Question

read the excerpt from a rumor of war.

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.

based on the excerpt, the narrator

• understands that he has a specific responsibility but is frightened to be a part of the war effort.
• understands how important wars can be to a culture after he experiences one firsthand.
• believes there are instances when violence is a necessary evil, despite its unpleasantness.
• believes the reasons for fighting become muted over time and eventually all that matters is staying alive.

Explanation:

Analyze the excerpt's shift in perspective

The excerpt describes a transition from an "adventurous expedition" to an "exhausting, indecisive war of attrition." This indicates that the initial excitement or perceived purpose of the conflict has faded.

Evaluate the ultimate motivation

The text explicitly states that they "fought for no cause other than our own survival." This directly supports the idea that the original reasons for fighting have become secondary or muted, leaving self-preservation as the sole remaining focus.

Match with the correct option

The fourth option, "believes the reasons for fighting become muted over time and eventually all that matters is staying alive," perfectly aligns with the transition from an adventurous cause to fighting purely for survival.

Answer:

• understands that he has a specific responsibility but is frightened to be a part of the war effort.
• understands how important wars can be to a culture after he experiences one firsthand.
• believes there are instances when violence is a necessary evil, despite its unpleasantness.
• believes the reasons for fighting become muted over time and eventually all that matters is staying alive. (Correct answer)