MCQs:

1. What was a key feature of the new reading public after the invention of the printing press?

   – A) Restricted reading to religious texts

   – B) Only elites could access printed materials

   – C) Expansion of literacy beyond elites

   – D) Oral culture completely disappeared

2. How did printers attract readers from non-literate backgrounds?

   – A) By distributing books for free

   – B) By creating illustrated books and ballads

   – C) By banning oral storytelling

   – D) By offering reading classes with each book

3. Which of the following best describes the transition from oral to print culture?

   – A) Oral culture was replaced entirely by print

   – B) Oral and print cultures blended together

   – C) Only religious texts were printed

   – D) Print culture discouraged public readings

4. What type of content was popular among the new reading public?

   – A) Only scientific journals

   – B) Sacred texts without illustrations

   – C) Ballads, folk tales, and illustrated books

   – D) Technical manuals exclusively

Answers and Explanations:

1. C) Expansion of literacy beyond elites – The printing press made books more affordable, increasing literacy among the general public.

2. B) By creating illustrated books and ballads – Illustrated books and ballads appealed to both literate and non-literate audiences.

3. B) Oral and print cultures blended together – Oral traditions continued alongside print culture, with printed materials often read aloud.

4. C) Ballads, folk tales, and illustrated books – These forms were popular as they were engaging and accessible to a wide audience.