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
Directions: Select the option that fills in the blanks most suitably (in the same order).
Created to defend the ________ and to convert unbelievers in many lands to Christianity, the society of Jesus - better known as the 'Jesuits' - found themselves ________ in political ________ almost from the beginning of their existence.

  1. vatican, entangled, foursquare

  2. pontiff, inculpable, trickery

  3. papacy, embroiled, skullduggery

  4. Holy Sec, angelic, impeachment

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The clause following 'Jesuits' is in contrast to what precedes it. It forms a cause-effect relationship and the effect is negative as we can make out from the latter part of the sentence. All the options for the first blank fit our prediction. Now, let's try for the second blank. 'Embroiled' and 'entangled', both mean involved, which leaves us with these 2 options (1) and (3). 'Foursquare' means frank, honest, forthright whereas 'skullduggery' means dishonesty, which is cogent with political in the sentence. Hence, (3) is the answer.

Multiple choice

The Restoration period was influenced by

  1. French dramatists

  2. The dramatists of England

  3. Italian dramatists

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

The Restoration period (1660-1700) was heavily influenced by French dramatists, particularly through Charles II's exposure to French theatre during his exile in France. French neoclassical principles shaped English comedy.

Multiple choice

England passed a law in the sixteenth century which compelled all persons over six years of age, except those of high position, to wear woollen caps made in England, on Sundays and all holidays. What was the reason for this law?

a. Because of the cold weather in England b. Because of the popularity of French-imported velvet caps c. Because of support for home woollen industry

  1. a only

  2. b only

  3. c only

  4. b and c

  5. a, b and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer. French velvet caps were very popular and the British wanted to lessen the imports. The law was in force for twenty-six years and it established the home woollen industry during that period.

Multiple choice

The Renaissance Movement first began in

  1. Italy

  2. England

  3. France

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

The Renaissance began in Florence, Italy during the 14th century before spreading throughout Europe. Italy was the birthplace due to its wealthy city-states, rich classical Roman heritage, and patronage of the arts by powerful families like the Medici who supported artists and thinkers.

Multiple choice

Medieval scholars will tell you that the ________ thing about the “Dark Ages” is our modern perspective of it; anyone with a true understanding of the Roman Empire knows that Rome, ________ it was built, did not fall in a day.

  1. tenebrous; while

  2. darkest; just as

  3. cryptic; when

  4. tawny; as

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

“The fall of the Roman Empire” in the medieval history characterize the dark phase of Roman history, hence the “Dark Ages”. Of all the options, 'tenebrous '(dark) (1) and 'darkest' in (2) would characterize the first blank. The sentence - 'while it was built, did not fall in a day' makes no logical sense; whereas the sentence - 'just as it was built, did not fall in a day' gives the coherent meaning to the sentence. Hence, (2) is the answer. Cryptic means mysterious. Tawny refers to brownish yellowish colour. Iniquitous means wicked, evil.

Multiple choice

I have seen the first monks and _________, without crossing seas or centuries.

  1. anchorets

  2. jesuits

  3. capuchins

  4. heretics

  5. scoffers

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The operative word in this sentence is “and” before the blank; which implies that the blank must be replaced by a word that is a synonym of monk. An “anchoret” is a person who lives alone and away from society for religious meditation. Thus, it fits our prediction. 

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose a suitable option to fill in the blank:

The belief in vampires — in the early fifteenth century.

  1. was first recorded in Transylvania

  2. had first been recorded in Transylvania

  3. that was first recorded in Transylvania

  4. was recording in Transylvania
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The simple past passive 'was first recorded' is appropriate for describing a historical event with a specific time reference in the past. The passive voice emphasizes the belief itself rather than who recorded it.

Multiple choice

In the sixteenth century in England which caps were popular among men?

  1. Red Caps

  2. Velvet Caps

  3. Fir Caps

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

In 16th century England, velvet caps were popular among men, particularly among the wealthy and noble classes. The quality and material of headwear was a status symbol. This was before the woolen cap laws were enacted to protect domestic wool trade.

Multiple choice
Directions: In the following question, four statements are provided between an opening statement 1 and a closing statement 6. The statements are jumbled up and form a coherent paragraph when properly arranged. Select the alternative representing the proper and logical sequencing of these six taken together.
1. The iconoclastic movement was motivated by a variety of factors that possibly included Muslim influences, as well as the concern of some that the cult of icons was a form of idolatry.
A. The icon of Christ is therefore a confession of faith in Christ's divinity and humanity.
B. The Council of Nicaea also specified that images should be venerated but not worshipped, since worship (yatria) belongs to God alone and the worship of icons would mean idolatry.
C. The ideas promoted by the defenders of images served as doctrinal bases for the later development of Eastern Christian art, particularly in the Byzantine Empire and in Russia.
D. The essential argument of the orthodox defenders of the images was that, since God became man in Jesus Christ, he also assumed all human characteristics including visibility.
6. Iconoclasm was also a feature of the Protestant reformation of the 16th century, some Protestant groups still oppose the use of religious images.

  1. ACDB

  2. BCAD

  3. ABCD

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

In sentence D, orthodox defenders of images have been described, referring to human characteristics assumed by Jesus Christ while in sentence A, a conclusion is made of both divinity and humanity of Christ, therefore, these two exist together in order DA. This marks option (4) as only valid answer choice.

Multiple choice

Who was the last of the Christian Humanist?

  1. John Bunyan

  2. Oliver Cromwell

  3. John Milton

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

John Bunyan is identified as the last of the Christian Humanists in this periodization. The Christian Humanist tradition, which combined classical learning with Christian faith, was particularly significant in the Renaissance and early modern periods. Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress reflects this synthesis of humanist literary techniques with deep Christian themes. Oliver Cromwell was primarily a political leader rather than a literary humanist, John Milton represents a different strand of Puritan writing, and Richard Crashaw was a Metaphysical poet.

Multiple choice

Rev.Thoman Malathus wrote an essay on

  1. evolution

  2. economics

  3. population

  4. comparative study of religion
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Thomas Robert Malthus wrote 'An Essay on the Principle of Population' in 1798, arguing that human populations grow geometrically while food production increases arithmetically. This work influenced Charles Darwin's thinking about natural selection, as it highlighted the struggle for existence due to limited resources.

Multiple choice

What happened to the churches during Robespierre government?

  1. They were converted into schools and colleges.

  2. They were converted into barracks and offices.

  3. They were converted into manors and chateaus.

  4. They were given to the homeless poor peasants.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

During Robespierre's government and the dechristianization campaign, churches were closed and many converted into barracks, offices, and storehouses for military and administrative use. The revolutionary government promoted the Cult of Reason to replace Christianity and secularize French society.