Question

Which four phrases in this excerpt from Robert Stawell Ball's Great Astronomers convey a commendable tone toward Ptolemy's work? The name, Ptolemy, appears to have been a common one in Egypt in those days. The time at which he lived is fixed by the fact that his first recorded observation was made in 127 AD, and his last in 151 AD. When we add that he seems to have lived in or near Alexandria, or to use his own words, "on the parallel of Alexandria," we have said everything that can be said so far as his individuality is concerned. Ptolemy is, without doubt, the greatest figure in ancient astronomy. He gathered up the wisdom of the philosophers who had preceded him. He incorporated this with the results of his own observations, and illumined it with his theories. His speculations, even when they were, as we now know, quite erroneous, had such an astonishing verisimilitude to the actual facts of nature that they commanded universal assent. Even in these modern days we not unfrequently find lovers of paradox who maintain that Ptolemy's doctrines not only seem true, but actually are true.

Answer 1

• Ptolemy is, without doubt, the greatest figure in ancient astronomy.
• He gathered up the wisdom of the philosophers who had preceded him.
• He incorporated this with the results of his own observations, and illumined it with his theories.
• His speculations, even when they were, as we now know, quite erroneous, had such an astonishing verisimilitude to the actual facts of nature that they commanded universal assent.

Step-by-step explanation:

These are the four statements that the author makes that show that he believes Ptolemy to have been a remarkable and commendable figure. In this text, the author talks about Ptolemy and his work and discoveries. While the beginning of the passage shows an objective view of Ptolemy, the middle section is more subjective and expresses the deep admiration that the author had for this person. The author conveys this through the use of words such as "greatest," "wisdom," "illumined" and "astonishing."

Answer 2

1. without doubt,
2. the greatest figure
3. astonishing verisimilitude
4. commanded universal assent.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. The speaker shows his admiration . He certainly thinks Ptolemy is the best astronomer. His certainty is shown with this prepostional phrase
2. The admiration is reinforced by the superlative use of great.
3. The use of the adjective astonishing to modify the noun verisimilitude also reflects the speaker's admiration to Ptolemy ,when refering to the astronomer's erroneous speculations and their similiraties to natural facts.
4. Ptolomy's speculations were so astonishing that they forced the scientific community round the world to accept them.