History: Incredible Achievements 4

– Discovering “True North” –

“In 1044, a Chinese polymath named Shen Kuo penned a prodigious written work entitled “Dream Pool Essays.” This magnum opus encompassed a plethora of subjects including astronomy, geology, and mechanics. One of the monumental discoveries chronicled in this tome was the concept of true north. Shen Kuo ascertained that the magnetic compass needle did not point directly north, but deviated by a certain angle. By meticulous observation of celestial bodies and meticulous experimentation with magnets, he was able to discern this magnetic declination. Shen Kuo’s revelation was pivotal for mariners who, hitherto, were reliant on rudimentary navigational instruments. This newfound knowledge enabled them to chart courses with unerring precision, fostering trade and cultural exchange throughout Asia. Moreover, Shen Kuo’s insights into geomagnetism laid the bedrock for modern geophysics. His tireless ingenuity and voracious appetite for knowledge make him one of history’s most illustrious scholars, and his contributions to science have left an indelible mark on the annals of human achievement.”

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO words from the text for each answer.

Shen Kuo composed an extensive ____ work known as “Dream Pool Essays.”
His magnum opus encompassed a vast ____ of subjects, including astronomy.
One of his major ____ in the book was the concept of true north.
Through precise observation and experimentation, he found out the magnetic ____.
The knowledge Shen Kuo uncovered greatly ____ mariners in navigating seas.
His pioneering work in geomagnetism laid the ____ for modern geophysics.

Choose NO MORE THAN ONE word from the text for each answer.

In 1044, the Chinese scholar Shen Kuo authored an ____ work, “Dream Pool Essays,” which was an extensive ____ encompassing subjects such as astronomy and mechanics. In this notable work, Shen Kuo made a ____ discovery regarding magnetic north, observing that the compass needle did not align directly north but ____ by a certain angle. By rigorously studying celestial bodies and experimenting with magnets, he discerned the phenomenon of magnetic ____. This knowledge was ____ for mariners and was instrumental in improving their navigational accuracy. Furthermore, his insights contributed to the foundation of modern geophysics.

Vocabulary Builder

Find the synonyms (words with the same or similar meaning) to these 9 words from the original passage.

Original Word	Variants Used
penned	_______________________ / ______________________
magnum opus	_______________________ / ______________________
plethora	_______________________
discoveries	_______________________
ascertained	_______________________ / ______________________
deviated	_______________________
declination	_______________________
pivotal	___________ / ____________ / ____________

Reveal answer (18 More Words)

Original Word	Variants Used
penned	written, authored
magnum opus	extensive work, tome
plethora	vast array
discoveries	monumental discovery
ascertained	discerned, found out
deviated	did not align
declination	phenomenon of magnetic declination
pivotal	instrumental, crucial, key