PrepTest 121, Section 2, Question 4
Social scientists have traditionally defined multipolar international systems(464 more words not shown)
With respect to the Cold(10 more words not shown)
- Afearful that European(8 more words not shown)
- Bsurprised that it(7 more words not shown)
- Cconvinced that it(8 more words not shown)
- Dregretful that the(8 more words not shown)
- Econfident it will(11 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
The Cold War is a bipolar example, but the important part is how the writer uses it at the end. Its rigid two-power structure may have helped maintain general peace. That makes it a reason to reconsider the assumption that bipolarity is especially conflict-prone. We need the writer's assessment of that example, not an emotional reaction we're supplying ourselves.
Working the answers
- A
The writer doesn't express fear that a similar arrangement will return. The concluding use of the Cold War emphasizes its possible contribution to stability.
- B
The writer questions the assumptions that make bipolarity seem destined for serious conflict. We aren't given an expression of surprise that the Cold War didn't end in a major war.
- CCorrect
The Cold War supplies an important example of bipolarity maintaining peace. The final sentence suggests that its limited axis of conflict may have provided the conditions for general peace in the later twentieth century.
- D
No regret about European countries' ambivalence is expressed. We aren't told that their uncertainty is the problem.
- E
This predicts how brief the bipolar interval will look between longer multipolar periods. The writer doesn't forecast that sequence or its duration.
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