Question

"The last of the great prehistoric inventions was the art of ........... ."

• A. fighting
• B. cooking
• C. writing
• D. hunting

Hint:

Think about the timeline of human development. Basic survival skills like hunting and cooking came first. Complex symbolic systems like writing came much later and had a revolutionary impact on society.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This quote, likely from Bertrand Russell's essay "Ideas That Have Helped Mankind," reflects on the major milestones of early human development.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The term "prehistoric" refers to the period before recorded history. The invention of writing is what marks the transition from prehistory to history. Before writing, knowledge could only be passed down orally. Writing allowed for the permanent recording and transmission of laws, history, literature, and scientific knowledge across time and space. While speech, fire (for cooking), tool-making (for hunting and fighting) were all crucial earlier inventions, writing was the last great invention that brought the prehistoric era to a close.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The art of writing is considered the invention that ended the prehistoric period, making it the last of the great prehistoric inventions. Therefore, option (C) is correct.