sat suite question viewer
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?
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.