Select the correct text in the passage. 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.

This question is missing the answer choices. I was able to find them online. They are the following:

Which four phrases from Robert Stawell Ball's "Great Astronomers" convey a commendable tone toward Ptolemy's work?

A. so far as his individual is concerned

B. greatest figure in ancient astronomy

C. gathered up the wisdom

D. illuminated it with his theories

E. astonishing verisimilitude to the actual facts

The four phrases which convey a commendable tone are:

B. greatest figure in ancient astronomy

C. gathered up the wisdom

D. illuminated it with his theories

E. astonishing verisimilitude to the actual fact

Explanation:

Robert Stawell Ball (1840-1913) was an Irish astronomer who, in the excerpt we are analyzing here, is talking about another astronomer, Ptolemy (100 CE-170 CE). Ptolemy was Egyptian of Greek descent. Besides being an astronomer, he was also a geographer and a mathematician.

The adjective "commendable" refers to something or someone that deserves to be praised. If we are looking for phrases with a commendable tone, we are looking for phrases that praise someone. In that case, it is easy to see that phrases B, C, D, and E are the correct ones. The word choice - "greatest", "wisdom", "illuminated", "astonishing verisimilitude" - reveals the favorable opinion Ball has of Ptolemy's work.

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