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Set 1: Central Ideas (Intermediate)

Explanation

Answer: A

PASSAGE

The following text discusses Stoicism. Stoicism, an ancient Greek school of philosophy founded at Athens by Zeno of Citium, teaches that virtue, the highest good, is based on knowledge; the wise live in harmony with the divine Reason (also identified with Fate and Providence) that governs nature, and are indifferent to the vicissitudes of fortune and to pleasure and pain. Thus, the key to a good life is not in altering external circumstances, but in mastering one’s internal response to them.

What is the central tenet of Stoicism regarding the path to a good life?

A. Achieving maximum pleasure and minimizing pain through careful planning✓ Correct
B. Controlling one's internal reaction to events rather than the events themselves
C. Accumulating knowledge to predict and alter future outcomes
D. Living in complete isolation to avoid the chaos of society

Detailed Explanation

Choice B is correct. The text states the key to a good life is 'mastering one’s internal response' to external circumstances, rather than altering those circumstances.

Key Evidence:

• "indifferent to the vicissitudes of fortune"

• "mastering one’s internal response to them"

Why others are wrong: A (Opposite (text says wise are 'indifferent to... pleasure and pain')), C (Misinterpretation (knowledge is important, but for harmony, not altering future)), D (Not mentioned).

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