Question

re the United States. Following a nuclear war, there would be a race to see who could rebuild their country first. In a scenario of two dazed boxers lying flat on their backs, slowly regaining consciousness, the winner of World War III would be that country which could stand on its feet first (and so go on to win World War IV). Therefore, the Pentagon’s priority was to provide scientists with a way to rebuild the country as fast as possible, unimpeded by unnecessary restrictions.
Which detail provides the most cultural context for this excerpt about the Cold War?
There was also a sense of urgency.
The Pentagon was worried that the shattered remains of the Soviet Union might be rebuilt before the United States.
In a scenario of two dazed boxers lying flat on their backs. . . .
Therefore, the Pentagon’s priority was to provide scientists with a way to rebuild the country as fast as possible. . . .

Answer 1

Answer: B (The Pentagon was worried that the shattered remains of the Soviet Union might be rebuilt before the United States)

Explanation: Option A is too wide and unspecific; option C gives a more detailed picture of the situation, but it does so through a metaphor that becomes meaningless without essential contextual information; option D, while free from vagueness, is dependent on the information provided by option B; option B actually reveals the most important geopolitical detail of the moment and positions the reader in the historical moment.

Answer 2

I would say B "The Pentagon was worried that the shattered remains of the Soviet Union might be rebuilt before the United States." is the best answer because it mentions the Soviet Union which collapsed in 1991 (if I remember correctly). This shows that it happened before then, and it gives the audience a better idea of the timeframe.