This question is missing the answer choices. I was able to find them online. They are the following:
Which four phrases from Robert Stawell Ball's "Great Astronomers" convey a commendable tone toward Ptolemy's work?
A. so far as his individual is concerned
B. greatest figure in ancient astronomy
C. gathered up the wisdom
D. illuminated it with his theories
E. astonishing verisimilitude to the actual facts
Answer:
The four phrases which convey a commendable tone are:
B. greatest figure in ancient astronomy
C. gathered up the wisdom
D. illuminated it with his theories
E. astonishing verisimilitude to the actual fact
Explanation:
Robert Stawell Ball (1840-1913) was an Irish astronomer who, in the excerpt we are analyzing here, is talking about another astronomer, Ptolemy (100 CE-170 CE). Ptolemy was Egyptian of Greek descent. Besides being an astronomer, he was also a geographer and a mathematician.
<u>The adjective "commendable" refers to something or someone that deserves to be praised. If we are looking for phrases with a commendable tone, we are looking for phrases that praise someone. In that case, it is easy to see that phrases B, C, D, and E are the correct ones. The word choice - "greatest", "wisdom", "illuminated", "astonishing verisimilitude" - reveals the favorable opinion Ball has of Ptolemy's work.</u>
