Historian Dr. Robert Lee argues that the printing press was the most transformative technology of the past millennium. He contends that it democratized knowledge by making books affordable and enabling rapid spread of new ideas.
Which historical evidence would best support Lee's claim about the printing press's transformative impact?
The printing press was invented by Gutenberg in the 1440s
Some medieval manuscripts were beautifully illustrated
Book prices dropped by 80% after the printing press, literacy rates doubled within a century, and ideas spread between cities in weeks rather than years
After the printing press, book production increased from 15,000 titles per century to 200,000 titles per century in Europe, while the Protestant Reformation spread across continents within decades through printed pamphlets
Correct Answer: D
Choice D is the best answer. Multi-dimensional evidence: production boom, knowledge spread, and historical impact (Reformation).
- Context clues: Lee claims the press "democratized knowledge" and enabled "rapid spread."
- Evidence evaluation: 13x production + Reformation spread proves both claims.
- Verify: Quantitative data + concrete historical example.
💡 Strategy: "Most transformative" claims need evidence of transformative scale.
Choice A is incorrect because invention date doesn't prove transformative impact. Choice B is incorrect because manuscript quality doesn't address printing's impact. Choice C is also strong but D provides more historical specificity with the Reformation example.