This excerpt is from a 2002 document published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The realigning President proposes to create a new Department of Homeland Security... by largely transforming and Is to protect the current confusing patchwork of government activities into a single department whose primary mission our homeland....
History... teaches us that new challenges require new organizational structures.
For example, prior to 1945, America's armed forces were inefficiently structured with separate War and Navy Departments and disconnected intelligence units. There were no formal mechanisms for.cooperation..
In December 1945, only months after America's decisive victory in World War II,... President Truman declared, "It Is now time... to provide for the future the soundest, most effective and most economical kind of structure for our armed forces...."
President Truman's goals were achieved with the National Security Act of 1947 and subsequent amendments... The legislation consolidated the separate military Departments Into the Department of Defense..., established a Central Intelligence Agency to coordinate all foreign intelligence collection and analysis, and created the National Security Council in the White House to coordinate all foreign and defense policy efforts.
Based on the excerpt, which change was a result of the National Security Act of 1947?
- A. The Central Intelligence Agency replaced the War Department.
- B. The National Security Council gained control over the Department of Defense.
- C. The Department of Homeland Security replaced the War Department.
- D. The Department of the Navy became part of the Department of Defense.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The National Security Act of 1947 reorganized the U.S. military and intelligence community. Option D accurately reflects that the Department of the Navy became part of the newly established Department of Defense, streamlining military operations. Option A is incorrect; the CIA was created but did not replace the War Department directly. Option B is misleading; while the National Security Council was established, it does not control the Department of Defense. Option C is factually incorrect, as the Department of Homeland Security was created later, in 2003, not as a result of the 1947 Act.
The National Security Act of 1947 reorganized the U.S. military and intelligence community. Option D accurately reflects that the Department of the Navy became part of the newly established Department of Defense, streamlining military operations. Option A is incorrect; the CIA was created but did not replace the War Department directly. Option B is misleading; while the National Security Council was established, it does not control the Department of Defense. Option C is factually incorrect, as the Department of Homeland Security was created later, in 2003, not as a result of the 1947 Act.
Other Related Questions
Based on the excerpts, which speaker would agree with each statement below? Drag each statement into the box labeled with that speaker's name. If neither would agree with a statement, drag it to the box labeled "Neither."
- A. Congress should spend money public education.
- B. Schools should meet federal education guidelines.
- C. Parents should hold public schools accountable.
- D. Local districts should set school guidelines.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer:
Speaker A likely supports the idea that Congress should spend money on public education, as this aligns with a belief in federal investment in education for equitable access. Speaker B would agree that schools should meet federal education guidelines, as this emphasizes the importance of uniform standards for educational quality and accountability. Speaker C advocates for parental accountability in public schools, reflecting the belief that parents play a vital role in monitoring and improving educational outcomes. Speaker D likely supports the idea that local districts should set school guidelines, as this allows for tailored approaches that reflect community needs and values. If neither speaker aligns with a statement, it belongs in the "Neither" category.
Speaker A likely supports the idea that Congress should spend money on public education, as this aligns with a belief in federal investment in education for equitable access. Speaker B would agree that schools should meet federal education guidelines, as this emphasizes the importance of uniform standards for educational quality and accountability. Speaker C advocates for parental accountability in public schools, reflecting the belief that parents play a vital role in monitoring and improving educational outcomes. Speaker D likely supports the idea that local districts should set school guidelines, as this allows for tailored approaches that reflect community needs and values. If neither speaker aligns with a statement, it belongs in the "Neither" category.
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.
Complete the U.S. System of Federalism chart based on information from the passage. Click on the title below you want to select and drag it into the top of each column in the chart.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer:
**Correct answer:** Federal Government **Rationale:** The Federal Government is responsible for national issues such as defense, immigration, and foreign policy, which distinguishes it from state governments. State Governments handle local matters like education and transportation, focusing on regional needs. The option "Local Government" refers to municipal or county levels, which operate under the authority of the state and do not encompass federal responsibilities. Therefore, the Federal Government is accurately placed at the top of the federalism chart, while the other options misrepresent the hierarchy and scope of governance in the U.S. system.
**Correct answer:** Federal Government **Rationale:** The Federal Government is responsible for national issues such as defense, immigration, and foreign policy, which distinguishes it from state governments. State Governments handle local matters like education and transportation, focusing on regional needs. The option "Local Government" refers to municipal or county levels, which operate under the authority of the state and do not encompass federal responsibilities. Therefore, the Federal Government is accurately placed at the top of the federalism chart, while the other options misrepresent the hierarchy and scope of governance in the U.S. system.
Based on the information in this passage, which feature of ancient Roman government most influenced the Founders in framing the U.S. Constitution?
- A. A popularly elected representative vetoed legislation.
- B. Magistrates proposed laws.
- C. A system of checks and balances limited power.
- D. Senators elected the consuls.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The feature that most influenced the Founders in framing the U.S. Constitution is the system of checks and balances, which limited the power of government branches to prevent tyranny. This principle is evident in the U.S. system, where each branch can check the others, ensuring a balance of power. Option A is incorrect because while representatives play a role in legislation, the emphasis on a veto by a popularly elected official is not a defining characteristic of Roman governance. Option B, proposing laws by magistrates, describes a function of government but does not reflect the broader concept of power limitation. Option D incorrectly focuses on the election of consuls, which is less relevant to the Founders' emphasis on checks and balances.
The feature that most influenced the Founders in framing the U.S. Constitution is the system of checks and balances, which limited the power of government branches to prevent tyranny. This principle is evident in the U.S. system, where each branch can check the others, ensuring a balance of power. Option A is incorrect because while representatives play a role in legislation, the emphasis on a veto by a popularly elected official is not a defining characteristic of Roman governance. Option B, proposing laws by magistrates, describes a function of government but does not reflect the broader concept of power limitation. Option D incorrectly focuses on the election of consuls, which is less relevant to the Founders' emphasis on checks and balances.