Which four phrases in this excerpt from Robert Stawell Ball’s Great Astromomers convey a commendable tone toward Ptlemy’s work.
The name, Ptolemy, appears to have been a common one in Egypt in those days. The time at which he lived is fixed by the fact that his first recorded observation was made in 127 AD, and his last in 151 AD. When we add that he seems to have lived in or near Alexandria, or to use his own words, "on the parallel of Alexandria," we have said everything that can be said so far as his individuality is concerned.

Ptolemy is, without doubt, the greatest figure in ancient astronomy. He gathered up the wisdom of the philosophers who had preceded him. He incorporated this with the results of his own observations, and illumined it with his theories. His speculations, even when they were, as we now know, quite erroneous, had such an astonishing verisimilitude to the actual facts of nature that they commanded universal assent. Even in these modern days we not unfrequently find lovers of paradox who maintain that Ptolemy's doctrines not only seem true, but actually are true.

Our task is to determine which phrases praise Ptolemy for his work. These phrases will contain subjective language - language that reveals the author's feelings, opinions, beliefs, or assumptions about what he's writing about. All phrases, except for the first one, contain this type of language. The first phrase contains neutral, objective language, which is why it isn't one of the correct options.

Words that Robert Stawell Ball uses to commend Ptolemy are greatest, wisdom, illuminated, and astonishing. All of these words have a positive connotation, i.e. evoke positive emotions in us.