Concept:The correct word is one that means a cause of ruin or destruction to a country.Explanation:The word "bane" means something that brings distress, ruin, or destruction.It fits a sentence that describes something capable of ruining or destroying a country."Venom" refers to poison, "disaster" is an unexpected catastrophe, and "backbone" means strength or support.None of these express the sense of an ongoing destructive force as accurately as "bane".Answer:B. bane