Question

read the passage, then answer the question that follows.
it has had a hard life of it, this feeling of imperial patriotism. it was checked for a generation by the apathy and the indifference which were the characteristics of our former relations with our colonies, but it was never extinguished. the embers were still alight, and when in the late war this old country of ours showed that it was still possessed by the spirit of our ancestors, and that it was still prepared to count no sacrifice that was necessary in order to maintain the honor and the interests of the empire, then you found a response from your children across the seas that astonished the whole world by a proof, an undeniable proof, of affection and regard.
—\i believe in a british empire,\
joseph chamberlain
what concession does chamberlain make in this passage?
○ the honor and interests of the british empire are all that matter.
○ britain once felt apathetic and indifferent toward its colonies.
○ affection and regard, the feelings of british children, are proof of britain’s new way of life.
○ britain is still defined by the spirit of its ancestors and thirsts for war.

Explanation:

To determine the concession Chamberlain makes, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: The passage doesn't emphasize that only the Empire's honor and interests matter; it's about the relationship with colonies and patriotism, so this is incorrect.
• Option 2: The passage states "It was checked for a generation by the apathy and the indifference which were the characteristics of our former relations with our Colonies", meaning Britain once had apathy/indifference toward colonies. This matches a concession (admitting a past shortcoming).
• Option 3: The passage says the response from children across seas was proof of affection, not that it's proof of a new way of life. So this is incorrect.
• Option 4: The passage says Britain was prepared to make sacrifices for the Empire, not that it "thirsts for war". This misinterprets the text.

Answer:

B. Britain once felt apathetic and indifferent toward its colonies.