Read the excerpts from Samuel Johnson s preface to A Dictionary of the English Language.
Excerpt 1
Excerpt 2
Among these unhappy mortals is the applied myself to the perusal of our
writer of dictionaries, whom mankind writers, and noting whatever might be
have considered, not as the pupil, but of use to ascertain or illustrate any
the slave of science, the pionier of word or phrase, accumulated in time
literature, doomed only to remove the materials of a dictionary, which,
rubbish and clear obstructions from by degrees. I reduced to method.
the paths through which Learning and establishing to myself, in the progress
Genius press forward to conquest and of the work, such rules as experience
glory, without bestowing a smile on and analogy suggested to me.
the humble drudge that facilitates
their progress
Which statement best describes the use of the underlined word in the excerpts?
In excerpt 1. it refers to personal growth, while in excerpt 2, it suggests the physical act of moving.
In excerpt 1. it refers to personal growth, while in excerpt 2. it suggests scientific discoveries.
In excerpt 1. it refers to societal advancement, while in excerpt 2, it suggests the gradual march of time.
In excerpt 1. it refers to societal advancement, while in excerpt 2, it suggests steps toward a particular goal.