The first excerpt is from the 1944 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Korematsu v. United States.
To cast this case into outlines of racial prejudice, without reference to the real military dangers which were presented, merely confuses the issue. Korematsu was not excluded from the Military Area because of hostility to him or his race. He was excluded because we are at war with the Japanese Empire, because the properly constituted military authorities feared an invasion of our West Coast and felt constrained to take proper security measures.... There was evidence of disloyalty on the part of some, the military authorities considered that the need for action was great, and time was short. We cannot-by availing ourselves of the calm perspective of hindsight-now say that, at that time, these actions were unjustified.
The second excerpt is from Justice Frank Murphy's dissent in the Korematsu case.
I dissent, therefore, from this legalization of racism. Racial discrimination in any form and in any degree has no justifiable part whatever in our democratic way of life. It is unattractive in any setting, but it is utterly revolting among a free people who have embraced the principles set forth in the Constitution of the United States. All residents of this nation are kin in some way by blood or culture to a foreign land. Yet they are primarily and necessarily a part of the new and distinct civilization of the United States. They must, accordingly, be treated at all times as the heirs of the American experiment, and as entitled to all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.
How does the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling differ from Justice Murphy's dissent?
- A. Only Justice Murphy's dissent acknowledged the dangers to the United States of having citizens from foreign lands.
- B. Only the Court's ruling acknowledged that the actions of fearful U.S. authorities can endanger the civil rights of citizens.
- C. Only the Court's ruling contended that Korematsu was ordered held in an internment camp because he was disloyal to the United States during time of war.
- D. Only Justice Murphy's dissent contended that U.S. internment camps were a clear-cut example of racial prejudice.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Justice Murphy's dissent emphasized that the internment camps represented blatant racial prejudice, highlighting the unjust targeting of Japanese Americans based solely on their ethnicity. This perspective contrasts sharply with the majority opinion, which focused on national security concerns without addressing the racial implications. Option A is incorrect as both perspectives recognize the potential dangers of foreign nationals, albeit in different contexts. Option B misrepresents the majority's stance, which did not explicitly acknowledge civil rights violations. Option C inaccurately simplifies the Court's ruling, which did not solely attribute internment to disloyalty.
Justice Murphy's dissent emphasized that the internment camps represented blatant racial prejudice, highlighting the unjust targeting of Japanese Americans based solely on their ethnicity. This perspective contrasts sharply with the majority opinion, which focused on national security concerns without addressing the racial implications. Option A is incorrect as both perspectives recognize the potential dangers of foreign nationals, albeit in different contexts. Option B misrepresents the majority's stance, which did not explicitly acknowledge civil rights violations. Option C inaccurately simplifies the Court's ruling, which did not solely attribute internment to disloyalty.
Other Related Questions
Which statement from the passage is an opinion?
- A. "The ill-advised rush to extract new discoveries of shale oil and natural gas is a case in point."
- B. "...if the result is polluted water and ghost towns, it is not a sustainable model."
- C. “‘Sustainability' means using natural resources responsibly so that they are available to future generations."
- D. "... to achieve sustainability a business will not view profit only in terms of dollars."
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A expresses a subjective viewpoint about the extraction of shale oil and natural gas, labeling it as "ill-advised." This indicates a personal judgment rather than an objective fact. In contrast, Option B presents a consequence of unsustainable practices, framing it as a logical outcome rather than an opinion. Option C defines "sustainability" in a factual manner, outlining its meaning without personal bias. Lastly, Option D describes a business approach towards sustainability, focusing on a principle rather than expressing a personal belief. Thus, A stands out as the only statement rooted in opinion.
Option A expresses a subjective viewpoint about the extraction of shale oil and natural gas, labeling it as "ill-advised." This indicates a personal judgment rather than an objective fact. In contrast, Option B presents a consequence of unsustainable practices, framing it as a logical outcome rather than an opinion. Option C defines "sustainability" in a factual manner, outlining its meaning without personal bias. Lastly, Option D describes a business approach towards sustainability, focusing on a principle rather than expressing a personal belief. Thus, A stands out as the only statement rooted in opinion.
The newspaper writer's opinion that
- A. slavery should have been preserved
- B. Jim Crow laws should have been stopped
- C. Jim Crow laws benefited the south
- D. Jim Crow laws had benefited the South constitutional changes were successful
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The opinion that Jim Crow laws benefited the South reflects a perspective that views these discriminatory laws as advantageous for maintaining social order and economic benefits for white populations, despite their oppressive nature. Option A suggests a support for slavery, which is widely condemned and not a mainstream opinion. Option B advocates for the cessation of Jim Crow laws, opposing the notion that they were beneficial. Option D incorrectly implies that constitutional changes related to Jim Crow were successful, overlooking the ongoing struggles for civil rights and equality. Thus, option C captures a historically inaccurate yet prevalent viewpoint of the time.
The opinion that Jim Crow laws benefited the South reflects a perspective that views these discriminatory laws as advantageous for maintaining social order and economic benefits for white populations, despite their oppressive nature. Option A suggests a support for slavery, which is widely condemned and not a mainstream opinion. Option B advocates for the cessation of Jim Crow laws, opposing the notion that they were beneficial. Option D incorrectly implies that constitutional changes related to Jim Crow were successful, overlooking the ongoing struggles for civil rights and equality. Thus, option C captures a historically inaccurate yet prevalent viewpoint of the time.
What is the meaning of the word entrenched as used in this excerpt?
- A. in control
- B. strongly defended
- C. established and unlikely to change
- D. surrounded and unable to move
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The term "entrenched" conveys the idea of something that is firmly established and resistant to change, aligning with option C. This suggests a deep-rooted nature, often implying that it has become a significant part of a system or belief. Option A, "in control," does not capture the essence of being deeply embedded or resistant to alteration. Option B, "strongly defended," implies a protective stance rather than a state of being firmly established. Option D, "surrounded and unable to move," suggests physical confinement rather than the figurative sense of being firmly set in place.
The term "entrenched" conveys the idea of something that is firmly established and resistant to change, aligning with option C. This suggests a deep-rooted nature, often implying that it has become a significant part of a system or belief. Option A, "in control," does not capture the essence of being deeply embedded or resistant to alteration. Option B, "strongly defended," implies a protective stance rather than a state of being firmly established. Option D, "surrounded and unable to move," suggests physical confinement rather than the figurative sense of being firmly set in place.
Which basic assumption is only behind the speech?
- A. Freedom of speech must be protected in schools.
- B. Citizens can express their views through symbols.
- C. Citizens should be able to express their views on issues.
- D. Freedom of speech has some restrictions
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The assumption that freedom of speech has some restrictions is solely focused on the speech itself, acknowledging that while individuals have the right to express themselves, this right is not absolute. Option A discusses the protection of speech specifically in schools, which implies a context rather than the nature of speech itself. Option B refers to expression through symbols, indicating non-verbal communication, thus not limited to speech. Option C emphasizes the ability to express views on issues broadly, again not confined to speech alone. Each of these options extends beyond the core principle of speech restrictions.
The assumption that freedom of speech has some restrictions is solely focused on the speech itself, acknowledging that while individuals have the right to express themselves, this right is not absolute. Option A discusses the protection of speech specifically in schools, which implies a context rather than the nature of speech itself. Option B refers to expression through symbols, indicating non-verbal communication, thus not limited to speech. Option C emphasizes the ability to express views on issues broadly, again not confined to speech alone. Each of these options extends beyond the core principle of speech restrictions.