History · General Awareness

History of Religion

2,350 Questions

The history of religion tracks the evolution of major faiths, religious movements, and their influence on global conflicts. These historical themes are integral to the general awareness syllabus of civil services and staff selection exams. The questions explore the Protestant Reformation, Counter-Reformation, the Crusades, and papal influences.

Protestant ReformationCounter-ReformationThe CrusadesReligious settlementsRoman Empire and ChristianityHumanism in religion

History of Religion Questions

Multiple choice social studies print culture and the modern world film and print media evolution of writing and communication system great reformers and reform movements

Printing created possibilities for wider circulation of ideas. Who among the following hailed printing as the ultimate gift of God ? 

  1. Martin Luther

  2. Menocchio

  3. Roman Catholic Church

  4. Gutenberg
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
Through the publications of his protestant ideas, Martin Luther challenged the orthodox practices and rituals of the Roman Catholic Church. He wrote 95 theses criticizing many of the practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Luther's writings were immediately reproduced in vast numbers and read widely.
This led to a division within the church and the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. He also translated the New Testament of which 5000 copies were sold within a few days. These were impossible without printing technology. Deeply grateful to the print, Luther said, "Printing is the ultimate gift of God and the greatest one." 
Multiple choice social studies print culture and the modern world film and print media evolution of writing and communication system great reformers and reform movements

Who introduced hand-printing technology into Japan?

  1. Buddhist missionaries

  2. Christian missionaries

  3. Muslim maulvis

  4. Jain missionaries
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

a. Buddhist missionaries


The Buddhist missionaries from China introduced hand-printing technology into Japan around 768 – 770 AD. The Buddhist Diamond Sutra which was printed in 868 AD was the oldest Japanese book. Libraries and bookstores were packed with hand-printed materials of various types. These included books on women, musical instruments, calculations, tea ceremony, flower arrangements, proper etiquette, cooking and famous places.

Multiple choice history europe in transition reformation the reformation reformation in europe

The works of Zwingly spread Protestant sect in Switzerland. In which of the following year did Zwingly die?

  1. 1531 A.D.

  2. 1541 A.D.

  3. 1521 A.D.

  4. 1511 A.D.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Huldrych or Ulrich Zwingly was a famous religious leader and the most important reformer of Swiss Protestant Reformation. He was born on 01 January 1484 at Wildhaus in the Toggenburg (Switzerland) and died on 11 October 1531 near Kappel (Switzerland). He died in a battle fighting for his city Zurich.

Multiple choice history europe in transition reformation the reformation reformation in europe

Who wrote the book 'Institutes of Christian Religion' during the reformation?

  1. John Huss

  2. John Calvin

  3. Martin Luther

  4. Zwingly
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The book 'Institutes of Christian Religion' was written by famous French theologian, pastor and reformer John Calvin. The book was first published in the Latin language in 1536. It is known as the most powerful works of Protestant theology.

Multiple choice ancient world history world history general knowledge

What happened in Western Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire was similar to what occured in ___________.

  1. China after the fall of the Han

  2. Japan after the end of the Tokugawa Ghogunate

  3. The Holy land after the unsuccessful crusades ended

  4. The Andes when the Spanish ousted in Inca
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The collapse of the Roman Empire in the West led to fragmentation and the rise of feudalism, which is historically compared to the fragmentation and political instability following the fall of the Han Dynasty in China.

Multiple choice ancient world history world history general knowledge

How did Saint Boniface help of shape of German Church?

  1. Writing the epic 'Beowulf'

  2. Writing 'The Rule of Saint Benedict'

  3. Preaching against the importance of monasteries

  4. Preaching against the divorce, incest and polygamy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Saint Boniface was a missionary who played a pivotal role in the Christianization of the Germanic tribes. He is known for his efforts to reform the church and enforce moral standards, including preaching against practices like incest and polygamy.

Multiple choice history the middle ages europe in the middle ages feudal systems in europe medieval america and decline of feudalism

The cultural bankruptcy of Europe during the Middle Ages is often referred to as _________ Age.

  1. Dark

  2. Bright

  3. Black

  4. Golden
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The period following the fall of the Roman Empire in Europe is historically referred to as the Dark Ages due to the perceived decline in cultural and intellectual activity.

Multiple choice history the middle ages europe in the middle ages feudal systems in europe medieval america and decline of feudalism

The rise of barbaric tribes in Europe led to the emergence of

  1. Feudal system

  2. Social revolution

  3. Religious reformation

  4. Renaissance
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The instability caused by the collapse of central authority and the rise of barbaric tribes led to the development of the feudal system, where land was exchanged for protection and service.

Multiple choice history the middle ages europe in the middle ages feudal systems in europe medieval america and decline of feudalism

In the Middle Ages, a monk could become ________.

  1. A Chronicler

  2. An expert in herbal medicine

  3. An expert in writing and illustrating books

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Monks in the Middle Ages performed a variety of roles, including chronicling history, practicing medicine, and copying/illustrating manuscripts.

Multiple choice history the middle ages europe in the middle ages feudal systems in europe medieval america and decline of feudalism

According to priests in the Middle Age, what would happen to the soul on the doomsday if had not committed any sins?

  1. The soul would go to hell

  2. The soul would go to hell and be tortured forever

  3. The soul would go to heaven

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

According to medieval religious doctrine, those who lived without sin were believed to be rewarded with entry into heaven.

Multiple choice history the middle ages europe in the middle ages feudal systems in europe medieval america and decline of feudalism

What did people believe that could help them reduce the number of years they would spend in purgatory?

  1. Saints could help them reduce the number of years they would spend in purgatory

  2. Getting close to saints by visiting their graves

  3. By paying to see objects that had belonged to saints

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Medieval popular piety included the veneration of saints, visiting their graves, and viewing relics as ways to seek intercession and reduce time in purgatory.

Multiple choice history the middle ages europe in the middle ages feudal systems in europe medieval america and decline of feudalism

What were the main problems in the Middle Ages in gaining knowledge?

  1. There was no internet

  2. Books were handwritten in Latin

  3. Most of the books were in monastery libraries, where they were chained up to stop them being stolen

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The lack of modern technology, the use of Latin, and the physical restriction of books in monastic libraries were all significant barriers to widespread knowledge in the Middle Ages.