Public opinion on the performance of a government is best measured by

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which method best measures public opinion on how a government is performing. The key word is "measured": we want the most reliable and representative way of finding out what citizens really think.

Step 2: Explain the concept Public opinion is the collective views of citizens on issues, policies, and government performance. It can be gauged through opinion polls, the media, protests, petitions, and elections. However, the most authoritative and quantifiable way is through voting, where every eligible citizen can express approval or disapproval.

Step 3: Evaluate each option

• A. Military strength: This shows a country's defence capability. It has nothing to do with citizens' views.
• B. General elections: Citizens vote to retain or remove a government. Votes are counted, so the result gives a measurable verdict on performance, and it covers the whole electorate.
• C. The mass media: The media can reflect and shape opinion, but they may be biased, owned by interest groups, or reach only part of the population. They inform opinion more than they measure it.
• D. Parliamentary debates: These show the views of legislators, not necessarily those of the general public.

Step 4: Answer General elections are the best measure because they give every eligible citizen a direct say, and the outcome shows whether the people approve of the government's performance.

Tip: When you see "best measures public opinion," think of voting (elections or referendums). The mass media shape or report opinion, but elections measure it.