TOEFL iBT Reading

Reading Comprehension

TOEFL · Reading Comprehension

Read the passage and answer the question.

The Antikythera mechanism, recovered from an ancient shipwreck near a Greek island, is a corroded lump of bronze gears that once functioned as a sophisticated astronomical calculator. By turning a hand crank, an ancient user could predict the positions of the sun and moon, the timing of eclipses, and even the schedule of athletic games. For decades after its discovery, scholars underestimated its complexity, assuming such intricate gearing belonged to a much later era. Modern imaging techniques eventually revealed dozens of interlocking gears, forcing historians to revise their assumptions about the technical capabilities of the ancient world.

According to the passage, why did scholars initially underestimate the Antikythera mechanism?

Unofficial practice item, scored entirely in your browser. Not affiliated with any test provider.