单选题 The concept of a loyal opposition—the ______ of modern democracy—rarely prevails and, much more frequently, opposition is equated with treason and ruthlessly suppressed.

A、 loop
B、 essence
C、 equivalent
D、 velocity

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】[解析] 本题空格处是说现代民主的本质。B项essence“本质”符合题意。其他3项loop“循环”；equivalent“等价物”；velocity“速度，速率”都不正确。