What was a major impact of printing technology in medieval China?

• A. It spread literacy and knowledge through printed texts
• B. It had no impact outside the capital
• C. It reduced literacy
• D. It was used only for decorative purposes

Answer: (C)

Printing technology expanded access to books, making texts cheaper and easier to copy than hand manuscripts. This meant a wider range of people—students, scholars, officials, and merchants—could study Confucian classics, Buddhist scriptures, literature, and government documents, which in turn spread literacy and knowledge much more broadly than before. The ability to reproduce standardized texts also improved accuracy and consistency, supporting education and administration, especially alongside the civil service exam system. Printing helped ideas travel quickly across regions, fueling cultural and intellectual growth rather than limiting literacy.