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Mike03Official Explanation
1. It can be inferred from the passage that members of the classical realist school would be LEAST likely to support
Explanation
This is an inference question. Because the entire passage details the classical realist school of thought, your best bet is to start with the answers. Look at each answer choice and see if you can find support for it in the passage. Because this question asks you to find the choice realists would LEAST likely support, the answers with supporting evidence are the wrong answers. Choices A and D are supported by the passage because the second paragraph states that classical realists believe that every nation must take care of its own security needs and that war is a constant threat. Choice C is supported because the fourth power discusses the formulation of a national interest. Choice E is okay as well because the second paragraph states that “alliances” are one way nations can address their security concerns. That leaves choice B as the correct answer. The third paragraph states that realists do not believe wars can be attributed to “flawed sociopolitical systems,” so trying to increase security by sending humanitarian aid would probably not be supported by classical realists.
Answer: B
2. Which of the following, if true, would best support the classical realist theory of international conflict as it is described in the passage?
Explanation
This is an apply information question. In order to answer it, you must first go to the passage to understand the theory of conflict. This information is found in the second paragraph: “In the absence of any prevailing global authority, each nation is required to address its own security needs.” Next, you have to figure out which choice best supports this view. Choice A doesn’t do much.The classical realist school isn’t concerned with the actions of dictators. Choice B seems to hurt the theory. It states that there is a prevailing global authority and yet conflict continues. Choice C just states that war is a persistent problem, but it doesn’t address the causes of it, so this choice doesn’t necessarily support the theory. Choice D does support the theory because it shows that the presence of a global authority reduces war. Remember, the realist view argued that the lack of a global authority led to war, so the presence of a global authority should reduce war. That is what choice D states. Choice E doesn’t address the causes of war or the presence of a global authority.
Answer: D
3. According to the passage, the formation of a national interest serves what function in the classical realist theory of war and peace?
Explanation
This is a supporting idea question. Go back to the part of the passage that discusses “national interest.” The answer to this question is in the fourth paragraph, where the author states “Because classical realists see international relations as a continuing struggle for dominance, the nation can not be viewed as a collection of individuals with disparate wants, goals, and ideologies.The realist view requires the formulation of a national interest…” Thus, in order for the theory to work, there must be the idea of a national interest. This is what choice B states. Choices A and D are not supported. Choice C is not close enough, since there is no mention of relative importance. Choice E has a similar problem; the passage says it receives criticism, but doesn’t say “most.”
Answer: B
4. The author most likely regards the classical realist theory of international relations with
Explanation
This is a tone question. Some tone questions require you to consider the passage as a whole, while some ask about a specific part. This is a more general tone question. The passage describes the classical realist view and the author ends by stating that the theory has had “successes” in describing relations in the world.Thus, the tone must be somewhat positive. That leaves only choices D and E as possibilities. Between the two, choice D is too strong. Passages on the GMAT rarely if ever will contain “glowing approval” for their topics.
Answer: E