Final answer:
Monasteries significantly contributed to local communities by preserving knowledge, providing education, fostering economic activity, and being cultural and spiritual centers. They were responsible for creating illuminated manuscripts, training priests, and supporting ascetic lifestyles. I strongly defend their positive contributions based on historical evidence. correct option is 1.
Step-by-step explanation:
I would strongly defend the statement that "Monasteries made a positive contribution to their local communities." As evidenced by historical sources, monasteries were pivotal in preserving learning after the collapse of the Roman Empire, as monks were responsible for hand-copying books which included important theological and ancient texts. This work resulted in illuminated manuscripts, which are considered to be some of the finest examples of medieval art. Additionally, monasteries served as centers for education, both in religious and general spheres, and became economic powerhouses through the work and products they produced.
Aside from their economic and educational impact, monasteries offered spiritual and cultural benefits to their communities. They provided refuge during crises and trained priests to serve the growing Christian population. The Rule of Benedict, written in 529, structured monastic life around prayer, study, and labor, which benefitted both monks and their surrounding areas through the products they produced and sold.