Which statement best describes the use of the underlined word in Johnson's preface excerpts?

Which statement best describes the use of the underlined word in Johnson's preface excerpts?

• A. Excerpt 1 recognizes the importance of word origins, and excerpt 2 suggests that etymology is more important than syntax.
• B. Excerpt 1 recognizes the importance of word origins, but excerpt 2 suggests that studying word origins could be a waste of time.
• C. Excerpt 1 questions the study of word origins, but excerpt 2 asserts the need to include etymology in dictionaries.
• D. Excerpt 1 questions the study of word origins, and excerpt 2 insists that etymology is best studied over the course of one's lifetime.

Answer: (B)

Understanding how Johnson treats etymology in his preface helps explain the two excerpts. In the first passage, the underlined word is used to show that word origins have value for understanding meaning and historical connections. In the second passage, the same term is applied in a way that casts doubt on the usefulness of chasing etymology, suggesting that studying word origins could be a waste of time. The best description, then, is that one excerpt recognizes the importance of word origins while the other implies that pursuing them may be inefficient or unnecessary. This aligns with Johnson’s pragmatic approach: etymology can illuminate language, but it isn’t always essential for readers or for making a dictionary useful. The other options push an interpretation that doesn’t fit the contrast between a positive regard in the first excerpt and a skeptical or dismissive stance in the second.

Understanding how Johnson treats etymology in his preface helps explain the two excerpts. In the first passage, the underlined word is used to show that word origins have value for understanding meaning and historical connections. In the second passage, the same term is applied in a way that casts doubt on the usefulness of chasing etymology, suggesting that studying word origins could be a waste of time. The best description, then, is that one excerpt recognizes the importance of word origins while the other implies that pursuing them may be inefficient or unnecessary. This aligns with Johnson’s pragmatic approach: etymology can illuminate language, but it isn’t always essential for readers or for making a dictionary useful. The other options push an interpretation that doesn’t fit the contrast between a positive regard in the first excerpt and a skeptical or dismissive stance in the second.