THE CORRECT ANSWER IS (A).PARAGRAPH 1 ESTABLISHES A NEGATIVEVIEW O...

36.

The correct answer is (A).

Paragraph 1 establishes a negative

view of Johnson, whereas paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 have nice

things to say about him, so choice (A) seems to express the

function the three paragraphs serve in this excerpt. As support

for this idea, you can point to Boswell’s statement, “Nor would

it be just, under this head, to omit the fondness which he

showed for animals which he had taken under his protection.”

The difference between choices (A) and (D) is one of degree.

Choice (D) implies a motive on the part of Boswell—to reas-

sure—but there is nothing in the selection that supports that;

Boswell is merely stating information. Choice (B) is only partially

true because the topic of the second paragraph is Johnson’s

attitude toward children and the topic of the third paragraph is

Johnson’s attitude toward his servants. While Boswell is a friend

of Johnson and he refers to “all, who were intimately acquainted

with him (Johnson),” in friendship, choice (C) is only an

incidental note in these three paragraphs. Choice (E) is incorrect

because there is no suggestion that Johnson is a misanthrope,

someone who distrusts all people.

Test-Taking Strategy