This table shows the numbers of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents in the 112th session of the U.S. Congress in 2011.
Assuming that the majority of senators and representatives voted along party lines, which conclusion about the U.S. government in 2011 does the table support?
- A. The party that passed more legislation could be anticipated.
- B. The party that would win the next presidential election could be predicted.
- C. Party divisions were a challenge to the legislative process.
- D. Party affiliations are a requirement for congressional membership.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The data suggests that party divisions significantly impacted the legislative process in 2011, indicating that partisan alignment often hindered bipartisan cooperation. Option A incorrectly implies that the quantity of legislation passed directly correlates with party strength, which is not supported by the information. Option B assumes a direct link between legislative success and electoral outcomes, which cannot be inferred from party voting patterns alone. Option D misrepresents the nature of congressional membership, as party affiliation is not a formal requirement but rather a common practice among members.
The data suggests that party divisions significantly impacted the legislative process in 2011, indicating that partisan alignment often hindered bipartisan cooperation. Option A incorrectly implies that the quantity of legislation passed directly correlates with party strength, which is not supported by the information. Option B assumes a direct link between legislative success and electoral outcomes, which cannot be inferred from party voting patterns alone. Option D misrepresents the nature of congressional membership, as party affiliation is not a formal requirement but rather a common practice among members.
Other Related Questions
Which sentence from the passage provides evidence that the Veterans Administration was involved in the development of suburban communities?
- A. "Men returned home from military service, got married, and started families." (paragraph 1)
- B. "Moreover, a separate government program made low-interest mortgage loans available to returning military personnel." (paragraph 4)
- C. "Even so, the success of Levittown depended not only on the efficiency of the Levitt brothers' process but also on the Federal Housing Administration, which guaranteed bank loans to builders." (paragraph 4)
- D. "William and his brother Alfred first gained experience in assembly-line techniques while building government housing for defense workers during World War II." (paragraph 2)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B clearly highlights the involvement of the Veterans Administration by mentioning a specific government program that provided low-interest mortgage loans to returning military personnel. This directly links the agency's actions to the development of suburban communities, as affordable housing financing is crucial for homeownership. Option A discusses the general trend of returning veterans starting families but does not specifically reference the Veterans Administration's role. Option C mentions the Federal Housing Administration, not the Veterans Administration, which makes it irrelevant to the question. Option D focuses on the Levitt brothers’ prior experience and does not address the Veterans Administration's involvement in suburban development.
Option B clearly highlights the involvement of the Veterans Administration by mentioning a specific government program that provided low-interest mortgage loans to returning military personnel. This directly links the agency's actions to the development of suburban communities, as affordable housing financing is crucial for homeownership. Option A discusses the general trend of returning veterans starting families but does not specifically reference the Veterans Administration's role. Option C mentions the Federal Housing Administration, not the Veterans Administration, which makes it irrelevant to the question. Option D focuses on the Levitt brothers’ prior experience and does not address the Veterans Administration's involvement in suburban development.
Which statement from the excerpts is a fact?
- A. "When people blame the current crisis on the free market, they are making a grave intellectual error." (paragraph 3)
- B. "... we ultimately included a provision in the Affordable Care Act that people who can afford to buy health insurance should take the responsibility to do so." (paragraph 7)
- C. "Like other areas of the economy where the federal government wields its heavy hand, health care is overregulated and in need of serious market reforms." (paragraph 2)
- D. "... [T]oday's decision was a victory for people all over this country whose lives will be more secure because of this law and the Supreme Court's decision to uphold it." (paragraph 5)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B presents a factual statement regarding the Affordable Care Act, specifically mentioning a provision that mandates individuals who can afford health insurance to take responsibility for purchasing it. This is a verifiable aspect of the legislation. In contrast, Option A expresses an opinion about blaming the free market, which is subjective and open to interpretation. Option C also conveys a viewpoint on government regulation and reform needs, lacking objective verification. Lastly, Option D describes a perceived outcome of a decision, reflecting an opinion on its impact rather than presenting a fact. Thus, only Option B stands as an objective statement grounded in legislation.
Option B presents a factual statement regarding the Affordable Care Act, specifically mentioning a provision that mandates individuals who can afford health insurance to take responsibility for purchasing it. This is a verifiable aspect of the legislation. In contrast, Option A expresses an opinion about blaming the free market, which is subjective and open to interpretation. Option C also conveys a viewpoint on government regulation and reform needs, lacking objective verification. Lastly, Option D describes a perceived outcome of a decision, reflecting an opinion on its impact rather than presenting a fact. Thus, only Option B stands as an objective statement grounded in legislation.
Which statement from the passage is an opinion?
- A. "Even so, the success of Levittown depended not only on the efficiency of the Levitt brothers' process but also on the Federal Housing Administration" (paragraph 4)
- B. "Shortly after World War II, many changes led to the development of suburbs." (paragraph 1)
- C. "This, much of the baby-boom generation had well-constructed homes in which to grow up." (paragraph 4)
- D. "With this financing in place, more homes could be built and more veterans could afford to buy them." (paragraph 4)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C expresses a subjective view about the quality of homes available to the baby-boom generation, indicating an opinion that these homes were "well-constructed." This characterization is not a factual statement and reflects a personal judgment. In contrast, Option A presents a factual statement about the factors contributing to Levittown's success, grounded in historical context. Option B provides a straightforward observation regarding the timeline of suburban development, without personal interpretation. Option D outlines a factual cause-and-effect relationship regarding financing and home construction, remaining objective. Thus, only Option C conveys a personal opinion.
Option C expresses a subjective view about the quality of homes available to the baby-boom generation, indicating an opinion that these homes were "well-constructed." This characterization is not a factual statement and reflects a personal judgment. In contrast, Option A presents a factual statement about the factors contributing to Levittown's success, grounded in historical context. Option B provides a straightforward observation regarding the timeline of suburban development, without personal interpretation. Option D outlines a factual cause-and-effect relationship regarding financing and home construction, remaining objective. Thus, only Option C conveys a personal opinion.
Which statement is supported by both the table and the map?
- A. Differences in the total populations of the states led to political differences between the North and the South.
- B. Differences among the economies of the states contributed to political differences between the North and the South.
- C. Political differences between the North and the South reflected differences in education among the states.
- D. Political differences between the North and the South reflected differences in the standards of living in the states.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B is supported by both the table and the map, as they illustrate how varying economic structures—such as agriculture in the South versus industrialization in the North—contributed to distinct political ideologies and policies. Option A incorrectly attributes political differences solely to population size, overlooking the economic factors at play. Option C suggests education differences as the main cause, which is not evident in the provided data. Option D implies that living standards were the primary influence, but the economic context is more directly linked to the political divide. Thus, B effectively encapsulates the relationship between economy and political differences.
Option B is supported by both the table and the map, as they illustrate how varying economic structures—such as agriculture in the South versus industrialization in the North—contributed to distinct political ideologies and policies. Option A incorrectly attributes political differences solely to population size, overlooking the economic factors at play. Option C suggests education differences as the main cause, which is not evident in the provided data. Option D implies that living standards were the primary influence, but the economic context is more directly linked to the political divide. Thus, B effectively encapsulates the relationship between economy and political differences.