Which of the given options is the most logical sequencing of the following sentences to form a meaningful paragraph?
1. The advancements in science led by figures like Copernicus, Galileo and Descartes also questioned its established views of the universe.
2. It encouraged the growth of secularism and individualism, drawing inspiration from the classical works of ancient Greece and Rome.
3. The invention of the printing press further accelerated this shift, making books more accessible and promoting literacy and individual thinking.
4. The Renaissance ushered in a new era that questioned the monopoly of the Roman Catholic Church on knowledge and spiritual guidance.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct logical sequence for the paragraph is 4-2-1-3.
Explanation:
Sentence 4 (Introduction): This sentence introduces the central theme—the Renaissance and its challenge to the Roman Catholic Church's monopoly on knowledge. This provides the necessary context for the "shift" mentioned in other sentences.
Sentence 2 (Development): The pronoun "It" refers back to the Renaissance era. This sentence explains the immediate cultural results of that shift: secularism, individualism, and the revival of classical Greek and Roman ideas.
Sentence 1 (Specific Examples): This adds specific scientific weight to the general "questioning" mentioned in sentence 4. It highlights how figures like Copernicus and Galileo challenged the established physical views of the universe.
Sentence 3 (Conclusion/Acceleration): This sentence concludes the sequence by describing a technological advancement—the printing press—that "further accelerated this shift," making the individual thinking discussed in the previous sentences widespread.