This excerpt is from Federalist No. 22, published in 1787. It has been paraphrased.
A legislative rule requiring more than a majority to pass a bill gives the minority more power than the majority. The effect of this practice is the opposite of what is expected in theory. Requiring a unanimous vote or more than a majority vote is meant to provide a safeguard against oppression. But in reality it destroys the thoughtful deliberation of a respectable majority and replaces it with the whims and trickery of a small but unruly gang.
In times of national emergency, the goodness, badness, weakness, and strength of the government is supremely important. The government must in one way or another take action. If a majority resolution can be blocked by a stubborn minority, it will be necessary for the majority to conform to the minority for action to occur. The wishes of the smaller group will override the wishes of the larger group and this will create resentment. In these circumstances, expect constant scheming, trickery, and tiresome delays, resulting in disgraceful deals that violate the public good.
Which quotation from the excerpt reveals the author's bias about the relationship between the rule of the majority and the rights of the minority?
- A. "The wishes of the smaller group will override the wishes of the larger group and this will create resentment."
- B. "Requiring a unanimous vote or more than a majority vote is meant to provide a safeguard against oppression."
- C. "In these circumstances, expect constant scheming, trickery, and tiresome delays, resulting in disgraceful deals that violate the public good."
- D. "In times of national emergency, the goodness, badness, weakness, and strength of the government is supremely important."
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C highlights the author's bias by suggesting that the majority's decisions can lead to unethical behavior that undermines public welfare. This reveals a concern for minority rights, indicating that the author believes majority rule may result in negative consequences for those not in power. Option A misrepresents the author's view, as it suggests that the smaller group's wishes will always be overridden, which does not directly reflect bias against majority rule. Option B focuses on safeguards against oppression, which does not convey bias but rather a protective measure. Option D addresses the government's performance during emergencies but fails to connect to the relationship between majority rule and minority rights, missing the core issue of bias.
Option C highlights the author's bias by suggesting that the majority's decisions can lead to unethical behavior that undermines public welfare. This reveals a concern for minority rights, indicating that the author believes majority rule may result in negative consequences for those not in power. Option A misrepresents the author's view, as it suggests that the smaller group's wishes will always be overridden, which does not directly reflect bias against majority rule. Option B focuses on safeguards against oppression, which does not convey bias but rather a protective measure. Option D addresses the government's performance during emergencies but fails to connect to the relationship between majority rule and minority rights, missing the core issue of bias.
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.
Which statement is based on the text?
- A. Individuals spend their income in factor markets.
- B. Entrepreneurs profit from participation in product markets.
- C. Individuals sell their labor in factor markets.
- D. Resources are traded in product markets.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C accurately reflects the concept that individuals offer their labor in factor markets, where resources like labor are exchanged for wages. This aligns with economic principles regarding labor supply. Option A is incorrect since individuals do not spend income in factor markets; rather, they purchase goods and services in product markets. Option B misrepresents the role of entrepreneurs, who primarily earn profits through innovation and sales in product markets, not simply from participation. Option D is also misleading, as resources are exchanged in factor markets, while product markets focus on the sale of finished goods and services.
Option C accurately reflects the concept that individuals offer their labor in factor markets, where resources like labor are exchanged for wages. This aligns with economic principles regarding labor supply. Option A is incorrect since individuals do not spend income in factor markets; rather, they purchase goods and services in product markets. Option B misrepresents the role of entrepreneurs, who primarily earn profits through innovation and sales in product markets, not simply from participation. Option D is also misleading, as resources are exchanged in factor markets, while product markets focus on the sale of finished goods and services.
Which statement identifies the purpose of President Nixon's message?
- A. to convince Congress that technological advancement and population growth must be slowed to protect the environment
- B. to convince Congress that industrial polluters of the air and water should not pay for cleaning the environment
- C. to convince Congress that it must take part in action to address human damage to the environment
- D. to convince Congress that there should be no benefits for businesses that pollute the environment
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
President Nixon's message aimed to mobilize Congress to actively engage in addressing environmental degradation caused by human activities. This focus on collective action underscores the urgency of legislative involvement in environmental protection. Option A misinterprets the goal, as Nixon did not advocate for slowing technological advancement but rather for responsible management. Option B inaccurately suggests that he supported industrial polluters avoiding responsibility, which contradicts his environmental stance. Option D implies a complete lack of support for businesses, neglecting the balanced approach Nixon promoted towards regulatory measures and economic growth.
President Nixon's message aimed to mobilize Congress to actively engage in addressing environmental degradation caused by human activities. This focus on collective action underscores the urgency of legislative involvement in environmental protection. Option A misinterprets the goal, as Nixon did not advocate for slowing technological advancement but rather for responsible management. Option B inaccurately suggests that he supported industrial polluters avoiding responsibility, which contradicts his environmental stance. Option D implies a complete lack of support for businesses, neglecting the balanced approach Nixon promoted towards regulatory measures and economic growth.
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.