Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

The slow spread of hand-printing in Japan (introduced ~AD 768–770, yet the first printed book appeared only in AD 868) shows that a technology spreads rapidly only when social demand, literacy, and institutional support exist. In China, the imperial state actively drove print by sponsoring examination textbooks, creating mass demand. In Japan, print initially served only Buddhist religious purposes; wider adoption came later when urban culture flourished—by the 18th century, libraries and bookstores were packed with hand-printed material on cooking, etiquette, poetry, and art. This shows that technology alone is insufficient; social context, readership, and patronage determine the pace of adoption.

Source: Chapter 5 — The Age of Print, Sections: The First Printed Books; Print in Japan

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The examiner expects you to:

1. Note the time gap (technology introduced ~768 CE, first book 868 CE, mass culture only 18th century) as evidence of gradual adoption.
2. Contrast with China's faster spread (imperial state drove demand through civil service exams).
3. Conclude with a generalisation: adoption depends on social demand, literacy, and institutional/state support—not technology alone.

Avoid writing a vague essay; anchor every point in the passage with a specific example.