Final answer:
During the Cold War, the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. engaged in intense competition through propaganda, proxy wars, and a nuclear arms race. They used these means to try to prove their superiority without direct military confrontation, affecting global politics and society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The U.S. and the U.S.S.R. competed during the Cold War in a variety of ways, including propaganda campaigns, engaging in proxy wars, and participating in a nuclear arms race.
Propaganda played a significant role, with each side attempting to show its lifestyle and political ideology as superior. The U.S. emphasized the virtues of capitalism and democracy, while the U.S.S.R. focused on its population's productivity and the idea of a classless society.
Proxy wars were another arena of competition, where conflicts like the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Soviet-Afghan War saw both superpowers backing opposing sides, further escalating global tensions.
The nuclear arms race was perhaps the most dangerous aspect of the Cold War, with both nations amassing vast arsenals of nuclear weapons that had the potential to cause catastrophic damage worldwide. This competition also spurred the race for technological advancement, most notably in space exploration through the Space Race.
The answer to the student's question is d. All of the above.