In the opinion of many Americans and Europeans, we only began to really explore our world in the sixteenth century. According to them, the sailors of the ancient world did not explore distant parts of the world; they did not have the necessary knowledge or skills for long sea journeys. However, the people who have this opinion are forgetting two important facts of history.
First, sometimes early scientists have an idea which is correct, but scientists in later centuries do not believe it. For example, about 270 B. C., a Greek scientist had an idea which we all believe today: The earth moves around the sun. But for the following 1,600 years, scientists did not believe this. In their opinion, the sun clearly moved around the earth. They discovered the truth again only in the fifteenth century!
The second fact of history that many people forget is this: Ancient does not mean primitive. For example, the ancient Egyptians knew a great deal about the stars; they used this knowledge to find their way across the oceans. Two thousand years ago a Greek scientist who lived in Egypt calculated the distance around the earth. The results of his calculations were close to the real distance we know today! So the ancients had a great deal of scientific knowledge. They also had skills which equaled the skills of today. For example, 1,300 years ago and before, fishermen in Ireland built their boats of wood and leather. Today some fishermen in Ireland still make boats of the same design. They use tools and materials which are not very different from the tools and materials which their ancestors used. Why? The ancient design of the boats was good, and with skillful sailors, these boats can sail in all kinds of weather.
Clearly long before the sixteenth century, people had the skill, the knowledge and the equipment which were necessary for long journeys by sea. The world did not have to wait until the sixteenth century for its first explorers!
6. Which of the following statements is consistent with the passage?
A. The writer agrees with many Americans and Europeans except for the two facts mentioned in the passage.
B. In the history of science, people sometimes have to discover a fact a second time.
C. According to the writer, we only began to really explore the world in the sixteenth
century.
D. The ancient Egyptians had very little knowledge about the stars.
7. Why does the writer use the example of the Greek scientist who calculated the distance around the world?
A. He wants to show the knowledge of ancient scientists.
B. He wants to give an example of scientific knowledge which was available to early
explorers.
C. He wants to show that science has not been developing significantly.
D. He wants to give an example of something which later scientists greatly improved.
8. The word “primitive” (Line 1, Para. 3) means ________.
A. underestimated
B. unsophisticated
C. basic
D. primary
9. According to the writer, why do Irish fishermen still use boats like the boats which their ancestors used 1,000 years ago?
A. The necessary materials are easily available.
B. Boats made of wood or leather are light and fast.
C. The design of the boats is very good.
D. They don’t have the money for expensive boats.
10. “People from the ancient world sailed around Africa. They even reached America.” In your opinion, how WOULD the writer of the passage feel about these statements?
A. In his opinion, they are possible.
B. He does not believe them.
C. He has used this as an important fact to praise ancient civilization.
D. In his opinion, ancient explorers did not have the skills necessary for long journeys.
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