Historian Dr. Lisa Chen argues that the printing press was more revolutionary than the internet for spreading ideas, because it created mass literacy where none existed before, while the internet mainly accelerates existing communication.
Which historical comparison would best support Chen's argument?
Both technologies changed communication
The internet reaches more people than books
European literacy rates rose from 5% to 50% within 200 years of the printing press; internet adoption merely doubled already-fast information speed, adding no new readers to the global literate population
Gutenberg invented the printing press in the 1440s
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the best answer. Quantifies the difference: printing created literacy (5%→50%), internet accelerated but didn't expand literacy.
- Context clues: Chen claims printing "created" capability; internet just "accelerates."
- Evidence evaluation: 10x literacy gain vs no new readers proves fundamentally different impact.
- Verify: Matches the revolutionary vs accelerator distinction.
💡 Strategy: Comparative claims need metrics showing the nature of each impact.