Socially and politically, a landed aristocracy was the dominant class on the continent. The members
of this class were united by a common way of life that cut across regional divisions. They owned
estates in the countryside and also town-houses. They spoke French for purposes of diplomacy and
in high society. Their families were often connected by ties of marriage. This powerful aristocracy
was, however, numerically a small group. The majority of the population was made up of the
peasantry. To the west, the bulk of the land was farmed by tenants and small owners, while in
Eastern and Central Europe the pattern of landholding was characterised by vast estates which
were cultivated by serfs.
Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate option:
23.1 Which was the dominant class on the continent of Europe? [1]
(a) Tenants (b) Small owners
(c) Landed aristocracy (d) High class society
23.2 What did the majority of population comprised of ? [1]
(a) Tenants (b) Small owners
(c) Peasantry (d) Land holders
23.3 The given passage describes the social and political life of this class: [1]
(a) peasants and small owners (b) aristocracy and middle class
(c) serfs and peasants (d) big land owners
23.4 Aristocratic class used to speak French for the purpose of: [1]
(a) diplomacy and in high society (b) farming on a big land
(c) reducing regional divisions (d) unity among the members
Answers
Answer:
1.(c) Landed aristocracy
2.(c) Peasantry
3.(b) aristocracy and middle class
4.(a) diplomacy and in high society
Answer:
1- Socially and politically, a landed aristocracy was the dominant class on the continent. The members
of this class were united by a common way of life that cut across regional divisions. They owned
estates in the countryside and also town-houses. They spoke French for purposes of diplomacy and
in high society. Their families were often connected by ties of marriage. This powerful aristocracy
was, however, numerically a small group. The majority of the population was made up of the
peasantry. To the west, the bulk of the land was farmed by tenants and small owners, while in
Eastern and Central Europe the pattern of landholding was characterised by vast estates which
were cultivated by serfs.