Chapter 5 - Print Culture & The Modern World – Class 10 History Important MCQ's (CBSE)

🧠 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) - Chapter 5: Print Culture and the Modern World

Practice these 30 carefully selected MCQs covering all key concepts from the chapter. Includes standard, assertion-reasoning, and case-based questions as per latest CBSE pattern. Perfect for quick revision and self-assessment.

Standard MCQs (1 Mark Each)

Choose the single correct option for questions 1 to 15.

The earliest kind of print technology was developed in:

(a) China, Japan, and Korea

(b) Germany and France

(c) India and Persia

(d) Britain and America

Answer: (a) China, Japan, and Korea
Explanation: Earliest print technology using woodblocks developed in East Asia.
The Gutenberg Bible was printed in the:

(a) 1450s

(b) 1500s

(c) 1550s

(d) 1600s

Answer: (a) 1450s
Explanation: Gutenberg printed the first Bible around 1455 using movable type.
Johann Gutenberg was from:

(a) France

(b) Germany

(c) Italy

(d) England

Answer: (b) Germany
Explanation: Johannes Gutenberg was a German goldsmith who invented printing press.
The "Print Revolution" refers to:

(a) Invention of paper

(b) Shift from hand printing to mechanical printing

(c) Development of manuscripts

(d) Spread of oral culture

Answer: (b) Shift from hand printing to mechanical printing
Explanation: Print Revolution was transformation brought by movable type printing press.
Martin Luther's "95 Theses" criticized:

(a) Catholic Church's corruption

(b) Sale of indulgences

(c) King's authority

(d) Islamic practices

Answer: (b) Sale of indulgences
Explanation: Luther's 95 Theses (1517) attacked Church's sale of indulgences (pardons for sins).
The "Index of Prohibited Books" was maintained by:

(a) Protestant churches

(b) Roman Catholic Church

(c) French monarchy

(d) British government

Answer: (b) Roman Catholic Church
Explanation: Catholic Church maintained Index of banned books to control "heretical" ideas.
The first printed book in India was in:

(a) Tamil language

(b) Sanskrit language

(c) Portuguese language

(d) Konkani language

Answer: (c) Portuguese language
Explanation: First Indian printed book was in Portuguese by Jesuit missionaries in Goa (1557).
James Augustus Hicky is known for:

(a) First Indian newspaper

(b) First printing press in India

(c) First Indian novel

(d) First Indian magazine

Answer: (a) First Indian newspaper
Explanation: Hicky started "Bengal Gazette" in 1780, India's first newspaper.
The "Vernacular Press Act" was passed in:

(a) 1857

(b) 1878

(c) 1885

(d) 1905

Answer: (b) 1878
Explanation: Lord Lytton passed Vernacular Press Act in 1878 to curb nationalist newspapers.
Raja Rammohun Roy published the newspaper:

(a) Sambad Kaumudi

(b) Bengal Gazette

(c) Kesari

(d) Hindu Patriot

Answer: (a) Sambad Kaumudi
Explanation: Rammohun Roy published Sambad Kaumudi (Bengali) in 1821 for social reform.
"Amar Jiban" was the autobiography of:

(a) Sarojini Naidu

(b) Rashsundari Debi

(c) Tarabai Shinde

(d) Pandita Ramabai

Answer: (b) Rashsundari Debi
Explanation: "Amar Jiban" (1876) was first autobiography by an Indian woman, Rashsundari Debi.
The "Penny Magazine" was aimed at:

(a) Aristocratic readers

(b) Working class education

(c) Children only

(d) Religious propaganda

Answer: (b) Working class education
Explanation: Penny Magazine (1832) provided cheap, instructive reading for workers.
"Stri Purush Tulana" was written by:

(a) Rokeya Hossain

(b) Tarabai Shinde

(c) Kailashbashini Debi

(d) Begum Rokeya

Answer: (b) Tarabai Shinde
Explanation: "Stri Purush Tulana" (1882) by Tarabai Shinde criticized gender double standards.
The "Deoband Seminary" published:

(a) Fatwas on religious conduct

(b) Nationalist newspapers

(c) Women's magazines

(d) Scientific journals

Answer: (a) Fatwas on religious conduct
Explanation: Deoband Seminary (founded 1867) published fatwas telling Muslims how to live correctly.
"Chote Aur Bade Ka Sawal" was written by:

(a) Premchand

(b) Kashibaba

(c) Sudharak

(d) Jyotiba Phule

Answer: (b) Kashibaba
Explanation: Kashibaba's "Chote Aur Bade Ka Sawal" discussed caste and class exploitation.

