Final answer:
Carolus Linnaeus developed the foundational Linnaean classification system used in taxonomy and introduced binomial nomenclature but did not advocate for the idea of evolution, which was later conceptualized by Charles Darwin.
Step-by-step explanation:
Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus made significant contributions to the field of biology by developing the Linnaean classification system. Linnaeus grouped organisms based on obvious physical traits, such as the number of legs or shape of leaves, ultimately devising a system that is still the foundation of taxonomy today. This system includes a hierarchical structure of classification that starts with domains and narrows down to species. Additionally, Linnaeus introduced the binomial naming system giving each species a unique two-name identifier, with the genus name capitalized and the species name lowercase, both italicized in print.
While Linnaeus did not accept the idea of evolution as it was later defined by Charles Darwin, he observed the diversity of life and proposed a natural classification method. His observations laid the groundwork for later theories, but Linnaeus himself did not theorize on natural selection or evolution as the mechanism for this diversity. Thus, the answer to the student's original question would be only a - that Carolus Linnaeus devised a taxonomy system that is still in use today, and not b, which suggests that he accepted the idea of evolution.