Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
Sun Tzu says that ______ the enemy without battle requires greater skill than winning on the battlefield.

Correct option is B

The correct option to fill in the blank is (b) defeating.
Explanation: The phrase "requires greater skill" suggests that the verb following "that" should be in the gerund (-ing) form because it acts as a noun.
"Defeating" fits grammatically as a subject of the sentence, meaning "the act of overcoming the enemy."
Example: Defeating your fears is more challenging than avoiding them.
Explanation of other options:
· (a) defeated: Incorrect, as "defeated" is the past participle form and does not fit the structure.
· (c) in defeating: Incorrect, as "in" is unnecessary before "defeating."
· (d) defeat: Incorrect, as "defeat" (noun/verb) does not work in this context.