Question

lesson 13: question set 3
directions: read this passage from chapter 6 of the phantom tollbooth, which the which, fairly macabre, tells milo a story about the princesses rhyme and reason. then answer each item.
from the phantom tollbooth
by norton juster
“then one day they had the most terrible quarrel,¹ of all. king azaz insisted that words were far more significant than numbers and hence his kingdom was truly the greater, and the mathemagician claimed that numbers were much more important than words and hence his kingdom was supreme.³ they discussed and debated and raved and ranted until they were on the verge of blows, ⁴ when it was decided to submit the question to arbitration,⁵ by the princesses.
“after days of careful consideration, in which all the evidence was weighed and all the witnesses heard, they made their decision:
“‘words and numbers are of equal value, for, in the cloak of knowledge, one is warp and the other woof.⁶ it is no more important to count the sands than it is to name the stars. therefore, let both kingdoms live in peace.’
everyone was pleased with the verdict.⁷ everyone, that is, but the
which statement best expresses a theme of this passage? (rl.5.2)
○ some problems are impossible to solve.
○ problems should be solved with reason and common sense.
○ conflict is sometimes necessary to bring about lasting peace.
○ it is important to take responsibility for one’s actions.

Explanation:

The passage describes a bitter quarrel between the kingdom of words and numbers that nearly leads to violence, until they submit to arbitration and reach a peaceful resolution. This aligns with the idea that conflict was needed to prompt the process that resulted in peace. The other options do not fit: the problem was solved, so it was not impossible; the resolution came via arbitration, not just common sense; and personal responsibility for actions is not the focus of the passage.

Answer:

Conflict is sometimes necessary to bring about lasting peace.