Read the two passages from Of the Wisdom of the Ancients. Passage 1: The fable relates to the cradle and infancy of nature, and pierces deep. This Love I understand to be the appetite or instinct of primal matter; or to speak more plainly, the natural motion of the atom; which is indeed the original and unique force that constitutes and fashions all things out of matter. Passage 2: Let us now consider his attributes. He is described with great elegance as a little child, and a child for ever; for things compounded are larger and are affected by age; whereas the primary seeds of things, or atoms, are minute and remain in perpetual infancy. How do the two passages work together to develop Bacon’s argument?
Answer
A
Passage 1 provides a counter argument, while passage 2 disproves it.
B
Passage 1 explains his central idea, while passage 2 supports it.
C
Passage 1 lists a supporting example, while passage 2 provides a counter argument.
D
Passage 1 supports the central idea, while passage 2 explains what the central idea is.
Explanation
Passage 1 states Bacon’s central interpretation: Love represents the natural motion of atoms, the force that forms things from matter. Passage 2 supports this idea by explaining that Love is pictured as a child who remains young because atoms are tiny and do not age like larger, compounded things. Thus, Passage 1 explains the central idea, and Passage 2 provides supporting reasoning.
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