4

Set 4: Cross-Text Connections

Explanation

Answer: A

PASSAGE

Text 1 The concept of 'soft power' refers to a nation's ability to influence others through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion (hard power). Culture, political values, and foreign policies are key assets. Text 2 While hard power (military/economic) can force compliance, it is often brittle. Soft power breeds genuine goodwill and long-term alliances, but it takes decades to build and can be lost quickly by hypocritical actions.

What distinction does Text 2 draw between the two forms of power?

A. Hard power offers immediate but potentially unstable results, while soft power offers stable but slow-to-build influence.✓ Correct
B. Soft power is useless.
C. Hard power takes longer to build.
D. They are identical.

Detailed Explanation

Text 1: Definition. Text 2: Hard = Force/Brittle. Soft = Goodwill/Long-term/Slow. Distinction: Stability/Speed.

Key Evidence:

• "force compliance ... brittle"

• "long-term alliances ... decades to build"

Why others are wrong: B (Goodwill/Alliances.), C (Soft takes decades.), D (Distinguishes them.).

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