Final answer:
Samuel Johnson describes the 'fictions of the last age' as imaginary and untrue, emphasizing the Realists' focus on creating accurate and detailed works based on real-life experiences.
Thus, the correct option is: Imaginary and untrue (b).
Step-by-step explanation:
In the Rambler essays, Samuel Johnson describes the "fictions of the last age" as imaginative and therefore not factually true. Johnson, along with other Realists, believed in creating works that represent ordinary life, commonly featuring characters dealing with real-life struggles. Realistic fiction, as championed by Johnson, foregrounds accuracy and detail to build a sense of truth and to show the story with minimal authorial intrusion, in contrast to historical fiction, which might blend factual settings with fictional characters and plotlines.
Thus, the correct option is: Imaginary and untrue (b).