Assertion-Reasoning Questions (1 Mark Each)

Directions: For questions 16 to 25, a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason (R). Choose the correct option:

(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

(b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A

(d) A is false but R is true

Assertion (A): Print created conditions for the French Revolution.
Reason (R): Print popularized Enlightenment ideas criticizing tradition and authority.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: Print spread Enlightenment ideas questioning monarchy, paving way for revolution.
Assertion (A): Women became important readers and writers in 19th century.
Reason (R): Printing created new opportunities for women's education and expression.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: Access to printed material and publishing enabled women's literary participation.
Assertion (A): Protestant Reformation used printing effectively.
Reason (R): Luther's writings were copied by hand and slowly distributed.
Answer: (c) A is true but R is false
Explanation: Luther's ideas spread rapidly through PRINTING press, not slow hand copying.
Assertion (A): British colonial government censored Indian press.
Reason (R): They wanted to promote freedom of expression in India.
Answer: (c) A is true but R is false
Explanation: British censored press to control nationalist criticism, not promote free expression.
Assertion (A): Print encouraged religious debates in 16th century Europe.
Reason (R): Different interpretations of faith were widely published and circulated.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: Printing allowed multiple religious views to circulate, fueling Reformation debates.
Assertion (A): Indian novels developed in 19th century.
Reason (R): Printing technology made books cheaper and more accessible.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: Printing enabled mass production of novels, creating new readership.
Assertion (A): Cartoons and caricatures criticized colonial rule in India.
Reason (R): Visual prints could communicate even to illiterate people.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: Cartoons used visual satire accessible to all, bypassing literacy barriers.
Assertion (A): Manuscripts remained important in India even after printing.
Reason (R): Printed books were considered less sacred than handwritten manuscripts.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: Manuscripts held religious sanctity, especially for Sanskrit texts.
Assertion (A): Children's press developed in 19th century Europe.
Reason (R): Primary education became compulsory creating demand for children's books.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: Compulsory education laws created market for school textbooks and children's literature.
Assertion (A): Print helped create sense of collective identity among Indians.
Reason (R): Newspapers reported local events only, ignoring national issues.
Answer: (c) A is true but R is false
Explanation: Print created national consciousness by reporting NATIONAL events and debates.

Case-Based Questions (1 Mark Each)

For questions 26 to 30, read the case/source carefully and answer.

Case: "Printing is the ultimate gift of God and the greatest one." - Martin Luther
Why did Luther value printing so highly?

(a) It made him wealthy

(b) It spread his religious ideas rapidly

(c) It preserved ancient manuscripts

(d) It created beautiful artwork

Answer: (b) It spread his religious ideas rapidly
Explanation: Luther's Protestant Reformation succeeded largely due to printing press spreading his writings.

Case: Study the growth of newspapers in colonial India:

Newspaper	Year Started	Language	Editor/Founder
Bengal Gazette	1780	English	James Hicky
Sambad Kaumudi	1821	Bengali	Rammohun Roy
Bombay Samachar	1822	Gujarati	Fardoonji Murzban
Kesari	1881	Marathi	Bal Gangadhar Tilak

What trend does this table show about Indian press?

(a) Only English newspapers existed

(b) Growth of vernacular newspapers over time

(d) Government control decreased

Answer: (b) Growth of vernacular newspapers over time
Explanation: Shows development from English to various Indian language newspapers.

Case: "Libraries became places for self-education and social interaction. Working people borrowed books and discussed ideas."
What role did print culture play according to this?

(a) Restricted knowledge to elites

(b) Democratized access to knowledge

(c) Reduced social interactions

(d) Made books more expensive

Answer: (b) Democratized access to knowledge
Explanation: Libraries and cheap print made knowledge accessible to common people.
Case: "In 19th century Bengal, Battala publications produced cheap books, almanacs, and religious texts for common people."
What was significant about Battala publications?

(a) They were expensive luxury items

(b) They made print accessible to masses

(c) They were only in English

(d) They avoided religious topics

Answer: (b) They made print accessible to masses
Explanation: Battala (Calcutta's printing district) produced affordable books for ordinary readers.

Case: Read about censorship laws in colonial India:

Act/Law	Year	Purpose
Press Act	1835	Required government approval for publications
Vernacular Press Act	1878	Controlled Indian language newspapers
Newspaper Act	1908	Allowed confiscation of press property
Indian Press Act	1910	Imposed security deposits on newspapers

What does this pattern of legislation indicate?

(a) British support for free press

(b) Increasing restrictions on Indian press

(d) Promotion of vernacular languages

Answer: (b) Increasing restrictions on Indian press
Explanation: Shows escalating colonial control over Indian press as nationalism grew.

📝 How to Use This Section Effectively

First attempt: Try all questions without looking at answers

Check answers: Compare your responses with provided answers

Review mistakes: For wrong answers, revisit the related concept in Smart Notes

Time yourself: Aim to complete 30 MCQs within 20-25 minutes

Revise regularly: Re-attempt questions you found difficult after 2-3 days

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