Yes, if it were truly just about reading comprehension, then the test-writers would be horrifically incompetent, and therefore unfit to test anyone. Anyone who competently designs tests (experimenters, pollsters, etc) knows to address such biasing factors.
But I think the testers aren't total morons, and know that such a question is biased towards children with proper (privileged) backgrounds where microscopes and the respective training are commonplace. They'll be faster at answering the question and not feel ignorant — crucial advantages on tests.
(The testers may not even like this facet of their jobs, like ad industry developers who use ad-blockers, but it sure beats unemployment.)
And the whole question smacks of "scientism", where tools are confused with science. You never see a question like, "Scientists have believed something for 200 years. Is it necessarily true?"
But I think the testers aren't total morons, and know that such a question is biased towards children with proper (privileged) backgrounds where microscopes and the respective training are commonplace. They'll be faster at answering the question and not feel ignorant — crucial advantages on tests.
(The testers may not even like this facet of their jobs, like ad industry developers who use ad-blockers, but it sure beats unemployment.)
And the whole question smacks of "scientism", where tools are confused with science. You never see a question like, "Scientists have believed something for 200 years. Is it necessarily true?"