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CHINA has long _____ between the urge to enrich its elite with foreign knowledge and the fear that such openness might undermine traditional values.

1. wavered
2. fluctuated
3. oscillated
4. vacillated

Correct answer: oscillated

Solution

'Oscillated between X and Y' is the most precise idiom for regular movement between two opposite poles (urge for openness vs. fear of change). While 'wavered' and 'vacillated' also mean going back and forth, 'oscillated' captures the systematic, pendular quality described. Source: oscillated.

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