Nokea
Stories have been a part of the world since the beginning of recorded time. For centuries before the invention of the printing press, stories of the world were passed down to generations through oral tradition. With the invention of the printing press, which made written material available to wide ranges of audiences, books were mass-produced and introduced into grater society. For the last several centuries, books have been at the forefront of education and entertainment. With the invention of the Internet, reliance on books for information quickly changed. Soon, almost everything that anyone needed to known could be accessed through the internet. Large printed volumes of encyclopedias became unnecessary as all of the information was easily available on the Internet. Despite the progression of the Internet, printed media was till very popular in the forms of both fiction and non-fiction books. While waiting for an appointment, enduring a several-hour flight, or relaxing before sleep, books have been a reliable and convenient source of entertainment, and one that society has not been willing to give up. With the progression and extreme convenience of technology, printed books are going to soon become a thing of the past. Inventions such as the iPad from Macintosh and the Kindle have made the need for any kind off printed media unnecessary. With a rechargeable battery, a large screen, and the ability to have several books saved on file, electronic options will soon take over and society will no longer see printed books. Although some people may say that the act of reading is not complete without turning a page, sliding a finger across the screen or pressing a button to read more onto the next page is just as satisfying to the reader. The iPad and Kindle are devices that have qualities similar to a computer and can be sued for so much more than just reading. These devices are therefore better than books because they have multiple uses. In cultural society that is part of the world and due to long-standing tradition, stories will always be an important way to communicate ideas nd provide information and entrainment. Centuries ago, stories could only be remembered and retold through speech. Printed media changed the way the world communicated and was connected, and now, as we move forward with technology, it is only a matter of time before we must say goodbye to the printed pas and welcome the digital and electronic future.
According to the essay, how were stories first communicated and passed down?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The essay clearly states that before the invention of the printing press, stories were passed down through oral tradition. The extract mentions, 'For centuries before the invention of the printing press, stories of the world were passed down to generations through oral tradition.' This shows that oral tradition was the primary method of communicating stories before the introduction of printed books. Therefore, the correct answer is 'oral tradition.' Printed books (choice B) were introduced later with the invention of the printing press, as mentioned in the extract. 'Handwriting' (choice D) is not the first way stories were communicated, and 'technology' (choice C) is a broad term that does not specifically refer to the initial method of story communication.