Question

read this paragraph from chapter 5 of the prince. but when cities or countries are accustomed to live under a prince, and his family is exterminated, they, being on the one hand accustomed to obey and on the other hand not having the old prince, cannot agree in making one from amongst themselves, and they do not know how to govern themselves. for this reason they are very slow to take up arms, and a prince can gain them to himself and secure them much more easily. but in republics there is more vitality, greater hatred, and more desire for vengeance, which will never permit them to allow the memory of their former liberty to rest, so that the safest way is to destroy them or to reside there. which option best states the main idea of the passage? ○ former republics are more difficult to rule than hereditary states, and they will rebel if they are not tightly controlled ○ the strategies for controlling hereditary states and former republics are the same ○ hereditary states come with a history that must be deeply understood if a new prince is to control them easily ○ hereditary states never forget their former loyalties, so they are hard to control

Explanation:

To determine the main idea, analyze each option:

• Option 1: The passage compares ruling former republics (harder, as they have vitality, hatred, desire for vengeance, and remember liberty) and hereditary states (easier, as they struggle to govern themselves and are slow to rebel). This matches the passage's contrast.
• Option 2: The passage says strategies differ (hereditary easier to control, republics need destruction/residence), so this is wrong.
• Option 3: The passage focuses on the contrast between republics and hereditary states, not just understanding hereditary history. Eliminate.
• Option 4: The passage says hereditary states are easier to control, so this is wrong.

Answer:

Former republics are more difficult to rule than hereditary states, and they will rebel if they are not tightly controlled