Monarchy, a stable form of government for many centuries, came under greater and greater social pressure in the 18th and 19th centuries, in particular in Europe and in North America. In many countries, the end result was a complete change of regime.
Which of the following conclusions is most strongly supported by the information above?The passage says monarchy faced increasing pressure in the 18th and 19th centuries, and in many countries this pressure led to a complete regime change. So the safest supported conclusion is that monarchy became less common by the end of that period.
The key idea is decline in monarchy, not necessarily the rise of democracy.
A. By the end of the nineteenth century, most monarchies in Europe and North America were replaced by democracies.
Wrong. The passage says many countries changed regime, but it does not say most monarchies changed or that they became democracies.
B. Most countries which were monarchic in Europe and North America at the beginning of the 18th century had a different form of government by the end of the 19th century.
Wrong. “Most” is too strong. The passage says many countries, not most countries.
C. Though accepted in the twentieth century by certain countries, communism has philosophical and social roots dating to the 18th and 19th centuries.
Wrong. Communism is not discussed.
D. There were many reasons for the regime changes of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Wrong. The passage mentions social pressure, but it does not say there were many reasons.
E. You were more likely to live in a monarchy on the eve of the 18th century than you were on the eve of the 20th century.
Correct. Since monarchy had been stable for centuries but came under pressure in the 18th and 19th centuries, and many countries underwent regime change, it is reasonable to infer that monarchy was less common by the end of the 19th century than before that period.
Answer: (E)