Question

read the excerpt from dispatches.

by autumn, what had begun as an adventurous expedition had turned into an exhausting, indecisive war of attrition in which we fought for no cause other than our own survival.

which statement best explains the paradox in the excerpt?

• it is odd that war should ever be viewed as an adventurous expedition.
• it is unusual that soldiers should ever be forced to fight merely to survive.
• it is surprising that the expedition turned out to be so exhausting and difficult.
• it is unfortunate that the soldiers did not have the easy time they had anticipated.

Explanation:

Identify the contradictory elements in the excerpt

The excerpt contrasts "an adventurous expedition" with "an exhausting, indecisive war of attrition." A paradox involves a statement or situation that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

Analyze the options against the definition of paradox

The contrast between viewing a destructive, deadly event like "war" as an exciting, positive "adventurous expedition" represents the core conceptual contradiction (paradox) in the text.

Determine the best explanation

The first option directly addresses this contradiction by pointing out how odd it is to view war as an adventurous expedition.

Answer:

• (A) It is odd that war should ever be viewed as an adventurous expedition. (Correct answer)
• (B) It is unusual that soldiers should ever be forced to fight merely to survive.
• (C) It is surprising that the expedition turned out to be so exhausting and difficult.
• (D) It is unfortunate that the soldiers did not have the easy time they had anticipated.