Questions 26 to 30 are based on the following passage:
The question of whether war is inevitable is one which has concerned many of the world's great writers. Before considering this question, it will useful to introduce some related concepts. Conflict, defined as opposition among social entities directed against one another is distinguished from competition, defined as opposition among social entities independently striving for some thing which is in inadequate supply. Competitors may not be aware of one another, while the parties to a conflict are.
Opposition is thus contrasted with cooperation, the process by which social entities function in the service of one another. These definitions are necessary because it is important to emphasize that competition between individuals or groups is inevitable in a world of limited resources, but conflict is not. Conflict, nevertheless, is very likely to occur, and is probably an essential and desirable element of human societies.
Many authors have argued for the inevitability premise that in the struggle for existence among animal species, only the fittest survive. In general, however, this struggle in nature is competition, not conflict. Social animals, such as monkeys and cattle, fight to win or maintain leadership of the group. The struggle for existence occurs not in such fights but in the competition for limited feeding areas and for the occupancy of areas free from meet-eating animals. Those who fail in competition starve to death or become victims to other species. This struggle for existence does not resemble human war, but rather the competition of individuals for jobs, markets, and materials. The essence of the struggle is the competition for the necessities of life that are insufficient to satisfy all.
Among nations there is competition in developing resources trades, skills, and a satisfactory way of life. The successful nations grow and prosper; the unsuccessful decline. While it is true that this competition may induce efforts to expand territory at the expense of others, and thus lead to conflict, it cannot be said that war-like conflict among nations is inevitable, although competition is.
26. In the first paragraph, the author gives the definitions of some terms in order to _______. A) argue for the similarities between and human societies B) smooth out the conflicts in human societies C) distinguish between two kinds of opposition D) summarize the that characteristic features of opposition and cooperation
27. According to the author, competition differs from conflict in that _______. A) it results in war in most cases B) it induces efforts to expand territory C) it is kind of opposition among aria entities D) it is essentially a struggle for existence
28. The phrase "function in the disservice of one another" (Para. 1) most probably means "_______". A) betray each other B) harm one another C) help to collaborate with each other D) benefit on another
29. The author indicates in the passage that conflict _______. A) is an inevitable struggle resulting from competition B) reflects the struggle among social animals C) is an opposition among individual social animals D) can be avoided
30. The passage is probably intended to answer the question "_______". A) Is war inevitable? B) Why is there conflict and competition? C) Is conflict desirable? D) Can competition lead to conflict?
premise that in the struggle for existence among animal species, only the fittest survive. In general, however, this struggle in nature is competition, not conflict. Social animals, such as monkeys and cattle, fight to win or maintain leadership of the group. The struggle for existence occurs not in such fights but in the competition for limited feeding areas and for the occupancy of areas free from meet-eating animals. Those who fail in competition starve to death or become victims to other species. This struggle for existence does not resemble human war, but rather the competition of individuals for jobs, markets, and materials. The essence of the struggle is the competition for the necessities of life that are insufficient to satisfy all.
