Unit Test Solutions: Print Culture and the Modern World | Social Studies (SST) Class 10 PDF Download

Time: 1 hour

M.M. 30

Attempt all questions.

• Question numbers 1 to 5 carry 1 mark each.
• Question numbers 6 to 8 carry 2 marks each.
• Question numbers  9 to 11 carry 3 marks each.
• Question number 12 & 13 carry 5 marks each.

Q1.  ________ from China introduced hand-printing technology into Japan around AD 768-770.
a) Buddhist Missionaries
b) Christian Missionaries
c) Scholars
d) Traders
Ans. (c)

Buddhist missionaries from China introduced hand-printing technology into Japan around AD 768-770. This early printing technique involved creating texts by hand on wooden blocks and then pressing them onto paper. The technology was initially used to print Buddhist scriptures, helping to spread Buddhist teachings in Japan.

Q2. Which was the first Indian language to be printed?
a) Hindi
b) Bengali
c) Tamil
d) Marathi
Ans. (c) Tamil 

Tamil was the first Indian language to be printed. The earliest printed book in Tamil appeared in 1578, thanks to the efforts of European missionaries who brought printing technology to India. They printed religious texts to spread Christianity.

Q3. China already had the technology of woodblock printing. Marco Polo brought this knowledge back with him to ________.
a) Italy
b) Germany
c) Great Britain
d) France
Ans.  (a)

Marco Polo, the Italian explorer, traveled to China in the 13th century and observed many advanced technologies, including woodblock printing, which was already well-developed in China. Upon his return to Europe, Marco Polo brought back knowledge of various Chinese inventions, including woodblock printing, to Italy.

 Q4. In 1517, the religious reformer Martin Luther wrote ‘Ninety Five Theses’, criticising many of the practices and rituals of the _______.
a) Roman Catholic Church
b) Protestants
c) Orthodox Church
d) None of the above
Ans. (a)

Martin Luther, a German monk and theologian, wrote the "Ninety-Five Theses" in 1517, challenging the practices of the Roman Catholic Church, particularly the sale of indulgences. His theses sparked the Protestant Reformation, a movement that sought to reform the Church's practices and led to the creation of Protestant denominations. 

Q5. ________ is a Metal frame in which types are laid and the text composed.
a) Compositor
b) Galley
c) Platen
d) None of the above
Ans. (b)

A galley is a metal frame used in the typesetting process where individual types (letters) are arranged to compose text before printing. It is an essential component in traditional letterpress printing, allowing printers to organize and align text properly.

Q6. How did Bibliothèque Bleue differ from penny chapbooks?
Ans. Penny chapbooks were inexpensive books sold by small-time sellers called chapmen in England, priced so that even the poor could afford them. In contrast, Bibliothèque Bleue were also low-cost books printed in France, but they were specifically bound in cheap blue covers. Both types of books were printed on low-quality paper, but the distinctive feature of Bibliothèque Bleue was its blue cover.

Q7. ‘Tremble, therefore, tyrants of the world ! Tremble before the virtual writer !' Explain this statement.
Ans. Louise-Sebastien Mercier, an 18th-century French dramatist and novelist, hailed the printing press as a powerful force for progress and a tool against despotism. His novels often depicted heroes transformed by reading. Believing in print's power to enlighten and challenge tyranny, Mercier warned, "Tremble, therefore, tyrants of the world! Tremble before the virtual writer!" 

Q8. Who invented the power-driven cylindrical press and what were its advantages?
Ans.

• Inventor: Richard M. Hoe of New York.
• Advantages:
  1. High Speed: The press could print 8,000 sheets per hour.
  2. Newspaper Printing: It was especially effective for printing newspapers.

Q9. ‘Print played a significant role in awakening sentiments of nationalism amongst the Indians’. Explain the statement with examples.
Ans. Print played a crucial role in fostering nationalism among Indians by connecting diverse communities and inspiring a collective sense of identity and purpose. The proliferation of Indian press and literature in the 19th century significantly contributed to this awakening.

• National Literature: A surge of national literature emerged, challenging British rule and motivating people to unite against colonial oppression. This literature spread revolutionary ideas and encouraged resistance.

• Indian Press: Vernacular newspapers like the Indian Mirror, Bombay Samachar, The Amrita Bazar Patrika, The Hindu, and The Kesari were instrumental in shaping political consciousness. These publications featured articles from leaders such as Gandhi, Tagore, and Tilak, who shared ideas about freedom and independence with a wide audience.

Q10. Mention three innovations that have enhanced printing technology since the nineteenth century.
Ans. 

• Improved Paper Feeding Methods: Advances in paper feeding techniques have optimized the process of handling paper in printers.

• Enhanced Quality of Printing Plates: Upgrades in the quality of printing plates have led to more precise and clearer print results.

• Introduction of Automatic Paper Reels and Photoelectric Controls: The adoption of automatic paper reels and photoelectric controls for color registration has improved both efficiency and accuracy in printing.

Q11. How were books printed before the 15th century? Explain.
Ans.

• Hand Printing: Early book printing used hand printing techniques, which involved transferring ink from hand-carved blocks onto paper.

• Woodblock Printing in China: From around AD 594, books in China were printed by rubbing paper against inked woodblocks. Since thin paper couldn’t be printed on both sides, Chinese books were often created in an accordion style, folded and stitched on the side.

• Calligraphy Duplication: Skilled craftsmen could replicate calligraphy with remarkable precision and artistry, preserving the beauty of handwritten texts.

Q12. How did the transition from handprinting to mechanical printing contribute to the print revolution?
Ans. The shift from handprinting to mechanical printing sparked the print revolution by expanding the distribution of printing technology across Europe, boosting book production significantly, and increasing the availability of printed materials. This widespread distribution influenced public views and introduced new perspectives, fundamentally changing how information was shared and consumed.

• Expansion of Printing Presses: Between 1450 and 1550, printing presses were established throughout Europe, greatly expanding the reach of print technology.

• Growth of Printing Industry: German printers traveled to other countries, setting up new presses and contributing to a surge in book production.

• Increase in Book Production: By the second half of the 15th century, around 20 million printed books were produced in Europe, a number that soared to about 200 million in the 16th century.

• Impact on Society: The widespread availability of printed materials influenced public perceptions and introduced new ways of thinking.

Q13.  Explain the steps taken by the British colonial government to control the freedom of the press.
Ans. The British colonial government implemented a series of measures to control press freedom in India, evolving from initial laxity to stringent censorship. Early efforts targeted English critics of the Company, while later regulations, such as the Vernacular Press Act of 1878, imposed strict controls on Indian-language newspapers. These measures were aimed at suppressing dissent and maintaining colonial authority, reflecting the increasing tension between the British rulers and Indian political activism.

• Early Measures: Before 1798, the East India Company was relatively lax about press censorship. Its initial actions were aimed at English critics of Company misrule, concerned that such criticisms could undermine its trade monopoly.

• Regulations of the Calcutta Supreme Court: In the 1820s, the Calcutta Supreme Court introduced regulations to control press freedom. The Company encouraged newspapers that supported British rule. By 1835, Governor-General Bentinck revised press laws, restoring some freedoms after petitions from editors, with Thomas Macaulay formulating new rules.

• Vernacular Press Act: After the 1857 revolt, there was increased pressure to control the ‘native’ press. In 1878, the Vernacular Press Act was enacted, giving the government extensive powers to censor vernacular newspapers. The Act allowed the government to monitor newspapers, issue warnings for seditious content, and seize presses and machinery if warnings were ignored.