In scientific terminology, horography is the specialised art of constructing which type of objects?

Introduction / Context:
Scientific and technical vocabulary often contains specialised terms derived from Greek and Latin. Horography is one such term that sounds similar to horology and can easily confuse students. This question checks whether you recognise that horography is related to the construction of timekeeping dials rather than painting or monuments.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The word horography is associated with time and measurement.
• The options include activities related to art, monuments and timekeeping.
• We assume standard usage found in older scientific and technical dictionaries.

Concept / Approach:
The root horo comes from a Greek word meaning hour or time. Related words include horoscope and horology. Horology deals with the study and making of clocks and watches. Horography, in a traditional sense, refers to the art or science of constructing dials and time indicators, especially on clocks, watches or sundials. Therefore, any option tied to paintings, scenes or monuments is not correct.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Break the word horography into parts. The root horo relates to hour or time. Step 2: Recall that horology is the study of timekeeping devices, so horography is likely connected to similar objects. Step 3: Compare the options and identify which activity directly involves time measurement devices. Step 4: Recognise that constructing dials and clock faces is clearly a time related technical art. Step 5: Conclude that horography refers to constructing timekeeping dials and clock faces.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by consulting technical dictionaries or encyclopaedias where horography is defined as the art of constructing dials or describing the hours. This meaning closely associates horography with sundials, clock faces and other visual time displays. No recognised reference associates horography specifically with reading paintings or designing monuments.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b links horography to reading and interpreting paintings and murals, which is more related to art history or aesthetics, not time measurement.
Option c refers to designing large monumental scenes in sculpture, a field closer to architecture or monumental art, again unrelated to timekeeping.
Option d is incorrect because horography does have a specific recognised meaning connected to dials.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to confuse horography with similar sounding words. For example, some may think it is related to geography because of the graphy ending or to artistic drawing in general. Others may assume it is a modern term and guess randomly. Recognising Greek roots such as horo for time and graphy for writing or drawing helps decode many scientific words and prevents such errors.

Final Answer:
Horography is the art or science of constructing timekeeping dials and clock faces.