10

Set 1: Central Ideas (Intermediate)

Explanation

Answer: B

PASSAGE

The following text describes the concept of 'Mutually Assured Destruction' (MAD). Mutually Assured Destruction is a doctrine of military strategy and national security policy in which a full-scale use of nuclear weapons by two or more opposing sides would cause the complete annihilation of both the attacker and the defender. It is based on the theory of deterrence, which holds that the threat of using strong weapons against the enemy prevents the enemy's use of those same weapons. The strategy assumes that each side has enough nuclear weaponry to destroy the other side and that either side, if attacked for any reason by the other, would retaliate with equal or greater force.

What is the underlying assumption of the deterrence theory in MAD?

A. Nations will eventually disarm voluntarily to avoid conflict
B. The fear of total destruction prevents either side from initiating an attack✓ Correct
C. A surprise attack is the only way to win a nuclear war
D. Nuclear weapons are effective only against non-nuclear states

Detailed Explanation

Choice B is correct. The text states deterrence holds that 'the threat of using strong weapons... prevents the enemy's use of those same weapons' because of the risk of 'complete annihilation.'

Key Evidence:

• "threat of using strong weapons... prevents the enemy's use"

• "complete annihilation of both"

Why others are wrong: A (Not mentioned), C (Contradicts the point (destruction is assured regardless of who starts)), D (Not mentioned).

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