Question

Read the following passage and answer the question below.

"Since power is itself a value, forms of influence which include power in their scope are usually themselves forms of power. The king's mistress, though she has only influence, not power, over the king, may have power over his subjects in the degree of that influence. Forms of influence based on power are themselves forms of power only if the scope of the influence is included within that of the power in question. The king may exercise influence over standards of morality, say, by virtue of his power position, but he does not necessarily exercise power over morality."

Which combination of the following statements best summarises the idea expressed in the paragraph?

1. Strength of an influence determines its power.
2. Influence always contributes power to the wielder of influence beyond the scope of influence.
3. Proximity to authority is itself a source of power.
4. Forms of influence are power only if they can influence behaviour.

• A. 1, 2
• B. 1, 3
• C. 1, 4
• D. 1, 3, 4

Hint:

Find the passage's exact rule (influence is power only if its scope matches the power's scope) and match statements against that rule word for word, not a loose paraphrase.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The passage lays down a rule for when influence counts as power: influence becomes a form of power only when the scope, the reach, of that influence lines up with the scope of the power in question. The king's influence over morality does not give him power over morality because morality is a wider domain than what his position actually controls. We must pick the two statements that together capture this rule.

Step 2: Key Approach:
Go through each of the four statements and check it directly against the passage's central rule, not against a loose paraphrase of it.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Statement 1, "strength of an influence determines its power", matches the passage's core rule when "strength" is read as how far the influence actually reaches: the passage explicitly says influence is power only if its scope, in effect its reach or strength, is included within the scope of the power at hand. This is the passage's central claim restated.
Statement 4, "forms of influence are power only if they can influence behaviour", restates the same rule from the angle of concrete effect: influence only becomes power when it can actually shape outcomes or conduct within the relevant domain, exactly the condition the passage places on the king's influence over morality not converting into power over morality.
Statement 2 says influence always adds power beyond its own scope. The passage says the exact opposite: influence is power only within the matching scope, never automatically beyond it, so this statement contradicts the passage rather than summarising it.
Statement 3 says nearness to authority is itself a source of power. The mistress example shows the opposite: her power over the king's subjects comes from the degree of actual influence she exercises, not from mere physical or social closeness to the king. Proximity by itself is not the source, the resulting influence is.

Step 4: Final Answer:
Statements 1 and 4 together capture the passage's idea; statements 2 and 3 both misstate it. \[ \boxed{\text{1, 4}} \]