Question

Which of the following observations led thinkers and philosophers to rethink about the shape of the Earth around 4th century BCE?

• A. Two of the most prominent bodies in the sky were both circular.
• B. Explorers were falling off the Earth if they travelled too far.
• C. The shape of the shadow the Earth made on the Moon.
• D. Wind patterns over the oceans resembled circles.

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (C)

The correct options are
A Two of the most prominent bodies in the sky were both circular.
C The shape of the shadow the Earth made on the Moon.

It was around 4th century BCE when thinkers and philosophers realised a few noticeable characterisitics about the world around them. Firstly, the Moon and the Sun in the sky looked circular. Perhaps the Earth was round as well. Secondly, they observed the shadow that the Earth made on the Moon and concluded that the phases of the Moon were maybe a result of the same.