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 history modern age in europe: the renaissance renaissance renaissance europe in transition india's contemporary economic condition reformation and enlightenment in europe reformation in europe

_______ means rebirth or revival.

  1. Reformation

  2. Revolution

  3. Renunciation

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

"Renaissance" is a French word meaning rebirth or revival. Europe witnessed extensive prosperity during the later Middle Ages. There were many thinkers and researchers in various walks of life. The Europeans advanced in religious power, political power, economy, social structure, art, literature, science, etc. Renaissance means all round progress in various walks of life. 

Multiple choice history modern age in europe: the renaissance renaissance renaissance europe in transition india's contemporary economic condition reformation and enlightenment in europe reformation in europe

From whom did the humanist scholars acquire books during the Renaissance?

  1. Turks

  2. Arabs

  3. Jews

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

During the Renaissance, the humanist scholars acquired the books from the Arabs and retranslated them into Greek and Latin and studied them.

Multiple choice history modern age in europe: the renaissance renaissance renaissance europe in transition india's contemporary economic condition reformation and enlightenment in europe reformation in europe

Which one of the following was not an objective of the geographical explorations?

  1. Finding a sea route to India

  2. Reformation of the church

  3. Propagation of Christianity in new lands

  4. Earning more profits.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
Reasons for geographical explorations: 
i) The Turks had captured Constantinople in the year 1453. They blocked the short route to go to Asia. So, the Europeans were keen on discovering a sea route to India. 
ii) Discovery of new countries and the possibility of spreading Christianity as they believed their religion to be superior.
iii) Europeans believed that China was a fertile place to make profit. 
Multiple choice history modern age in europe: the renaissance renaissance renaissance europe in transition india's contemporary economic condition reformation and enlightenment in europe reformation in europe

A new _____ culture had flowered in Italian towns from the fourteenth to the seventeenth century.

  1. Humanist

  2. Religious

  3. Socialist

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

A new humanist culture had flowered in Italian towns from the fourteenth to the seventeenth century. This culture was characterized by a new belief – that man, as an individual, was capable of making his own decisions and developing his skills.

Multiple choice history modern age in europe: the renaissance renaissance renaissance europe in transition india's contemporary economic condition reformation and enlightenment in europe reformation in europe

The person who tried to strengthen the Catholic Chruch by organizing the Counter Reformation was.

  1. John Calvin

  2. Wycliffe

  3. Martin Luther

  4. Ignatius Loyola
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The leader of this counter-reformation was the Spanish aristocrat called Ignatius Loyola. He founded the 'Society of Jesuits.' Their main aim was to restore the glory and authority of the Roman Catholic Church. The main objective was to impart good education to the followers of this organisation and make them dedicate their lives to the service of the society. 

Multiple choice history modern age in europe: the renaissance renaissance renaissance europe in transition india's contemporary economic condition reformation and enlightenment in europe reformation in europe

The movement that caused a split in Christianity was.

  1. Religious reformation

  2. Confession letters

  3. Counter Reformation

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

The religious reformation heralded the beginning of a new age. The movement started by Martin Luther was known as religious reformation. This movement led to the split of Christianity and a new sect called 'Protestant Sect' appeared. 

Multiple choice history modern age in europe: the renaissance renaissance renaissance europe in transition india's contemporary economic condition reformation and enlightenment in europe reformation in europe

Pardon certificates were called _______.

  1. Indulgences

  2. Inquisition

  3. Simony

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

The clergy collected a sum called the 'Peter's Pence' from the people. Pope Leo X wanted to build St. Peter's Church. So, he issued pardon certificates called 'Indulgences' to those who gave money to build the church. Indulgences were letters which were remitted punishments of the sinners who bought them, both in this life and after their death. 

Multiple choice history modern age in europe: the renaissance renaissance renaissance europe in transition india's contemporary economic condition reformation and enlightenment in europe reformation in europe

______ protested against the evils prevalent in the Roman Catholic church.

  1. Erasmus

  2. Martin Luther

  3. Wycliffe

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

Martin Luther was a German professor, composer, priest, and monk.  He rejected several teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church and led the Protestant Reformation in 1517.

Multiple choice history modern age in europe: the renaissance renaissance renaissance europe in transition india's contemporary economic condition reformation and enlightenment in europe reformation in europe

______ criticised the malpractices in the Institute of religion and the hypocritical behaviour of the clergy.

  1. John Wycliffe

  2. Desiderius Erasmus

  3. John Calvin

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

John Wycliffe, Desiderius Erasmus, and John Calvin were all prominent figures who criticized the corruption and perceived hypocrisy within the Catholic Church, laying the groundwork for the Reformation.

