The correct answer is: E. ended, accepted.
A cease-fire is a temporary cessation of hostilities between two or more warring parties. It is typically agreed upon through negotiation or mediation, and is intended to provide a period of time for the parties to resolve their differences peacefully.
If a cease-fire proposal is accepted bilaterally, it means that both parties have agreed to the terms of the proposal. This would indicate that the war is over, as the parties have agreed to stop fighting.
The other options are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the situation. Option A, “receded, exchanged,” is incorrect because it suggests that the war ended gradually. Option B, “started, prepared,” is incorrect because it suggests that the war began after the cease-fire proposal was accepted. Option C, “began, thwarted,” is incorrect because it suggests that the war began but was then stopped by the cease-fire proposal. Option D, “extended, mitigated,” is incorrect because it suggests that the war continued but was then made less severe by the cease-fire proposal.