Question 3. 
Mention any two causes that led to the advent of Renaissance. 
Answer: 
Two causes that led to the advent of Renaissance are: 
1. The Capture of Constantinople by the Turks. 
2. Decline of Feudalism. 
Question 4. 
Name the country where the scholars took refuge after the siege of Constantinople. 
Answer: 
After the siege of Constantinople, the scholars took refuge in Italy. 
Question 5. 
What caused the Greek scholars to come to Italy? Or Give an important reason why the 
Renaissance began in Italy. 
Answer: 
In 1453, the Ottoman Turks sieged the City Constantinople and the Greek scholars fled 
to Italy. 
Question 6. 
Who reached Kerala’s coastal town of Calicut in 1498? 
Answer: 
Vasco-de-Gama, a Portuguese explorer reached Kerala’s coastal town of Calicut in 
1498. 
Question 7. 
How did the invention of printing press bring new awakening in Europe? 
Answer: 
The invention of printing press made it possible to product books in large numbers. The 
holy Bible and many other religious and classical books were printed and made 
available all over Europe. 
Question 8. 
Mention an outstanding impact of the Renaissance ii the field of literature. 
Answer: 
The use of native languages for literary writings. 
Question 9. 
Who wrote ‘The Prince’? What is its importance? 
Answer: 
Machiavelli, wrote ‘The Prince’. It influenced the polity o that time, suggesting that 
political matters should b separated from religion. 
Question 10. 
Who was the famous English poet and dramatist the 16th century? 
Answer: 
William Shakespeare was the famous English poet am dramatist of the 16th century. 
Question 11. 
Name any two literary works of Shakespeare. 
Answer: 
Shakespeare wrote 38 Plays, more than 150 Sonnets am many Poems. His historical 
dramas included Richard II Henry V and Henry VI. He also wrote tragedies, such a 
Hamlet and Macbeth. 
Question 12. 
Who translated the Holy Bible into German Language 
Answer: 
Martin Luther translated the Holy Bible into Germai Language. 
Question 13. 
Mention the names of two celebrated artists of the 16th century? 
Answer: 
Leonardo de Vinci and Michael Angelo. 
Question 14. 
Mention the contributions of: 
(a) Leonardo de Vinci. 
(b) Mithaelangelo in the field of painting. 
Answer: 
(a) 
Leonardo de Vinci was a great painter and sculptor, hipainted famous pictures, ‘The 
Last Supper’ and ‘Mona Lisa’. 
(b) 
Michael Angelo was also a great painter and a sculptor. The ceiling frescoes in the 
Sistine Chapel in the Papal palace of the Vatican was his masterpiece. 
Question 15. 
Name two famous sculptors of Italy. 
Answer: 
Lorenzo Ghiberti and Michael Angelo. 
Question 16. 
Mention the contributions of Lorenzo Ghiberti in the field of sculpture. 
Ans. 
The contribution of the mentioned sculpturs is as follows: 
Lorenzo Ghiberti: 
He was a famous Italian sculptor. He worked for 20 years to make two pairs of bronze 
doors for the Baptistery at Florence. 
Question 17. 
Name the finest example of the Renaissance architecture in Rome. 
Answer: 
The St. Peter’s Church. 
Question 18. 
What was the famous theory introduced by Copernicus? 
Answer: 
Copernicus was a Polish priest. He introduced the theory that it was not the Sun and the 
stars that move round the Earth, but it is the Earth that rotates on its axis around the 
sun. 
Question 19. 
Who invented the Telescope? 
Answer: 
Italian astronomer Galileo invented the Telescope. 
Question 20. 
Who proved the theory of Law of Gravitation? 
Answer: 
Sir Isaac Newton, an English scientist proved the theory of Law of Gravitation. 
Question 21. 
Mention two important effects or consequences of the Renaissance. 
Answer: 
Two important effects of the Renaissance are: 
1. The Renaissance led to the Reformation Movement. 
2. Great Outflow of Vernacular Literature. 
Question 22. 
Who discovered the Eastern Coast of Canada? What did it lead to? 
Answer: 
John Cabot, an Italian explorer discovered, the Eastern Coast of Canada. It enabled the 
British to claim much of North America. 
Question 23. 
