Final answer:
Phillis Wheatley's achievements include her early education, ability to publish a book of poetry as an enslaved African-American woman, and interactions with prominent figures like George Washington. However, her life circumstances were tragic.
Step-by-step explanation:
Phillis Wheatley's achievements that were surprising include her early education and knowledge of various languages, her ability to publish a book of poetry as an enslaved African-American woman, and her interactions with prominent figures like George Washington. Her early education and knowledge of various languages were remarkable for an enslaved person in the 18th century. Despite being enslaved, Wheatley achieved full literacy and became one of the best-known poets of her time, publishing her book of poetry in 1773. Additionally, she had interactions with prominent figures such as George Washington, who praised her work and invited her to visit him. However, her life circumstances were tragic, as she experienced the hardships of slavery and faced difficulties in publishing her work due to prevalent racist views.