Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

China's civil service examination system greatly boosted print culture in the following ways:

1. Mass production of textbooks: The imperial state sponsored the printing of textbooks for civil service examinations in vast numbers, making the state a major producer of printed material.
2. Increased volume of print: From the sixteenth century, the number of examination candidates rose significantly, which directly increased the volume of print produced.
3. Wider readership: Scholar-officials trained through these examinations formed a large literate class, which later expanded print culture beyond official use into leisure reading, trade, and literature.

Source: Chapter 5, The First Printed Books

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Examiners look for three clear, connected points: the state's role as sponsor, the link between rising candidates and rising print volume, and the broader cultural effect. Avoid vague statements — use specific details like "sixteenth century" and "imperial state sponsorship." This question is directly from the source passage, so stick to what is given; don't add outside information.