Q5

[lolitatrekkie]

I don't understand why answer choice D is correct and not E?

I had a hard time trying to make an inference about the Concert of Europe reference from ln 14-17 because after I was done reading the line reference I couldn't look anywhere else in the passage that mentions the Concert of Europe. Since the 1st paragraph mentioned about multi-polar systems are a result of less powerful members grouping together to counter threats from larger groups, I thought this described the Concert of Europe which was why I choose E.

Thank you!

[ohthatpatrick]

Question Type: Inference

Context:
The Concert of Europe is brought up in line 14-17 as an example of a multipolar system.

So we're allowed to infer that "whatever is true of multipolar systems, is also true of the Concert of Europe".

What do we know about multipolar systems? (The rest of the 1st paragraph)
- three or more nations of roughly equal strength
- shifting alliances, fluid and flexible
- small confrontations are frequent, usually when smaller members group together to rally against larger aggressive members
- usually results in stability

What do we want to remember when doing Inference questions?
Beware language that is
TOO STRONG / SPECIFIC
MAKES A NEW COMPARISON
SAYS SOMETHING TOTALLY NEW

(A) "Each" is extreme and "threatened the integrity of the system" is strong. This doesn't match our pre-phrase info ... "usually results in stability"

(B) "Highest possible" is extreme

(C) "All factors continue to contribute" is extreme

(D) This sounds like lines 8-14

(E) "More stable than most multipolar" is a extreme (most) and a new comparison (MORE stable). We have no support for comparing THIS multipolar system to others. All we know is that the Concert of Europe is AN example of a multipolar system.

Hope this helps.