Reading Passage Short Exercise #1 (Academic)

You should spend about 20 minutes on  Questions 1–14,  which are based on the reading passage below.

The Renaissance: A Cultural and Intellectual Rebirth

The Renaissance, which spanned roughly from the 14th to the 17th century, was a transformative period in Europe. It's often described as a rebirth of art, culture, and learning. Here are some key developments during that time:

A. Renaissance thinkers were fascinated by the ideas and art of ancient Greece and Rome. They sought to recover and study these classical works, which had been largely forgotten during the Middle Ages. They believed that the Greek and Roman texts contained valuable insights and wisdom,  and used them to inspire new thinking.

B. Humanism was a central idea of the Renaissance.  It marked a significant shift from the medieval worldview, which had been primarily focused on religious matters. Humanism, on the other hand, emphasized the value of human beings, their potential, and their achievements. This shift in thinking led to a focus on individualism and personal expression in art and learning. While not necessarily opposed to religion, humanism encouraged a more balanced approach, promoting the idea that human achievements, both in the arts and sciences, were valuable in their own right, apart from religious concerns.

C. Renaissance art is known for its realism, use of perspective, and attention to detail. Iconic artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael created masterpieces during this period. Artists studied the human body to make their subjects look as lifelike as possible, showing details like people's faces and clothing accurately. The paintings were colorful, and artists used a special technique called "oil painting" to achieve this.  

D. Along the same vein, Renaissance architects drew inspiration from the architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. They admired the classical order, characterized by columns, arches, and domes. The dome became a symbol of greatness, and  curved arches made a building both sturdy and beautiful. These features can be seen in buildings like the Florence Cathedral and St. Peter's Basilica. Many Renaissance buildings had inner courtyards that provided both functional space and an element of beauty. These were often adorned with sculptures and fountains.

E. The Renaissance also marked a significant shift in science. Thinkers like Copernicus challenged the Earth-centered view of the universe and instead proposed that the sun is at the center of our solar system, with the Earth and other planets going around it.
​Additionally, this period saw the development of the scientific method, a systematic approach to investigation and experimentation, which was advocated by figures like Francis Bacon and René Descartes, and has become fundamental to modern scientific inquiry.

F. This era saw the rise of great writers like Dante, Petrarch, and Machiavelli. William Shakespeare, the most famous playwright of the period, produced timeless works such as "Romeo and Juliet" and "Hamlet."  
While Latin was still widely used, writers began to create works in their native languages, contributing to the development of national identities. Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy" in Italian and Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" in Middle English are prime examples. The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg revolutionized literature by making books more accessible, leading to greater literacy and the spread of ideas.

G. It was also at this time that European explorers set sail to discover new lands. This exploration expanded Europe's horizons and brought new knowledge and resources. The Italian explorer Christopher Columbus is perhaps the most famous figure of this era. In 1492, he set sail for the "New World" under the patronage of Spain, believing he could reach Asia by sailing westward. Instead, he reached the islands of the Caribbean, opening up the Americas to European exploration.
Other prominent explorers include Ferdinand Magellan, who embarked on the first journey to sail around the globe, Vasco da Gama, who found a sea route to India, and John Cabot, who explored North America.
These explorations led to a significant expansion of geographic knowledge. Maps and charts were created, helping to develop a more accurate understanding of the world's geography.

In essence, the Renaissance was an important historical period where a shift in thinking led to a blossoming of art, science, and culture. It laid the foundation for many of the ideas and advancements that would follow in the centuries to come.

Questions 1–6
Reading Passage 1 has seven sections, A-G. 
Match the headings below with the correct paragraph in the passage by writing the correct letter, A-G, before each heading.

_______ 1. Architectural marvels  
_______ 2. Artistic achievements
_______ 3. Rediscovery of classical knowledge
_______ 4. Geographic exploration
_______ 5. Focus on the worth of an individual
_______ 6. Scientific advancements
_______ 7. Literary contributions
​
Questions 8-14. Complete the notes below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 8-13 on your answer sheet.

• During the Renaissance period, thinkers wanted to bring back classical texts which had declined in popularity during the ​​(8) ____________________________. 
• While the medieval period focused on ​​(9) ____________________________ ideas, humanism during the Renaissance promoted the importance and potential of individuals.
• Renaissance artists wanted to paint their subjects as realistically as possible so they carefully studied the ​​(10) ____________________________.
• Structures built during the Renaissance included (11) ____________________________on the inside that provided not just a place for gatherings but also an aesthetic element to their buildings.
• Copernicus questioned the idea that the Earth was the center of the (12) ____________________________; instead, he proposed the theory that the Earth and other planets go around the sun.
• Even though texts were widely written in (13) ____________________________, writers also started using their own country's languages to publish their works.  
• Christopher Columbus set out to explore the new world and reached the Americas with funding from the country of (14) ____________________________ .