Renaissance quiz

Read this sentence.

The Renaissance is a period in the history of Europe beginning in about 1400, and following the Medieval period.

In what year did the Medieval period end?

• 1400

• 1300

• 1500

• 1600

Read the paragraph.

"Renaissance" is a French word meaning "rebirth". The period is called by this name because at that time, people started taking an interest in the learning of ancient times, in particular the learning of Ancient Greece and Rome. The Renaissance was seen as a "rebirth" of that learning. The Renaissance is often said to be the start of the "modern age".

Why was the Renaissance called "rebirth"? Check all that apply.

• Someone had a baby

• People took an interest in learning of ancient times.

• People looked at the cultures of Ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration.

• People looked to the future to better themselves and create better cultures.

During the Renaissance, there were many famous artists, many writers and many philosophers. Many people studied mathematics and different sciences. A person who is clever at a great number of things is sometimes called a "Renaissance man". Leonardo da Vinci, who was a painter, a scientist, a musician and a philosopher, is the most famous Renaissance Man.

Why was Leonardo da Vinci called a “Renaissance Man?”

• Because he was excellent an a lot of different things.

• Because he was born during the time period.

• Because people painted pictures that looked like him in the Renaissance

• He was good at being a philosopher only.

Most books at that time were written in Latin, the language of the Ancient Romans that was used in the Catholic Church and only understood by priests and well-educated people. People were forbidden by law from copying the Bible into Italian, English, German, French or other "local" languages.

Who were most of the books written for?

• Books were written in Latin, the language of the Romans.

• Books were written for priests, and well-educated people.

• Books were copied for the English, Italian, German, and French.

• The books told many stories about the Renaissance.

In 1423 the first printed books were made in Europe. The way of printing quickly improved so that large books like the Bible could be made and sold cheaply. It took 300 calf skins or 100 pig skins to print the Bible. The printers then began to print everything that they thought was interesting:- Ancient Greek and Roman writings, poetry, plays, lives of the saints, mathematics textbooks, medical textbooks, Christian stories, books about animals and monsters, advice to princes as to how to rule their people and maps of the world.

Before 1423, all this knowledge belonged to priests, monasteries and universities. Suddenly, all this wonderful knowledge was available to thousands of people who never had it before.

Why was printing books so important? Select the best two answers.

• Books could now be made and sold cheaply

• The people had too many calves and pigs.

• The books spread knowledge to many people.

• The books were mostly about Christian stories, animals, and monsters.