Read the passage below:
In late seventeenth-century observational astronomy, Johannes Hevelius steadfastly maintained that open-sight quadrant measurements were superior in precision to those obtained via telescopic sights, a position that provoked sharp criticism from contemporaries such as Robert Hooke. Traditional accounts often dismiss Hevelius’s stance as an anachronistic resistance to technological progress. However, recent historical analyses suggest that Hevelius’s preference was grounded in a coherent methodology tailored to his specific observational conditions. While telescopic sights offered higher magnification, early crosshair optics introduced thermal instability and alignment drift that confounded fine positional cataloging. By relying on custom open sights calibrated through rigorous multi-observer verification, Hevelius achieved a consistent empirical precision that rivaled early telescopic surveys. Thus, far from revealing an irrational prejudice against innovation, Hevelius’s procedural choices highlight how instrument reliability and observational protocol can temporarily outweigh raw optical power during periods of technological transition.
Which of the following statements accurately describe the rhetorical function of specific elements within the passage? Select all that apply.
- The statement regarding traditional accounts serves to establish a prevailing historical interpretation that the passage subsequently seeks to challenge.Cevap
- BThe mention of thermal instability and alignment drift functions as the primary thesis that the author defends throughout the passage.
- The sentence beginning with 'Thus, far from revealing' functions to synthesize the specific historical case study into a broader generalization about technological adoption.Cevap
- DThe reference to Robert Hooke is introduced to provide empirical evidence supporting Hevelius's observational methodology.
- EThe concession regarding telescopic magnification serves to demonstrate that Hevelius ultimately acknowledged the technical superiority of his critics' instruments.