This passage provides information about the Roman Republic.
The Roman Republic was founded in 509 BCE and lasted for almost 500 years. The pillars of the republic were the consuls and magistrates, the Senate, and the Popular Assemblies.
Two leaders (called consuls) were elected by the Senate, and they served for one year each. Each consul could veto acts of the other. They were responsible for the conduct of war, finances, and the judiciary. Although powerful, the consuls governed with the advice of the Senate. The magistrates served as public officials in the executive branch of the government and were elected to terms with defined limits.
The Senate consisted of heads of clans and former consuls, and members served for life. Besides electing and advising consuls, the Senate's role was to enact "decrees of the Senate." These decrees did not have formal authority but were often considered in legal cases.
The common people also formed the Popular Assemblies, where they approved laws proposed by magistrates. The common people in the assemblies voted for tribunes who had the power to support or reject laws, senatorial decrees, and election results. Tribunes served one-year terms.
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.
Other Related Questions
What is the meaning of confederation in this passage?
- A. a government in which the whole population of a country votes to make laws for the people
- B. a political union in which power is divided between a strong central authority and the various other political units
- C. a political union in which the component units retain significant independence from the central government
- D. a government in which people vote to elect representatives who make laws for the people
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Confederation refers to a political union where individual components maintain considerable autonomy while cooperating for mutual benefit. Option C accurately captures this definition, emphasizing the independence of component units from the central authority. Option A describes a direct democracy, which is not aligned with the concept of confederation. Option B suggests a balance of power that leans towards a strong central authority, contradicting the essence of a confederation. Option D outlines a representative democracy, which does not inherently involve the independence of component units, thus misrepresenting the nature of a confederation.
Confederation refers to a political union where individual components maintain considerable autonomy while cooperating for mutual benefit. Option C accurately captures this definition, emphasizing the independence of component units from the central authority. Option A describes a direct democracy, which is not aligned with the concept of confederation. Option B suggests a balance of power that leans towards a strong central authority, contradicting the essence of a confederation. Option D outlines a representative democracy, which does not inherently involve the independence of component units, thus misrepresenting the nature of a confederation.
Which statement is supported by the diagrams?
- A. Only the vice president and the president pro tempore of the Senate serve in two branches.
- B. Only officials from the executive and legislative branches are in the line of presidential succession.
- C. The order of presidential succession is determined by the members of the executive branch.
- D. The leaders of Congress are accountable to the members of the executive branch.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B accurately reflects the structure of presidential succession, which includes officials from both the executive and legislative branches, specifically the vice president and the leaders of Congress. Option A is misleading; while the vice president and president pro tempore serve in both branches, other officials in the line of succession also include members from the cabinet, which is part of the executive branch. Option C is incorrect as the order of succession is established by law, not determined solely by the executive branch members. Option D misrepresents accountability; Congress leaders are accountable to their constituents, not the executive branch.
Option B accurately reflects the structure of presidential succession, which includes officials from both the executive and legislative branches, specifically the vice president and the leaders of Congress. Option A is misleading; while the vice president and president pro tempore serve in both branches, other officials in the line of succession also include members from the cabinet, which is part of the executive branch. Option C is incorrect as the order of succession is established by law, not determined solely by the executive branch members. Option D misrepresents accountability; Congress leaders are accountable to their constituents, not the executive branch.
Which statement best explains the situation described in the paragraphs?
- A. Crude oil prices in 2014 encouraged U.S. families to buy less gasoline in 2015.
- B. Crude oil production levels have caused U.S. gasoline prices to fall.
- C. Greater crude oil reserves have caused the U.S. government to reduce gasoline prices.
- D. Lower crude oil production will cause U.S. gasoline prices to return to 2014 levels by 2016.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B accurately reflects the relationship between crude oil production levels and gasoline prices. Increased production typically leads to lower prices, as supply outstrips demand. Option A incorrectly suggests a direct correlation between crude oil prices in 2014 and gasoline purchases in 2015, neglecting the influence of production levels. Option C misrepresents the role of reserves; while greater reserves can impact prices, it is production levels that directly affect market prices. Option D speculates on future price increases due to lower production, which is uncertain and not directly supported by the information provided.
Option B accurately reflects the relationship between crude oil production levels and gasoline prices. Increased production typically leads to lower prices, as supply outstrips demand. Option A incorrectly suggests a direct correlation between crude oil prices in 2014 and gasoline purchases in 2015, neglecting the influence of production levels. Option C misrepresents the role of reserves; while greater reserves can impact prices, it is production levels that directly affect market prices. Option D speculates on future price increases due to lower production, which is uncertain and not directly supported by the information provided.
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.