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FAQs on CBSE Class 10 Social Science Print Culture and the Modern World MCQ Questions 2025-26
1. What were some of the most important technological innovations in printing during the 19th century that are relevant for the CBSE 2025-26 board exams?
Several key innovations in the 19th century revolutionised the printing industry. For your exams, focus on these three:
- Power-driven Cylindrical Press: Perfected by Richard M. Hoe, this press could print up to 8,000 sheets per hour, making it exceptionally useful for the mass production of newspapers.
- Offset Press: Developed towards the end of the century, the offset press introduced the capability of printing in multiple colours, adding a new visual dimension to printed materials.
- Electrically Operated Presses: The introduction of electric power in the late 19th and early 20th centuries further accelerated the speed and efficiency of printing operations, increasing output exponentially.
2. Explain the significance of the Gutenberg Press in the context of the European print revolution.
The Gutenberg Press, developed by Johannes Gutenberg around 1448, is a frequently asked question because of its immense historical importance. Its significance lies in:
- It was the first press to use moveable metal types, which dramatically reduced the time and cost of producing books compared to handwritten manuscripts.
- The first major book printed, the Gutenberg Bible, demonstrated the potential for high-quality mass production, setting a new standard.
- By making knowledge more affordable and accessible, it played a critical role in fuelling major historical movements like the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution.
3. How did print culture contribute to the growth of nationalism in India? This is a very important question for Class 10 boards.
Print culture was instrumental in fostering nationalist sentiment in India. For a 3 or 5-mark answer, you should mention the following points:
- Dissemination of Nationalist Ideas: Vernacular newspapers and journals, like Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s ‘Kesari’, became powerful tools for criticising colonial policies and spreading ideas of self-rule and swadeshi.
- Connecting Communities: Print helped connect nationalist leaders and movements across different parts of the vast country, creating a shared sense of identity and purpose among diverse linguistic and ethnic groups.
- Fostering Public Debate: It created a public sphere where issues of social and political importance could be debated openly. This encouraged a culture of questioning colonial authority and imagining an independent India.
4. Beyond just spreading information, how did the print revolution create a new culture of debate and dialogue in 18th-century Europe?
This is a higher-order thinking question. Print did more than just circulate information; it fundamentally created a new public sphere of debate. By making the writings of thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau widely available, it challenged the absolute and unquestioned authority of the monarchy and the Church. It exposed people to conflicting ideas, encouraging them to think critically and form their own opinions. This led to a culture where ideas were discussed in public spaces like coffeehouses and salons, and ordinary people began to see themselves as part of a public capable of questioning power, which laid the ideological foundation for democratic revolutions.
5. What was the Vernacular Press Act of 1878, and why is it an important example of colonial censorship?
The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was a highly repressive law passed by the British administration in India. It provided the government with extensive powers to censor reports and editorials in the vernacular (non-English) press. It is a critical example of censorship because its primary goal was to suppress the growing nationalist movement by preventing the native press from criticising British policies and mobilising public opinion against colonial rule.
6. Did the invention of printing immediately replace handwritten manuscripts? Explain the relationship between the two.
No, the invention of printing did not immediately replace handwritten manuscripts; this is a common misconception. For a significant period, the two forms of text production coexisted. Early printed books often tried to mimic the appearance of manuscripts, leaving space for illustrators to add hand-painted details. The wealthy elite often continued to commission expensive, handwritten books as unique status symbols. Therefore, the transition was gradual, with print and manuscript cultures influencing each other for many decades.
7. "Print did not directly shape people's minds, but it did open up the possibility of thinking differently." Justify this important statement from your Class 10 chapter.
This statement highlights that print's influence was complex and not automatic. People were not passive consumers; they interpreted what they read through their own experiences and beliefs. The key points to justify this are:
- Exposure to Diverse Ideas: Readers had access to a wide range of materials, including not just revolutionary ideas but also propaganda from the Church and monarchies.
- Active Interpretation: People did not uniformly accept new ideas. They could be persuaded, they could reinforce their existing views, or they could blend ideas.
- Creating a New Environment: The true power of print was in creating an environment where alternative viewpoints were in constant circulation. This possibility of encountering different ways of thinking was itself revolutionary, as it encouraged a culture of questioning and debate.
8. What were 'chapbooks' and 'Biliothèque Bleue'? Why are they considered important for understanding the reach of print culture?
These were forms of cheap, popular literature that were crucial for expanding readership to the masses in Europe.
- Chapbooks: These were pocket-sized books sold in England by travelling pedlars known as 'chapmen'. They contained popular tales, ballads, and almanacs.
- Biliothèque Bleue: This refers to low-priced small books printed in France on poor quality paper, recognisable by their cheap blue covers.
