Read the following passage and answer the question below. The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century revolutionized the way information was shared across Europe. Before this innovation, books were copied by hand, a slow and expensive process that limited the availability of written material to wealthy individuals and religious institutions. Gutenberg's press used movable metal type, allowing individual letters to be arranged, inked, and pressed onto paper repeatedly, dramatically increasing the speed and reducing the cost of book production. Within decades, printing presses spread throughout Europe, leading to a significant rise in literacy rates and the widespread distribution of ideas. This new accessibility of information is often credited with fueling the Renaissance and later the Reformation, as ideas that were once confined to a small elite could now reach a much broader audience. The printing press is widely regarded as one of the most influential inventions in human history. Question: According to the passage, how were books produced before the printing press?
- A. Copied by hand ✓
- B. Produced using digital methods
- C. Printed using movable type
- D. Imported from other continents
Correct answer
A. Copied by hand
Explanation
The passage states that before the printing press, books were copied by hand.