The progress of astronomy has always been closely associated with the

A. Knowledge about the satellites of the planets was limited to a large extent because of the lack of the knowledge gained from the use of telescopes.

Incorrect: Can be Inferred

This IS something that is supported by the passage. The second sentence states that Before the seventeenth …the satellites of the planets except the Earth’s moon were unknown…because there were no telescopes.

B. A telescope at 10,000 feet in the mountains could work better than a telescope at 5,000 feet in the desert.

Incorrect: Can be Inferred

This IS something supported by the passage. The last sentence states it is not known whether difficulties of occupying them permanently would more than counterbalance the gain which greater elevation would afford.

C. A climate with frequent variations in the weather would make a telescope potentially less accurate than a climate with monotonous weather.

Incorrect: Can be Inferred

This IS something supported by the passage. The passage describes the importance of “steady atmosphere” in the third paragraph. Remember that for this question you are looking for the answer choice that does NOT follow from the passage.

D. Picard incorporated the graduated circle into the telescope around 1640.

Correct: Opposite

The development of the telescope is the focus of the first and second paragraphs. In the first paragraph, the author states, “Earlier than the seventeenth century…there were no telescopes.” This means that pre-1600’s, there were no telescopes. So it is logical that the telescope was invented sometime in the 1600’s. In the next sentence, the passage says, “More than a half century elapsed after the invention of the telescope before Picard combined it with a graduated circle.” If MORE than 50+ years went by before Picard combined the telescope with the graduated circle, then it is not possible Picard invented around 1640.

E. A desert such as the Sahara would be an ideal location for a telescope due to its lack of extreme atmospheric movement.

Incorrect: Can be Inferred

This IS supported by the discussion in the final paragraph. The passage states, “All hindrances of atmosphere are most advantageously avoided in arid or desert regions of the globe.”


A. detail the advancement of a specific scientific field

Incorrect: Inconsistent

Although the passage deals with astronomy as a whole but the scope of the passage is concerned with telescopes- their invention and conditions required for their best usage; the advancement of astronomy as a whole is not he focus.

B. recontextualize the reader’s understanding of what it takes to develop a successful telescope

Incorrect: Out of Scope

This choice is too vague. It implies the passage describes a commonly held belief regarding what it takes to develop a telescope and takes steps to correct that misinterpretation. However, no such misconception is described or explored.

C. explore the early contributions made in the field of astronomy, and some of the mechanical processes that contributed to that development

Incorrect: Partial scope

This choice only focuses on the first two paragraphs. Remember that the correct answer to a “Main Idea” question must include ALL of the paragraphs. This answer choice entirely leaves out the third and final paragraph.

D. advocate for more research into telescope placement and development

Incorrect: Out of Scope

The tone of this passage is informational/descriptive. The author does not have a strong enough point of view of the topic to “advocate” for any specific result.

E. describe inventions that helped astronomy and the ideal use of the telescope.

Correct

The passage is really focusing on two things: the mechanical processed that led to the telescope (paragraphs 1 and 2), and the perfect placement of a telescope (paragraph 3). This choice perfectly encapsulates the passage’s dual goals.


A. To describe the most progressive phase in the history of astronomy.

Incorrect: Out of Scope

The paragraph does state that in the seventeenth century there were some significant advancements in the field of astronomy but gives us no information regarding whether this was the “most” progressive phase ever.

B. To overview how astronomy has developed in the past 400 years.

Incorrect: Inconsistent

The 17th century is mentioned in this paragraph, which certainly focuses on the past and the inventions of the past, but the focus here is a little narrower than this. “How astronomy has developed” is too broad. As the first sentence mentions, it’s really the development of the “mechanical” devices and how they contributed to astronomy that is the true focus of this paragraph.

C. To emphasize the value of specific inventions in the advancement of a certain scientific field.

Correct

The first paragraph’s sentence brings up the topic: “mechanical processes,” and each subsequent sentence builds on their importance in advancing astronomy by discussing telescopes, pendulums, and clocks. These are three examples of mechanical devices that helped move astronomy forward. Overall, the author’s attitude towards these devices is positive.

D. To discuss some early contributors to the field of astronomy.

Incorrect: Partial scope

Though some earlier scientists and inventors are mentioned, they themselves are not the true focus of this paragraph. The author is interested in WHAT they invented, not the men themselves. Notice we do not even learn their first names, nor are they described in anything but a cursory manner.

E. To explain how far astronomy has come in a relatively short period of time.

Incorrect: Out of Scope

There is nothing in the passage to indicate the author believes that the time from the 17th century to modern day is “relatively short.”


A. without telescopes, accurate readings of the positions of celestial bodies are currently impossible.

Incorrect: Out of Scope

Although the passage does state that accurate positions of the sun, moon, and planets among the stars, and of the stars among themselves, were impossible all because there were no telescopes, it gives us no information to state that presently there are no other devices that are capable of the same.

B. even the most superlatively designed telescope possibly functions below its full ability at 2000 feet above sea level.

Correct

This statement can be derived from the following two statements in the passage:

(1) In order for an ideally-designed telescope to perform perfectly, it must be located in a perfect atmosphere.

(2) All hindrances of atmosphere are most advantageously avoided in arid or desert regions of the globe, at elevations of 3000 to 10,000 feet above sea level.

C. almost all the great telescopes were built by astronomers who possessed excellent knowledge of practical mechanics.

Incorrect: Inconsistent

The passage mentions that nearly all the large reflecting telescopes ever built were constructed by astronomers who possessed great facility in practical mechanics. By no means does “large” translate into “great.”

D. the atmospheric movements that cause blurry distortion in a telescope can never be detected by the naked eye.

Incorrect: Out of Scope

While the passage does say that these atmospheric movements are often invisible to the eye, their effect is plainly visible in the telescope as a blurry distortion, the word “never” here is not justified.

E. a telescope requires an observatory site in order to function.

Incorrect: Out of Scope

While the final paragraph does impress upon the reader the importance of an observatory site to a telescope’s accuracy, it does not go so far as to imply that a telescope is non-functional without one. Its accuracy may be diminished, but presumably it could still “function.”