Q2

[jayparkcom]

How is D a better answer than C?
please help!

[ohthatpatrick]

For questions that ask about the Function/Purpose of a paragraph, the correct answer frequently sounds like a paraphrase of the first sentence of the paragraph in question.

The last paragraph says "this reassessment ... "

Which 'reassessment'?
The 'reassessment' discussed in line 36 - that conventional wisdom might have it backwards ... maybe bipolar are safer, more stable systems than multipolar ones (conventional wisdom assumed the opposite)

So line 49-50 is saying, "The fact that it now seems like bipolar is more stable than multipolar may lead us to look in a new light at the Cold War".

From this, it seems that the function of the last paragraph is to discuss the Cold War in light of the reassessment about bipolar/multipolar systems.

One central difference between (C) and (D) is that (D) indicates the last paragraph is backward-looking (20th century history), while (C) indicates that the last paragraph is forward-looking ("a new argument in favor of embracing bipolar").

Nothing in the last paragraph is discussing what countries nowadays are doing or considering. But that's what (C) is describing. It makes the last paragraph seem like it said, "Since we now think that bipolar systems are more stable, Europe is trying to form a bipolar system."

Instead, the last paragraph says, "Check it out -- the Cold War is a good example of what we're talking about. Its bipolar characteristics actually promoted peace/stability while the multipolar Europe of 1914 started a World War."

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have lingering confusion.