CSS International Relations chapter 3: Security, conflict and diplomacy MCQs with answers

By Team Megalecture · Updated 4 Nov 2026

46 exam-style questions on Security, conflict and diplomacy, each with the answer and a short explanation. Ten of them are below to try. The chapter test draws ten fresh questions each time and is marked the moment you finish, with your score by topic.

46 questions · 3 topics · 10 per test

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What chapter 3 covers

Ten Security, conflict and diplomacy questions with answers

Try each one, then open the answer. These ten stay the same; the test draws new ones every time.

1. The basic bargain of the NPT is that

  1. A
    every state may keep the weapons that it already has indefinitely and pass them on to any ally that asks for them
  2. B
    nuclear states must supply weapons to their allies, who in turn promise not to use them without the permission of the supplier
  3. C
    non-nuclear states give up weapons, nuclear states pursue disarmament and all may use peaceful nuclear energy
  4. D
    peaceful nuclear energy is banned for all states, whether or not they have weapons, until every arsenal is destroyed
Show answer

Answer: C. The three pillars of the NPT are non-proliferation, disarmament and the right to peaceful nuclear technology.

2. A security arrangement in which all members agree to respond jointly to aggression by any state against any member is called

  1. A
    a balance of power
  2. B
    armed neutrality
  3. C
    an entente
  4. D
    collective security
Show answer

Answer: D. In collective security the group undertakes to act against any aggressor, whoever it is.

3. The Partial Test Ban Treaty of 1963 prohibited nuclear tests in the atmosphere, in outer space and under water, but allowed them

  1. A
    in the Arctic
  2. B
    in the Southern Hemisphere
  3. C
    on islands
  4. D
    underground
Show answer

Answer: D. Underground tests remained permitted, which is why a comprehensive treaty was later sought.

4. The ABM Treaty of 1972 limited missile-defence systems because

  1. A
    defensive systems were too expensive for either side to build in large numbers
  2. B
    unlimited defences would allow one side to hope to survive a war, which would undermine mutual deterrence
  3. C
    missile defences were banned by the UN Charter as a form of aggression
  4. D
    the two sides had already agreed to abolish all their offensive missiles
Show answer

Answer: B. If neither side could defend itself, both remained vulnerable, which was the logic of mutual assured destruction.

5. In arbitration the parties

  1. A
    ask a third party for non-binding proposals which they are free to accept or reject as they wish
  2. B
    talk directly with each other and accept no outside help of any kind in reaching a settlement
  3. C
    agree to submit the dispute to a chosen third party whose decision is binding
  4. D
    agree to go to war after a fixed period of delay for cooling off, with no third party involved
Show answer

Answer: C. Arbitration gives a legally binding award. Mediation gives only proposals.

6. Which state is a classic example of permanent neutrality?

  1. A
    Italy
  2. B
    Switzerland
  3. C
    Poland
  4. D
    Turkey
Show answer

Answer: B. Switzerland has followed a policy of permanent neutrality since 1815 and stayed out of both world wars. The others were involved in wars or alliances.

7. Which statement correctly separates arms control from disarmament?

  1. A
    Arms control is always voluntary and never agreed by treaty, whereas disarmament is imposed by force on the losers of wars
  2. B
    Arms control applies only to nuclear weapons, whereas disarmament applies to every kind of weapon, including conventional arms
  3. C
    Disarmament applies only to naval forces and ships, whereas arms control applies only to land forces and aircraft
  4. D
    Arms control seeks to regulate and limit weapons to keep stability, while disarmament seeks to reduce or abolish them
Show answer

Answer: D. Arms control accepts that states keep weapons but manages numbers and risks. Disarmament means reducing or eliminating them.

8. The SALT negotiations of the 1970s were between

  1. A
    the United States and the Soviet Union
  2. B
    the United States and China
  3. C
    Britain and France
  4. D
    NATO and the Non-Aligned Movement
Show answer

Answer: A. SALT stands for Strategic Arms Limitation Talks and was a bilateral process between the two superpowers.

9. Direct meetings between heads of state or government to settle important issues are called

  1. A
    shuttle diplomacy
  2. B
    consular diplomacy
  3. C
    summit diplomacy
  4. D
    track-two diplomacy
Show answer

Answer: C. Summit diplomacy is conducted at the highest level. Shuttle diplomacy is a mediator travelling between capitals.

10. Which policy is the standard example of appeasement?

  1. A
    Britain and France accepting Hitler's demands at Munich in 1938
  2. B
    The Marshall Plan of 1947, which gave economic aid to Europe
  3. C
    The Truman Doctrine of 1947, which pledged support to Greece and Turkey
  4. D
    The SALT talks of the 1970s, which limited strategic weapons
Show answer

Answer: A. At Munich the two powers allowed Germany to take the Sudetenland in the hope of avoiding war. Appeasement means conceding demands to avoid conflict.

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Security, conflict and diplomacy: questions students ask

How many Security, conflict and diplomacy MCQs are there?

46, each with the answer and a short explanation, across 3 topics: Balance of power, alliances and collective security, Nuclear politics and arms control, War, terrorism, conflict resolution and diplomacy. Every chapter test draws ten of them, so you can take it many times.

Is the CSS International Relations chapter 3 test free?

Yes. The test, the answers and the explanations are free and need no sign-up. Sign in only if you want your scores kept across devices.

How is the chapter test marked?

The moment you press Finish: your score, the right answer and an explanation for every question, and the ones you got wrong saved in My mistakes to retry.

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