Changing Cultural Traditions Ch (5) Practice Quiz in English Part 2 || Class 11 History Practice Quizzes in English

Explanation: The term ‘Renaissance Man’ is often used to describe a person with many interests and skills. This is because many of the individuals who became well known during the Renaissance were accomplished in a variety of fields, such as art, literature, science, and diplomacy.  

Explanation: By the early fifteenth century, the term ‘humanist’ was used to describe masters who taught subjects such as grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history, and moral philosophy. These subjects were not directly connected to religion and emphasized the development of individual skills through discussion and debate.  

Explanation: Florence was known for its great citizens, including Dante Alighieri, a poet who wrote on religious themes, and Giotto, an artist who painted lifelike portraits. These individuals helped to establish Florence’s reputation as a center of intellectual and artistic activity.  

Explanation: Johannes Gutenberg, a German inventor, is credited with inventing the printing press around 1450. His invention revolutionized the spread of knowledge and ideas, making books and other printed materials available to a much wider audience.  

Explanation: Humanists believed that a ‘dark age’ had set in after the collapse of the Roman Empire. They saw this period as a time of intellectual and cultural decline, when the knowledge and achievements of the classical world were largely forgotten.  

Explanation: Florence and Venice were two of the most prominent republics in Italy during the Renaissance. These cities were governed by elected officials and had a strong tradition of civic participation.  

Explanation: Jacob Burckhardt’s book, The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy, published in 1860, drew attention to the literature, architecture, and painting of the Renaissance. In this book, he argued that a new ‘humanist’ culture had flourished in Italian towns from the fourteenth to the seventeenth century.  

Explanation: Burckhardt used the term ‘humanist’ to describe individuals who were interested in a wide range of subjects, including literature, art, history, and philosophy. These individuals believed in the importance of human values and the potential for human development.  

Explanation: Recent historians have questioned the sharp division between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance for several reasons. More research has shown that the Middle Ages were not as culturally stagnant as previously thought, and there is evidence of intellectual and artistic activity throughout this period. It is also considered unfair to label any period as the ‘Dark Ages’.  

Explanation: The revival of Italian cities was fueled by several factors, including the expansion of trade between the Byzantine Empire and Islamic countries, the opening of the Silk Route by the Mongols, and increased trade with Western European countries. These trade routes brought wealth and new ideas to Italian cities, contributing to their cultural and economic growth.  

Explanation: Arab translators played a crucial role in preserving and translating ancient Greek and Roman texts during the Middle Ages. These translations were later rediscovered by European scholars during the Renaissance, contributing to the revival of classical learning.  

Explanation: Francesco Petrarch was a scholar who played a crucial role in the development of humanism. He advocated for a close reading of ancient Greek and Roman texts, believing that they held valuable knowledge that could not be found in religious teachings alone.  

Explanation: The earliest universities in Europe, such as those in Padua and Bologna, focused on legal studies. This was due to the growing importance of commerce in Italian cities, which created a demand for lawyers and notaries to handle legal matters related to trade.  

Explanation: While Milan was an important city in Italy during the Renaissance, it was not as renowned as a center of art and learning as Florence, Rome, and Venice. These three cities were home to some of the most famous artists, writers, and thinkers of the time.  

Explanation: Humanist ideas were not solely focused on religious teachings. While humanists did not reject religion, they believed that there was much to be learned from classical Greek and Roman texts that could not be found in religious teachings alone.  

Explanation: The term ‘Renaissance’ literally means rebirth. It was used to describe the cultural changes in Europe from the fourteenth to the seventeenth century, which were characterized by a renewed interest in classical art and learning.  

Explanation: Humanists used the term ‘modern’ to describe the period from the fifteenth century onwards. They saw this period as a time of renewal and rebirth, when the values and ideals of the classical world were being rediscovered.  

Explanation: Leopold von Ranke, a German historian, believed that the primary concern of historians was to write about states and politics using official documents and records. This approach was later challenged by his student, Jacob Burckhardt, who emphasized the importance of culture in history.  

Explanation: The Latin word ‘humanitas’, from which the term ‘humanities’ is derived, originally meant culture. It was used by the Roman writer Cicero to refer to the knowledge and skills that were considered essential for a well-rounded education.  

Explanation: Burckhardt contrasted the ‘modern’ man of the Renaissance with the ‘medieval’ man, whose thinking he believed was controlled by the Church. The ‘medieval’ man was seen as less focused on individual decision-making and more bound by religious dogma.