Free BSGS Humanities Question and Answer

Question 1

Which of the following plays commissioned by the church moved to secular stories for entertainment when plays transitioned from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance?

Accepted Answer

Morality

Answer

During the Middle Ages, plays like Mystery plays (based on biblical stories) and Morality plays (allegorical dramas teaching moral lessons) were often commissioned by the church. As theater transitioned towards the Renaissance, there was a shift towards more secular themes and entertainment. Morality plays, with their focus on human struggles and allegorical characters, provided a bridge to secular drama by exploring human vices and virtues outside purely biblical narratives, thus moving towards entertainment.

Question 2

While deconstruction focuses on _____, formalism explores the role of the socially excluded individual.

Accepted Answer

Texts with inherent contradictions.

Answer

Formalism in literary criticism focuses on the intrinsic features of a text, such as its structure, language, and literary devices, independent of external factors. In contrast, deconstruction, associated with Jacques Derrida, challenges the idea of a single, stable meaning in a text. It focuses on identifying and unraveling the inherent contradictions, ambiguities, and underlying assumptions within texts, demonstrating how they undermine their own claims to truth or coherence.

Question 3

What did the motte serve to accomplish?

Accepted Answer

It gave defenders advantage over invaders.

Answer

A 'motte' is a defensive mound of earth, typically topped with a wooden or stone keep, forming part of a motte-and-bailey castle. Its primary purpose was to provide a strategic elevation for the castle's defenders, giving them a commanding view and a significant advantage over any attacking forces. This elevated position made it harder for invaders to assault the keep and allowed defenders to rain down projectiles effectively.

Question 4

The Book of Durrow and the Franks Casket both represent a certain creative era.

Accepted Answer

Early Medieval art

Answer

The Book of Durrow (an illuminated manuscript) and the Franks Casket (an Anglo-Saxon whalebone casket) are both iconic examples of Early Medieval art. These artifacts date from the 7th and 8th centuries, showcasing the intricate interlace patterns, zoomorphic designs, and complex iconography characteristic of Insular art and Anglo-Saxon art during this period. They represent a vibrant artistic tradition that flourished before the High Middle Ages and the Gothic era.

Question 5

What were the consequences of the bubonic plague and the emergence of the market economy in Europe at the start of the 14th century?

Accepted Answer

The decline of the Church

Answer

The Bubonic Plague (Black Death) in the 14th century drastically reduced Europe's population, leading to labor shortages and increased bargaining power for peasants. Simultaneously, the emergence of a market economy challenged the feudal system, which was heavily supported by the Church. These factors combined to weaken the Church's power and authority, as social upheaval and questioning of traditional beliefs contributed to its decline.

BGS, BSGS Bachelor of General Studies Practice Test

BGS, BSGS Bachelor of General Studies Practice Test

Free BSGS Humanities Question and Answer