Name the rulers who patronised the works of literature and art in Europe. 
Answer: 
Rulers like—King Francis I of France, King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I of 
England, Charles V of Spain and Christian II of Denmark encouraged the movement. 
STRUCTURED QUESTIONS 
Question 1. 
The 15th and 16th centuries are by and large regarded as the ‘Renaissance Period’. In 
this context explain how each of the following led to the advent and growth of 
Renaissance: 
(a) Capture of Constantinople by the Turks 
(b) Decline of Feudalism 
Answer: 
(a) Capture of Constantinople by the Turks: In the years 1453, the Ottoman Turks 
captured Constantinople, the Capital of the Byzantme Empire which remained in 
Christian hands for more than thousand years. Its libraries contained the manuscripts of 
world-famous Greek and Roman writers. As the siege of the City began, the students 
and scholars fled with a number of priceless manuscripts. They went to various parts of 
Europe. They were especially welcome in Italy because, as George Guest puts it, “that 
land had already given birth to famous men of letters- Dante Petrarch and Boccaccio”. 
Nobles, merchants and Churchmen flocked to the new teachers. 
(b) Decline of Feudalism: Feudal lords had possessed huge estates, who exploited 
the peasants ‘Social mobility’ and progress were badly affected by this system. 
Freedom or equality of rights was denied. Towards 13th and 14th centuries, started the 
decline of feudalism. It led to develop the habit of free-thinking. It paved the way for 
New Learning Consequently, new development came into being in the fields of art, 
literature, science and philosophy. 
Question 2. 
The word ‘Renaissance’ signifies the freedom-loving thoughts of man. In this context 
explain the role of 
(a) Original thinkers, and 
(b) Men with advanced scientific ideas in bringing about a spirit of Inquiry among people 
of Europe. 
Answer: 
(a) 
During the Medieval Age, the Church discouraged original thinking and called upon 
scholars to put faith in the Church dogmas. However, original thinking could not be 
suppressed for a long time and certain bold and independent thinkers criticised the 
Church and asked the people to develop their own thinking. Thinkers like Roger Bacon, 
Abelard. Thomas Aquinas revolutionised the thought process and laid great stress on 
reasoning. 
(b) 
Roger Bacon (1214-1294) was a thirteenth century scholar, but look at the ‘modernity’ 
of his thoughts in these words: “Machines for navigating are possible without rowers, so 
that great ships, guided by one man may be borne with greater speed than if they were 
full of men… Likewise cars may be made.” Similarly, “flying machines are possible, so 
that a man may sit in the middle turning some device by which artificial wings may beat 
the air in the manner of a flying bird.”All the above thinkers are called the forerunners of 
Renaissance. 
Question 3. 
How did the following factors help in the advent and growth of Renaissance: 
(a) New Trade routes between Europe and the East 
(b)Invention of the Printing Press 
Answer: 
(a) 
The Turkish invasion made trade in the eastern Mediterranean too risky. With the result, 
new trade-routes to India and the East, were felt to come in force. ‘Henry the Navigator’, 
a royal Portuguese became the pioneer in the field of geographical explorations. He 
started a school for navigators. The sailors were taught how to make use of the 
Mariner’s Compass and astrolabe. Many voyages were undertaken by his sailors along 
the coastline of West Africa. They discovered Azores and Maderial Inland and went as 
far as Sudan and Senegal. Bartholomew Diaz, a Portuguese, reached the southernmost 
tip of Africa, which came to be called ‘Cape of Good Hope’. In 1497 Vasco-de-Gama, 
sailed across the Indian Ocean and reached Kerala’s coastal town of Calicut in 1948. 
Two years later Cabral, a Portuguese Commander discovered Brazil in 1500. The urge 
of discovering new routes made Vasco-de-Gama discover India, while he went round 
the ‘Cape of Good Hope’ in 1948. Similarly, Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese 
nobleman, went round the Globe between 1520 and 1522. Italy became the center of all 
trade routes. Christopher Columbus was the first to sail across the Atlantic Ocean, 
taking with him three ships— The Santa Maria, the Nina and Pinta. A voyage of two 
months led him and his crew members land on the island of Bahamas, which he named 
San Salvador. He visited Cube and Haiti nearby and he called the people there Indians.