Question

"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 of the following is similar to the ideas expressed in the paragraph?

• A. A king can influence what dramas are enacted by artists.
• B. A king can influence who acts in dramas in his kingdom.
• C. A king can indicate the appropriateness of dramas enacted.
• D. A king can influence the prices charged from drama groups by actors.

Hint:

Look for the option that describes influence over an abstract standard of judgement, like the passage's example of morality, rather than direct control over a concrete decision.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The passage's central example is the king influencing standards of morality without holding actual power over morality. We need the option that follows the same shape: influence over a standard, not control over a concrete outcome.

1. A king can influence what dramas are enacted: choosing which play gets staged is a concrete decision, a direct exercise of control, not influence over a general standard.
2. A king can influence who acts in dramas: casting a specific actor is again a concrete, direct decision, not a standard-level influence.
3. A king can indicate the appropriateness of dramas enacted: appropriateness is a standard of judgement, just like morality. Shaping what counts as appropriate, without necessarily deciding which exact plays are staged, mirrors the king's influence over moral standards without power over morality itself.
4. A king can influence the prices charged from drama groups: pricing is a concrete commercial outcome, a direct exercise of control over a transaction, not influence over an abstract standard.

Only the appropriateness option matches the passage's pattern of influence over a standard rather than a concrete outcome, so the answer is that option.

Let's summarize:

• The passage's example is about influence over an abstract standard, not control over a specific, concrete decision.
• Casting, play selection and pricing are all concrete outcomes, while appropriateness is a standard, matching the morality example.

So the correct choice is option C, "A king can indicate the appropriateness of dramas enacted."