At the Diet of Worms in 1521, what did Luther do?

• A. Renounced his views to Pope Leo X.
• B. Defended his views and refused to recant them.
• C. Was banished to exile.
• D. Accepted the Edict of Worms.

Answer: (B)

The key idea being tested is Luther’s response under pressure at the Diet of Worms. He stood firm, defending his beliefs and refusing to recant them in the face of demands to retract his writings. He argued that his conscience was bound by Scripture and would not be goaded into admitting error without being convinced by Scripture or reason, famously indicating he could not go against what he believed to be true. This is why the right interpretation is that he defended his views and refused to recant. The other options don’t fit because he did not renounce his views to Pope Leo X at that moment, he did not accept an exile during the Diet, and the Edict of Worms was issued afterward, not as a decision he already accepted there.