I agree with sentiment of the author, and believe schools have sidelined physical learning to a frightening level. But this test is a comprehension test. If you look at the passage, then the question, you can clearly see what is being examined:
Passage
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3. Keep the stage clean and always use a glass slide for specimens.
4. To avoid crushing the glass slide when focusing, begin with the lens close to the specimen and gradually back off to focus.
Question with correct answer
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The microscope lens should initially be placed close to the glass slide: C. To avoid breaking the glass slide when adjusting the focus.
Aside from being able to correctly identify which part of the passage relates to the question (showing broad understanding of the passage of the whole) the specifics are:
a) Do you understand that "crushing" is synonymous with "breaking"?
b) Do you understand that you put the specimen on the glass slide?
c) Do you understand that "begin with ..." and "initially ..." are essentially the same construction?
d) Do you understand that "focusing" is the action of "back off to focus"
To me, the surprising thing was how well this question was written.
As an aside, I imagine these questions are purposefully written about a subject that the person being examined is expected to have little knowledge about, so that only the comprehension is being tested.
Passage
=======
3. Keep the stage clean and always use a glass slide for specimens.
4. To avoid crushing the glass slide when focusing, begin with the lens close to the specimen and gradually back off to focus.
Question with correct answer
============================
The microscope lens should initially be placed close to the glass slide: C. To avoid breaking the glass slide when adjusting the focus.
Aside from being able to correctly identify which part of the passage relates to the question (showing broad understanding of the passage of the whole) the specifics are:
a) Do you understand that "crushing" is synonymous with "breaking"?
b) Do you understand that you put the specimen on the glass slide?
c) Do you understand that "begin with ..." and "initially ..." are essentially the same construction?
d) Do you understand that "focusing" is the action of "back off to focus"
To me, the surprising thing was how well this question was written.
As an aside, I imagine these questions are purposefully written about a subject that the person being examined is expected to have little knowledge about, so that only the comprehension is being tested.