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Question

Difficulty: MediumLanguage, Literature and Culture

By the end of the Middle Ages, the English language had successfully replaced French and Latin as the primary language for literature and government. This shift was solidified when William Caxton brought the first printing press to England in 1476. Which famous collection of poems was the first major book to be printed in English as a result of this technology?

  1. The Canterbury TalesAnswer
  2. B
    The Domesday Book
  3. C
    The Magna Carta
  4. D
    Hamlet

Answer

The Canterbury Tales was the first major book printed in English following the introduction of the printing press by William Caxton.
The correct answer is the work written by Geoffrey Chaucer. While English was already replacing French and Latin in daily life, the 1476 introduction of the printing press by William Caxton allowed English literature to be standardized and widely distributed, with this specific collection of stories being the first major book produced.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the historical context of the late Middle Ages
The period saw English emerge as the dominant language for culture and law.
This sets the stage for the need for printed English literature.
2
Locate the specific technological milestone in 1476
William Caxton introduced the printing press to England.
The printing press allowed for the mass production and standardization of English books.
3
Identify the primary literary work associated with this achievement
Geoffrey Chaucer's poems about pilgrims traveling to Canterbury.
Chaucer was the most famous poet of the era, and his work was chosen as the flagship publication for the new technology.

Key Concept

The introduction of the printing press by William Caxton and its role in standardizing English through the publication of Geoffrey Chaucer's work.

Practice More

Review the impact of the printing press on the standardization of English spelling and grammar.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Language, Literature and Culture

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