History · General Awareness

History of Religion

2,125 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

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

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

The last in succession of the Jain Tirthankaras was

  1. Mani Subrata

  2. Mahavira

  3. Rishabha

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

Mahavira (Vardhamana) was the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism. He lived in the 6th century BCE and is considered the contemporary of Buddha. Rishabha was the first Tirthankara, while Parsvanatha was the 23rd.

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.

Multiple choice

Who were Sans-culottes?

  1. Fashionable men of the society.

  2. The members of the Jacobin club.

  3. The religious men of the society.

  4. The female painters of the age.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The sans-culottes were working-class revolutionaries who supported the Jacobins and their radical policies during the French Revolution. They got their name from wearing long trousers (pantaloons) instead of the knee-length breeches (culottes) worn by aristocrats, symbolizing their rejection of upper-class fashion and values.

Multiple choice

Directions: The first and the last sentences of the passage are numbered 1 and 6, respectively. The rest of the passage is split into four parts named A, B, C and D. These four parts are not given in their proper order. Read the sentences and find out which of the following combinations is correct.

  1. The new age of inquisitiveness in Europe was eventually called the Renaissance, which means “rebirth” in French. A. The Renaissance was much more than simply studying the work of ancient scholars. B. These ideas, preserved from the ancient past, served as the basis of the Renaissance.
    C. When the Italian cities traded with the Arabs, ideas were exchanged along with goods. D. The Renaissance began in northern Italy and then spread through Europe.
  2. It influenced painting, sculpture and architecture also.

  1. DCBA

  2. ABCD

  3. DABC

  4. ADBC

  5. CADB
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

“much more than...” in A links to 6, where it tells of other areas which were influenced by the Renaissance. So, A should be last in order. “These ideas” in B finds mention in C, so B follows C. Hence, the order becomes DCBA.