TOEFL Comprehension Passage 2

 

Here is an amazing TOEFL comprehension passage, questions with answers:

The invention of the printing press in the 15th century had a profound impact on the way people communicated and shared information. Before the printing press, books were handwritten and very expensive. This meant that only a small number of people could afford to own books, and most people had very limited access to information.

The printing press made it possible to produce books more quickly and cheaply, which led to a dramatic increase in the number of books in circulation. This made it possible for more people to learn to read and write, and it also led to the spread of new ideas and knowledge.

The printing press also had a significant impact on the way people thought about the world. Before the printing press, most people relied on oral tradition or handwritten manuscripts for information. This meant that they were often exposed to only one perspective on a given issue. The printing press made it possible for people to see different perspectives and to think more critically about the world around them.

Questions:

• What is the main idea of the passage?

• The main idea of the passage is that the invention of the printing press had a profound impact on the way people communicated and shared information.

• What were the two main limitations of books before the printing press?

• The two main limitations of books before the printing press were that they were handwritten and very expensive.

• How did the printing press make it possible for more people to learn to read and write?

• The printing press made it possible for more people to learn to read and write because it made books more affordable. This meant that more people could afford to own books, and this led to an increase in the demand for education.

• What was the impact of the printing press on the way people thought about the world?

• The printing press had a significant impact on the way people thought about the world because it made it possible for people to see different perspectives and to think more critically about the world around them.

• What is one example of a new idea that spread as a result of the printing press?

• One example of a new idea that spread as a result of the printing press is the Protestant Reformation. The Protestant Reformation was a religious movement that challenged the authority of the Catholic Church. The printing press made it possible for Martin Luther's writings to be distributed widely, which helped to spread the Protestant message.

Answers:

• The main idea of the passage is that the invention of the printing press had a profound impact on the way people communicated and shared information.

• The two main limitations of books before the printing press were that they were handwritten and very expensive.

• The printing press made it possible for more people to learn to read and write because it made books more affordable. This meant that more people could afford to own books, and this led to an increase in the demand for education.

• The printing press had a significant impact on the way people thought about the world because it made it possible for people to see different perspectives and to think more critically about the world around them.

• One example of a new idea that spread as a result of the printing press is the Protestant Reformation.