PART A: Which TWO of the following statements best describe the central ideas of the text? A. Napoleon is a universally praised and important figure in Western history.
B. Following the political turmoil and violence of the French Revolution, the last thing France needed was a new dictator.
C. While Napoleon as a subject is controversial, most agree that his code represents the height of his legacy and achievements.
D. Though the invasion of Russia ended his career, Napoleon’s fatal mistake was the attempt to invade France’s long-time enemy, Great Britain. E. Despite his failed attempts in battle and conquest, Napoleon is nevertheless generally considered a military genius, one with a ruthless drive to build an empire. F. Napoleon created greater harmony in Europe by forcing his enemies to unite against him, bringing on an age of prosperity and peace.

“dear sir: it is with great reluctance, i trouble you on a subject, which does not fall within your province; but it is a subject that occasions me more distress, than i have felt, since the commencement of the war; and which loudly demands the most zealous exertions of every person of weight and authority, who is interested in the success of our affairs. i mean the present dreadful situation of the army for want of provisions, and the miserable prospects before us, with respect to futurity. it is more alarming than you will probably conceive, for, to form a just idea, it were necessary to be on the spot. for some days past, there has been little less, than a famine in camp. a part of the army has been a week, without any kind of flesh, and the rest for three or four days. naked and starving as they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery, that they have not been ere this excited by their sufferings, to a general mutiny or dispersion. strong symptoms, however, discontent have appeared in particular instances; and nothing but the most acitive efforts every where can long avert so shocking a catastrophe.” what’s the central idea?