AI-generated practice question — model-generated for extra practice, not a previous-year CBSE board question.
The elites' preference for non-identical copies reveals that they valued printed books as unique, exclusive possessions — as status symbols — rather than as tools for mass communication. The printing press was designed to produce multiple identical copies quickly and cheaply, making books affordable and widely accessible. However, by having borders hand-painted and illustrations individually added, elites ensured each copy was one-of-a-kind, asserting their exclusivity. This shows they resisted the democratic potential of print, prioritising personal distinction over uniform, wide-scale spread of knowledge.
Source: Chapter 5, Section 2.1 – Gutenberg and the Printing Press
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The examiner expects you to identify two contrasting ideas: (1) what the elites wanted — uniqueness/exclusivity — and (2) what the press was designed for — uniform, cheap, mass reproduction. Always link the elite behaviour back to the actual quote: "no two copies were the same" and "what they possessed could be claimed as unique." Avoid just describing what happened; you must analyse what the preference reveals. That analytical word "reveals" in the question is your cue to go beyond description.