Question

× james boswells life of johnson, a 1791 biography of the poet, critic, dictionary - writer, and conversationalist samuel johnson, is an intimate portrait of a larger - than - life personality. boswell was personally present for many of the anecdotes he shares in the book, including a moment when johnson kicked a rock to demonstrate his feelings about george berkeleys theory that the universe was made up of ideas, not matter.× which quotation from the life of johnson most effectively illustrates the claim?a \i never shall forget the alacrity with which johnson answered, striking his foot with mighty force against a large stone, till he rebounded from it, i refute it thus.\b \when we came home from church, he placed himself on one of the stone - seats at his garden - door, and i took the other, and thus in the open air and in a placid frame of mind, he talked away very easily.\c \if anything rocks at all, they say it rocks like a cradle, and in this way they do on.\

Explanation:

The claim is about Boswell sharing anecdotes, including Johnson kicking a rock to demonstrate his feelings about Berkeley’s theory (universe of ideas, not matter). Option A's quote describes Johnson striking a stone to refute (likely related to Berkeley’s theory, as kicking the rock was to show his stance on the theory). Option B is about a calm conversation, not the anecdote. Option C (partially shown) seems about rocks in a cradle, not the specific anecdote. So A’s quote matches the claim’s anecdote of Johnson’s action related to the theory.

Answer:

A. "I never shall forget the alacrity with which Johnson answered, striking his foot with mighty force against a large stone, till he rebounded from it, 'I refute it. THUS.'"