In the passage about Greek mythology and Lycurgus, choose the verb that best completes the clause it is said that Lycurgus, the ruler of Sparta, _________ a promise from his subjects.

Introduction / Context:
This passage completion question refers to a historical and mythological context involving Lycurgus, the lawgiver of Sparta. The sentence describes how he obtained a promise from his people. You are asked to choose the verb that best expresses the idea of drawing out or obtaining a promise through request or influence. The context is formal and narrative, so the verb must be both semantically accurate and stylistically appropriate.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The relevant clause is it is said that Lycurgus, the ruler of Sparta, blank a promise from his blank.

The options given are elicited, derived, evinced, and attested.

The continuation of the sentence mentions a promise assuring him of the immutability of his laws till he returned from a journey.

We assume that Lycurgus asked for or secured this promise from his people.

Concept / Approach:
The verb elicit means to draw out or bring forth something such as a response, information, or a promise from someone, usually by discussion, questioning, or persuasion. This matches the idea that Lycurgus obtained a promise from his subjects. Derived means obtained from a source by reasoning or transformation, often used for information, formulas, or words, not promises from people. Evinced means showed clearly or revealed, usually referring to feelings or qualities, not the act of obtaining a promise. Attested means provided evidence of or certified something, which again does not fit the context of drawing a promise out of someone. Therefore, elicited is the most appropriate choice.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify what Lycurgus is doing in the myth: he is getting a promise from his people regarding his laws. Step 2: Recall that elicit is commonly used with words such as promise, response, confession, and information, meaning to draw them out of someone. Step 3: Evaluate derived and note that it usually attaches to things like energy, words, or ideas, not to promises from a group of people. Step 4: Consider evinced, which is used for showing a feeling or quality, such as evinced courage, rather than for obtaining a commitment. Step 5: Examine attested, which means to certify or bear witness to something, and see that it is inappropriate for the act of securing a promise.

Verification / Alternative check:
Insert each option into the sentence and read it as part of the passage. It is said that Lycurgus, the ruler of Sparta, elicited a promise from his subjects sounds natural and clearly indicates that he drew this promise out of them. Using derived would give derived a promise from his subjects, which sounds out of place because promises are not derived in this way. Evinced a promise from his subjects is incorrect because one evinces qualities, not promises. Attested a promise from his subjects is also unnatural; the subjects could have attested to a fact, but Lycurgus would not attested a promise. Elicited is widely used in historical and political writing to describe leaders drawing agreements or commitments from people, confirming its correctness here.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B derived is associated with obtaining something from an original source by transformation or reasoning, not with persuading people to give a promise. Option C evinced means showed clearly and is used with emotions or attitudes; it does not take promise as a natural object. Option D attested means certified or gave evidence of something and is not used in the sense of extracting a promise from others.

Common Pitfalls:
Because all four options are relatively formal verbs, students may be tempted to pick one based on sound or general impression rather than precise meaning. Some candidates also assume that any difficult word will fit a formal passage, which is not a safe strategy. A better approach is to always recall a simple definition or an example sentence for each option and test it with the given object, in this case a promise. Noticing standard pairings like elicit a promise or elicit a response will help you avoid confusion and choose more confidently.

Final Answer:
elicited