In the same passage on morality and politics, choose the word that best completes the sentence 'Politics is the _____ of expediency and need not always be _____.' for the blank 'Politics is the _____ of expediency.'

Introduction / Context:
This cloze test item continues the philosophical passage contrasting morality with politics. After stating that 'Morality is identified with ethics', the passage moves on to say 'Politics is the _____ of expediency and need not always be _____.' You must choose the word that fits the well known description of politics in terms of expediency and matches formal English usage in such discussions.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Fragment: 'Politics is the _____ of expediency and need not always be _____.'
- Options for the blank 'Politics is the _____ of expediency': 'art', 'collection', 'requirement', 'notion'.
- The passage is written in a philosophical style, contrasting morality (ethics) with politics (expediency).

Concept / Approach:
There is a familiar expression in political theory that describes politics as 'the art of expediency'. Here 'art' means practical skill in achieving goals, often by choosing what is convenient or advantageous rather than what is morally ideal. Saying 'politics is the art of expediency' fits this tradition and sounds natural in philosophical prose. The other options do not form standard or meaningful combinations: 'collection of expediency', 'requirement of expediency' and 'notion of expediency' all sound forced and do not capture the idea that politics is a practical skill in using expediency.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Understand the contrast: morality is tied to ethics and right or wrong, whereas politics is linked to expediency (what is practical or advantageous). Step 2: Think of common phrases: 'the art of war', 'the art of negotiation', 'the art of politics', where 'art' refers to practical skill and craft. Step 3: Insert 'art': 'Politics is the art of expediency' expresses that politics involves the practical skill of choosing what is expedient. Step 4: Test 'collection': 'Politics is the collection of expediency' does not make sense logically; politics is not a pile of expedient things. Step 5: Test 'requirement': 'Politics is the requirement of expediency' sounds unnatural and does not reflect standard usage. Step 6: Test 'notion': 'Politics is the notion of expediency' lacks clarity and does not express that politics is a practice or craft.

Verification / Alternative check:
Read the full sentence with 'art': 'Politics is the art of expediency and need not always be moral.' This aligns well with how political thinkers often speak of politics as the art of the possible or the art of compromise. Substituting 'collection', 'requirement' or 'notion' produces clumsy, unidiomatic sentences that would not appear in serious writing on this topic. Therefore, 'art' is the word that best maintains both meaning and style.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
'Collection' is wrong because it refers to a group of things and does not describe a practice, craft or discipline. 'Requirement' is wrong because politics is not itself a requirement of expediency; rather, it often uses expedient means. 'Notion' is wrong because it merely suggests an idea or concept and does not capture the sense of skillful practice which 'art' conveys in this philosophical context.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes overlook well known philosophical or political phrases and instead choose words that seem abstract, like 'notion' or 'requirement'. In cloze tests, it is important to think about common collocations and classic expressions. Phrases such as 'art of expediency' and 'art of the possible' are already established in political commentary, and recognising them allows you to pick the right option quickly.

Final Answer:
The correct word for the blank is art, giving the sentence 'Politics is the art of expediency and need not always be ...'.