In 1901, Divers Exploring the Remains of A Shipwreck Off the Coast of Greece Discovered a Contraption

Reading Passage Question:

In 1901, divers exploring the remains of a shipwreck off the coast of Greece discovered a contraption believed to have been used by Ancient Greeks to predict solar eclipses. The Antikythera Mechanism was composed of a fixed ring dial representing the 12 months of the Egyptian calendar and an inner ring representing the 12 zodiac signs. Inside, a complex assembly of bronze gears mechanically replicated the irregular motions of the Moon caused by its elliptical orbit around the Earth through the use of two gear-wheels, one of which was slightly off-center, connected by a pin. Regarded as the world’s first analog computer, the Antikythera Mechanism involved remarkably intricate physics considering that, only 300 years earlier, the Ancient Greeks still believed the world was flat. Accurately predicting lunar and solar eclipses, as well as solar, lunar, and planetary positions, it predated similar technology by 1,000 years. The timing and nature of its existence remains one of science’s great puzzles to this day. How and by whom was it created?

Today, scientists understand much more about the complexities of the orbital revolutions that cause solar eclipses to occur; for instance, the Earth’s orbit around the Sun is also elliptical such that, depending on the time of year, the Earth is gradually traveling nearer to or farther from the Sun. Further, since the plane of the Moon’s revolution around the Earth is not the same as the plane of the Earth’s revolution around the Sun, all calculations predicting a solar eclipse must be completed in three dimensions. While in modern times the use of satellites, telescopes, and other high-tech equipment has greatly enhanced our capacity for such calculations, when the Antikythera Mechanism was created, the sole source of information available to scientists was observation of the night sky. It is thus not surprising that, under certain circumstances, the device is inaccurate by up to 38 degrees; what is astonishing is that the device is remarkably accurate over a wide range of conditions.

Recent analysis dating the device to 205 BC, earlier than previously thought, suggests that the eclipse prediction mechanism was based not on Greek trigonometry but on Babylonian arithmetical methods borrowed by the Greeks. This conjecture makes plausible Cicero’s claim that Archimedes created the mechanism, as Greek trigonometry was nonexistent in 205 BC.

“In 1901, divers exploring the remains of a shipwreck off the coast of Greece discovered a contraption”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 5 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

1. Which of the following best describes the relationship of the second paragraph to the passage as a whole?

(A) It provides evidence to support the main idea introduced earlier in the passage.
(B) It presents a hypothesis that is rejected in the final paragraph of the passage.
(C) It offers an example of a theory proposed in the first paragraph of the passage.
(D) It suggests a solution to a problem described earlier in the passage.
(E) It draws a parallel between two phenomena discussed in the passage.

2. It can be inferred from the third paragraph that

(A) the Ancient Greeks were more sophisticated than most people believe
(B) Babylonian arithmetical methods predate Greek trigonometry
(C) the greatest thinker in Ancient Greece was Archimedes
(D) Information obtainable by modern-day telescopes was also available in Ancient Greece
(E) the Antikythera Mechanism was more likely to accurately predict a solar eclipse than modern day technology

3. According to the passage, which of the following statements about the Antikythera Mechanism is true?

(A) It was created by Archimedes.
(B) It is 1,000 years old.
(C) It was created in the 1900s.
(D) It was the world’s first digital computer.
(E) It could be 38 degrees inaccurate.

4. According to the passage, which of the following is true about the orbit of the Earth around the Sun?

(A) It renders predicting solar eclipses impossible without a telescope.
(B) It is explainable using Greek trigonometry.
(C) It is, unlike the Moon’s orbit around the Earth, elliptical.
(D) It is, like the Moon’s orbit around the Earth, elliptical.
(E) It is in the same plane as the Moon’s orbit around the Earth.

5. The passage suggests which of the following are models that predict solar eclipses?

(A) Until the last century, it was impossible to create models that would accurately predict solar eclipses.
(B) When it was discovered in 1901, the Antikythera Mechanism was the only model available to predict solar eclipses.
(C) The Antikythera Mechanism is not the only model that attempts to predict solar eclipses.
(D) The calendar months and the zodiac signs are both important for tracking the irregular motions of the Moon.
(E) The unpredictability of such models makes them suitable only as curiosities or antiques.

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