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