Question

Read the excerpt from Samuel Johnson's preface to A Dictionary of the English Language.

I applied myself to the perusal of our writers; and noting whatever might be of use to ascertain or illustrate any word or phrase, accumulated in time the materials of a dictionary, which, by degrees, I reduced to method, establishing to myself, in the progress of the work, such rules as experience and analogy suggested to me; experience, which practice and observation were continually increasing; and analogy, which, though in some words obscure, was evident in others.


The excerpt suggests that Johnson’s work is significant because it

teaches readers how to understand analogies.
follows a method prescribed by other dictionaries.
reflects an exhaustive study of its words.
includes obscure words not previously defined.

Answer 1

The excerpt suggests that Johnson’s work is significant because it **reflects an exhaustive study of its words**. He mentions applying himself to the perusal of various writers, accumulating materials, and establishing rules based on experience and observation, indicating a thorough and comprehensive approach to creating the dictionary.