Steps to Follow:

• Read the passage analytically
• Assess the question
• Use the passage to answer
• Form your analysis. Note the down. Note the central idea of the pas sage.
• See in which of the above mentioned type the question fall into. Your strategy will differ from type to type
• Instead of giving the answers based on your memory, read the passage. It is like open book test. Take an extra minute and give right answer.

Sample Passages
Read the following passage and answer the question s below the passage.
The classical realist theory of international relations has long dominated both academic institutions and the American government. Even at the birth of the nation, early political thinkers, such as Alexander Hamilton, promoted a realist view of international relations and sought to influence the actions of the government based on this perspective. While the classical realist school of international relations is not entirely homogeneous in nature, there are certain premises that all classical realists share.
The primary principle underlying classical realism is a concern with issues of war and peace. Specifically, classical realists ask, what are the causes of war and what are the conditions of peace? The members of the classical realist school mainly attribute war and conflict to what is termed the security dilemma. In the absence of any prevailing global authority, each nation is required to address its own security needs. However, each nation’s quest for security—through military buildups, alliances, or territorial defenses— necessarily unsettles other nations. These nations react to feelings of insecurity by engaging in their own aggressive actions, which leads other nations to react similarly, perpetuating the cycle.
It is important to note that for realists, unlike idealists or liberal internationalists, international conflict is a necessary consequence of the structural anarchy that nations find themselves in. Whereas other schools may see international conflict as the result of evil dictators, historical chance, flawed sociopolitical systems, or ignorance of world affairs, classical realists see war as the logical result of a system that by its nature lacks a true central authority.
Hand in hand with this view of conflict as an inevitable condition of the global power structure is the realists’ view of the nation as a unitary actor. Because classical realists see international relations as a continuing struggle for dominance, the nation can not be viewed as a collection of individuals with disparate wants, goals, and ideologies. The realist view requires the formulation of a national interest, which in its simplest terms refers to the nation’s ability to survive, maintain its security, and achieve some level of power relative to its competitors.
Realism is not without its critics, many of whom challenge the premise that war is the natural condition of international relations or that there can be a truly national interest. However, the realist school of international relations continues to shape foreign policy because of the successes it has had in describing real world interactions between nations.
Q.1 The formation of a national interest serves what function in the classical realist theory of war and peace, based on the passage?
A. It is a convenience used by theorists to describe national interests where none exist.
B. It provides the necessary justification for the classical realist view of a continuous global power struggle.
C. It is less important to the theory than is the idea of the nation as a unitary actor.
D. It is the part of the theory that receives the most criticism from opponents.
Answer: B.
Explanation:
This is a supporting idea question. Refer to the part of the passage that discusses “national interest.” The answer to this question is in the fourth paragraph, where the author states “Because classical realists see international relations as a continuing struggle for dominance, the nation can not be viewed as a collection of individuals with disparate wants, goals, and ideologies. The realist view requires the formulation of a national interest…” Hence, for this theory to work there must be the idea of a national interest. Therefore the right choice is B.
Choice A is not supported. Choice C is not close enough, since there is no mention of any comparison or relative importance. For Choice D; the passage says it receives criticism, but it never says “most.”
Q.2 From the passage, members of the classical realist school would be LEAST likely to support which of the following argument?
A. an international policy based on building a strong military force to deter threats
B. an international policy that seeks to reduce threats of war by providing humanitarian aid to potential aggressor countries
C. a domestic policy that attempts to unify the nation’s citizens behind a common cause
D. a domestic policy that allocates a majority of the country’s budget for defense spending
E. an international policy based on joining a common defense contract with other nations
Answer B
Explanation:
This is an Inference Type Question. Now let us find out a support for each statement in the passage. The statements for which we can find the support should never be the answers.
Choices A and C are supported by the passage in the second paragraph which states that classical realists believe that every nation must take care of its own security needs and that war is a constant threat. Choice D is also supported because second paragraph speaks about “alliances”. That left us with Option B as the correct answer. Also the passage mentioned that “classical realists see war as the logical result of a system that by its nature lacks a true central authority” and not because of any flawed socio-political systems.
Q.3 Depending on the description provided in the passage, which of the following, if true, would best support the classical realist theory of international conflict?
A. Some countries ruled by dictators maintain peaceful relations with their neighbors.
B. Despite the presence of a world superpower, many countries continue to fight wars with their neighbors.
C. War has existed from the beginning of recorded history.
D. After the nations of the world form an authoritative world court, wars decrease dramatically.
Answer D
Explanation:
This is an apply information question. To answer it, you should first go to the passage to understand the theory of conflict. We can find this information in the second paragraph where the passage says, “In the absence of any prevailing global authority, each nation is required to address its own security needs.” Now, you need to find which choice best supports this view.
Choice A doesn’t supports because the classical realist school isn’t concerned with the actions of dictators. Choice B again is not in line with the theory. It states that there is a prevailing global authority and yet conflict continues. Choice C states that war is a persistent problem, but it is not addressing the causes of it. Choice D supports the theory because it shows that the presence of a global authority reduces war.
Q.4 The author most likely regards the classical realist theory of international relations with
A. General lack of interest
B. Unconvinced dismissal
C. Indirect disapproval
D. Experienced acceptance
Answer D
Explanation:
This is a tone type question. You need to understand the direction of passage. If you see the last paragraph of the passage, the author is more positive about realism and says – “However, the realist school of international relations continues to shape foreign policy because of the successes it has had in describing real world interactions between nations.”
Therefore the answer is D which is the only positive answer.
Q.5 According to the passage, what is the underlying principle of classic realism?
A. International Economic Conflicts
B. Removal of dictatorship from world
C. Issues of War and Peace
D. Humanitarian aid to economically depressed nations
Answer C
Explanation: This is a factual type question and you can find the answer directly in the passage. The start of second paragraph says – “The primary principle underlying classical realism is a concern with issues of war and peace”. Hence the answer is C