The monastic day was busy—and long. It began early, with prayers before dawn, and ended late in the evening. Each day was divided into periods for worship, work, and study. Monks used chants to mark the economical hours, or religious divisions, of the day. Monasteries and convents were not only places where monks and nuns lived and prayed, but were also places of work and study. Many were self-contained communities that grew their own food. They made many of the things people needed in daily life. Monks worked in the monastery’s gardens and workshops. They worked in libraries where they copied and illustrated religious manuscripts. Early medieval Europe had no hospitals or public schools. As a result, monasteries and convents often provided basic health and educational services. Monks and nuns helped care for poor and sick people. They set up schools for children. Monasteries and convents also helped keep ancient learning alive. Their libraries contained Greek and Roman works, which monks and nuns copied. Some monks and nuns wrote and taught Latin, which was the language of the Church and of educated people. More test answers on https://studyhippo.com/world-history-chapter-21-section-2-the-spread-of-christianity-in-europe/