Multiple choice history modern age in europe: the renaissance renaissance renaissance europe in transition india's contemporary economic condition reformation and enlightenment in europe reformation in europe

The reformation movement spread to many countries of ______.

  1. Asia

  2. Africa

  3. Europe

  4. Australia
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
The Protestant Reformation was a major 16th century European movement aimed initially at reforming the beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Its religious aspects were supplemented by ambitious political rulers who wanted to extend their power and control at the expense of the Church. The Reformation ended the unity imposed by medieval Christianity and, in the eyes of many historians, signaled the beginning of the modern era.

 A weakening of the old order was already under way in Northern Europe, as evidenced by the emergence of thriving new cities and a determined middle class.Over the centuries there had been many reform efforts within the Catholic Church, most notably a series of largely unsuccessful church councils. Popular support existed in some quarters for simplifying worship services and requiring a more dedicated clergy.

In 1517, in one of the signal events of western history, Martin Luther, a German Augustinian monk, posted 95 theses on the church door in the university town of Wittenberg. That act was common academic practice of the day and served as an invitation to debate. Luther’s propositions challenged some portions of Roman Catholic doctrine and a number of specific practices.
Multiple choice history modern age in europe: the renaissance renaissance renaissance europe in transition india's contemporary economic condition reformation and enlightenment in europe reformation in europe

Which of these would NOT be a target for criticism by an Enlightenment philosopher prior to the French Revolution?

  1. The Old Regime

  2. Constitutionalism

  3. The Catholic Church

  4. Absolute Monarchy

  5. Versailles
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Constitutionalism, which puts limits on monarchs powers, was an idea widely supported among the philosophers during the enlightenment.

Multiple choice history modern age in europe: the renaissance renaissance renaissance europe in transition india's contemporary economic condition reformation and enlightenment in europe reformation in europe

Which factor helped most to bring about the Protestant Reformation?

  1. The Catholic clergy had lost faith in their religion

  2. Islam was attracting many converts in Western Europe

  3. Kings and princes in Northern Europe resented the power of the Catholic Church

  4. The exploration of the Americas led to the introduction of new religious ideas
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

While religious and intellectual factors were important, the political motivation of monarchs and princes in Northern Europe to seize Church lands and gain independence from papal authority was a primary driver of the Reformation.

Multiple choice history modern age in europe: the renaissance renaissance renaissance europe in transition india's contemporary economic condition reformation and enlightenment in europe reformation in europe

The humanists of the Renaissance differed from the traditional medieval philosophers in the 'humanists _________.

  1. Interest in the spiritual life of people

  2. Lack of interest in ancient Greek and Roman culture

  3. Rejection of Christian principles

  4. Emphasis on the importance of the individual
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The fine arts, literature and history in the Medieval period were centred on religious ideology. The texts were invariably written in Greek andLatin as these languages were considered elite and scholarly. By the dawn of the 13th century, Latin and Greek gave way to regional languages like English, Spanish, and French. The writers of this period adopted the life of the common man as the central theme of their works. The literature of this period was no longer confined to religion and philosophy but gave way to themes that depicted diverse aspects of human life. Similar changes occurred in other art forms like painting and sculpture. This vision, primarily concerned with the various aspects of human life, is known as humanism.

The new spirit of humanism inspired unique thoughts on the universe and human life. It promoted reasoning and the spirit of enquiry. Consequently, a new awakening in all spheres of human life became visible in Europe and it is known as the Renaissance.

Multiple choice history modern age in europe: the renaissance renaissance renaissance europe in transition india's contemporary economic condition reformation and enlightenment in europe reformation in europe

Which was a major characteristic of the Renaissance?

  1. Conformity

  2. Mysticism

  3. Humanism

  4. Obedience
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The new spirit of humanism inspired unique thoughts on the universe and human life. It promoted reasoning and the spirit of enquiry. Consequently, a new awakening in all spheres of human life became visible in Europe and it is known as the Renaissance.

Multiple choice history modern age in europe: the renaissance renaissance renaissance europe in transition india's contemporary economic condition reformation and enlightenment in europe reformation in europe

The age of great change marked by renewed interest in classical learning and the arts is called the

  1. Renaissance

  2. Revolution

  3. Reformation

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

The age of great change marked by renewed interest in classical learning and the arts is called Renaissance. The Renaissance was a period in European history which began in the 1300s, during the late middle Ages and ended during the 1500s, when the modern era began. Renaissance means "rebirth" in French. During theRenaissance there was a rebirth of interest in ancient Greece and Rome.