Re: A successful revolution, whereby those who have unseated the previous
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23 Nov 2025, 09:58
Let's break this down step by step.
First blank:
A successful revolution _______ is not (i) _________ .
The sentence says that a revolution that unseats a government and ushers in an irenic (peaceful) transformation is not something common.
So it's "not the norm."
- Aberration means deviation from the norm - but if it's "not an aberration," that would mean it is the norm, which contradicts the sense.
- Archetype doesn't fit logically here - it's not saying it's "not an archetype."
So A. the norm fits.
Second blank:
... the American Revolution _______ bequeathed a(n) (ii) _______ that all restive nations need only follow ⋯
They're talking about a model or pattern to follow.
- Template = pattern or model, fits perfectly.
- Notion is an idea, but here it's more like a blueprint for action.
- Maxim is a short statement of general truth, not a plan to follow.
So D. template fits.
Third blank:
One must look no further than the 20th century to realize the (iii) ________ of this conception.
The conception is that other nations can just follow the American Revolution's template and get effective self-rule. But 20th-century history shows this is unrealistic or mistaken.
- Futility = pointlessness - possible, but "futility of this conception" means the conception is useless, which works.
- Ambiguity doesn't fit - the point isn't that it's ambiguous, but that it's wrong.
- Folly = foolishness - also possible, but "realize the folly" is slightly more judgmental; "futility" is more neutral and fits academic tone.
However, "folly" is actually fine and maybe even stronger - but given GRE style, "futility" is common in such contexts: "the futility of this conception" = the conception doesn't work in practice.
But let's check: "realize the folly" = realize it's a foolish idea; "realize the futility" = realize it's ineffective. Both possible, but "folly" emphasizes foolishness rather than just ineffectiveness.
Given the rest of the sentence - "all restive nations need only follow" is overly optimistic and proven wrong by 20th century - the best match is I. folly (foolishness).
Final choices:
(i) A. the norm
(ii) D. template
(iii) I. folly