While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: • Political scientist Graham Allison is known for his Thucydides trap theory. • Allison’s theory states that whenever “a rising power is threatening to displace a ruling power,” conflict is likely. • The theory is based on Thucydides’s explanation of the conflict between Athens and Sparta. • Thucydides wrote that “the rise of Athens and the fear this instilled in Sparta” made conflict “inevitable.” • History professor Edmund Stewart recently challenged the historical basis of the theory. • Stewart claimed that Athens was not a rising power and that the rivals experienced a “clash of cultures” instead. The student wants to use a quotation to challenge Thucydides’s explanation of the conflict between Athens and Sparta. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Correct answer: C (parsed from the explanation — this source omits an answer key for this item)
Explanation
Choice C is the best answer. Using a quotation from Stewart, the sentence challenges Thucydides’s explanation that the rise of Athens caused the conflict, suggesting that it was instead caused by a “clash of cultures.” Choice A is incorrect. While the sentence uses a quotation, the quotation doesn’t challenge Thucydides’s explanation of the conflict. Choice B is incorrect. While the sentence mentions that Stewart challenged Thucydides’s explanation of the conflict, it doesn’t use a quotation to challenge Thucydides’s explanation: the quoted word “inevitable” is from Thucydides. Choice D is incorrect. While the sentence appears to refute Thucydides’s explanation, it does so in a way that misrepresents the information in the notes; Allison’s Thucydides trap theory is based on Thucydides’s explanation of the conflict. Thus, Allison’s theory affirms, rather than challenges, Thucydides’s explanation.
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