The obvious advantage of having printed text and visual images together on one sheet was quickly grasped by monks, who saw its as a means of spreading knowledge, and as an economic and effective way to get their message across to a wide audience. The monasteries, however, by no means had a monopoly on the production and sale of woodcut printing; in fact, probably the most profitable area of European printmaking was the production of playing cards. Nonetheless, the content of most surviving block-books is essentially biblical. The purpose of the illustrations was functional: to make the meaning of the stories as clear and as understandable as possible to those who were unable to read the often difficult text. It was also a result of the need to the stories that the characters were presented in contemporary clothes and the illustrations contained details of ordinary life in the late Middle Ages.
Result:
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Correct answer: appear
Explanation: The word 'appear' fits grammatically as it indicates the onset of something becoming visible or known, aligning with the context of the emergence of printed books. It is in the correct tense and matches the subject 'books'.
Meaning: 'Appear' means to become visible or to come into view, which in this context refers to the first printed books becoming available.
Wrong options:
- occur: The word 'occur' implies an event happening but does not convey the sense of visibility or emergence that 'appear' does, making it less suitable here.
- publish: 'Publish' refers specifically to the act of making content available to the public, which does not fit the context of the books simply becoming visible or known.
- seem: 'Seem' suggests a perception rather than an actual emergence, which does not accurately describe the introduction of printed books.
Correct answer: added
Explanation: The word 'added' is appropriate as it indicates the action of including decorations and ornate capitals, fitting grammatically and contextually with the sentence structure.
Meaning: 'Added' means to include something extra, which in this case refers to the miniaturist painters including decorations in the books.
Wrong options:
- made: 'Made' implies creation but does not specifically convey the act of including something additional, which is essential in this context.
- printed: 'Printed' refers to the process of producing text or images, which does not align with the idea of including decorative elements by painters.
- copied: 'Copied' suggests duplication rather than inclusion, making it unsuitable for the context of adding decorations.
Correct answer: entirely
Explanation: The word 'entirely' fits well as it emphasizes that the texts and pictures were fully printed from woodblocks, aligning with the context of completeness in the printing process.
Meaning: 'Entirely' means completely or wholly, indicating that the printing was done in a comprehensive manner from woodblocks.
Wrong options:
- early: 'Early' refers to time and does not relate to the completeness of the printing process, making it irrelevant here.
- singly: 'Singly' implies one at a time, which does not convey the idea of comprehensive printing from woodblocks as 'entirely' does.
- only: 'Only' suggests exclusivity, which does not fit the context of the printing process being complete.
Correct answer: potential
Explanation: The word 'potential' is suitable as it indicates the inherent capability of the printed text and images to spread knowledge, fitting both grammatically and contextually within the sentence.
Meaning: 'Potential' refers to the possibility or capability for something to happen, in this case, the ability to spread knowledge effectively.
Wrong options:
- possibility: 'Possibility' refers to the likelihood of something occurring, which is less impactful than 'potential' in this context.
- advantage: 'Advantage' implies a benefit but does not capture the broader capability suggested by 'potential'.
- ability: 'Ability' refers to the skill to do something, which is not as fitting as 'potential' in conveying the broader implications of spreading knowledge.
Correct answer: popularize
Explanation: The word 'popularize' is appropriate as it indicates the action of making the stories more widely known and accessible, aligning well with the context of the illustrations' purpose.
Meaning: 'Popularize' means to make something well-known or liked by many people, which in this context refers to making the stories more relatable and understandable.
Wrong options:
- simplify: 'Simplify' means to make something easier to understand, but does not capture the broader intent of making the stories popular among the audience.
- modernize: 'Modernize' implies updating something to fit contemporary standards, which does not align with the goal of making the stories more relatable to the audience.
- improve: 'Improve' suggests making something better but lacks the specific connotation of making something widely accepted or liked, as 'popularize' does.
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