Final answer:
Monasticism in the West during the Middle Ages is credited with preserving classical knowledge through the copying and preservation of books, including ancient Greek and Roman writings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Monasticism in the West during the Middle Ages is credited with preserving classical knowledge. Monastic communities played a crucial role in copying and preserving books, including ancient Greek and Roman writings, that would have otherwise been lost. These books, known as illuminated manuscripts, are considered some of the finest examples of medieval art.