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
How did the position expressed by President Johnson differ from the position expressed by Senator Russell?
- A. Only Senator Russell said that state governments were sufficiently protecting the rights of citizens.
- B. Only Senator Russell supported the federal government's intervention.
- C. Only President Johnson supported the state governments' rights to manage their own affairs.
- D. Only President Johnson believed that the federal government was authorized to intervene.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
President Johnson emphasized the need for federal intervention to protect citizens' rights, believing that state governments were often inadequate. In contrast, Senator Russell argued that state governments were effectively safeguarding those rights, reflecting a stance of local governance. Option B is incorrect because Senator Russell did not support federal intervention. Option C misrepresents Johnson’s position; he favored federal oversight rather than state autonomy. Option D inaccurately attributes the belief in federal authority solely to Johnson, as Russell did not share this view. Thus, the distinction lies in Russell's confidence in state governments versus Johnson's call for federal action.
President Johnson emphasized the need for federal intervention to protect citizens' rights, believing that state governments were often inadequate. In contrast, Senator Russell argued that state governments were effectively safeguarding those rights, reflecting a stance of local governance. Option B is incorrect because Senator Russell did not support federal intervention. Option C misrepresents Johnson’s position; he favored federal oversight rather than state autonomy. Option D inaccurately attributes the belief in federal authority solely to Johnson, as Russell did not share this view. Thus, the distinction lies in Russell's confidence in state governments versus Johnson's call for federal action.
Which statement from the excerpts provides evidence for the Inference that minority rights were not protected by the U.S. government as originally founded?
- A. "To the contrary, the government they devised was defective from the start, requiring several amendments, a civil war, and momentous social transformation to attain the system of constitutional government, and its respect for the individual freedoms and human rights, we hold as fundamental today."
- B. "In a very real sense, it was then, in 1787, that the Revolution truly began."
- C. "I do not believe that the meaning of the Constitution was forever 'fixed' at the Philadelphia Convention."
- D. "For it was with the writing of our Constitution, setting down the architecture of democratic government, that the noble sentiments and brave rhetoric of 1776 took on substance......"
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A highlights the inherent flaws in the original government structure, indicating that it required significant amendments and a civil war to address fundamental issues, including the protection of minority rights. This suggests that, from its inception, the government did not adequately safeguard these rights. Options B, C, and D, while relevant to the historical context, do not specifically address the inadequacies of minority rights protection. B focuses on the ongoing nature of the Revolution, C discusses the evolving interpretation of the Constitution, and D emphasizes the establishment of democratic principles without mentioning the lack of protections for minority rights.
Option A highlights the inherent flaws in the original government structure, indicating that it required significant amendments and a civil war to address fundamental issues, including the protection of minority rights. This suggests that, from its inception, the government did not adequately safeguard these rights. Options B, C, and D, while relevant to the historical context, do not specifically address the inadequacies of minority rights protection. B focuses on the ongoing nature of the Revolution, C discusses the evolving interpretation of the Constitution, and D emphasizes the establishment of democratic principles without mentioning the lack of protections for minority rights.
Which statement is correct about the change in racial and ethnic populations between 2000 and 2010?
- A. The Black or African American population had the greatest percentage of growth.
- B. The Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander population grew by a greater proportion than the Asian population.
- C. The White population experienced the slowest growth of all groups.
- D. The American Indian and Alaska Native population experienced almost no change.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B accurately reflects demographic trends, as the Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander population indeed saw a higher percentage increase compared to the Asian population during this period. Option A is incorrect; while the Black or African American population grew, it was not the greatest percentage increase among all racial groups. Option C misrepresents the data; although the White population's growth was slower compared to previous decades, it was not the slowest overall. Option D is misleading as well; the American Indian and Alaska Native population did experience some growth, albeit modest, rather than remaining unchanged.
Option B accurately reflects demographic trends, as the Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander population indeed saw a higher percentage increase compared to the Asian population during this period. Option A is incorrect; while the Black or African American population grew, it was not the greatest percentage increase among all racial groups. Option C misrepresents the data; although the White population's growth was slower compared to previous decades, it was not the slowest overall. Option D is misleading as well; the American Indian and Alaska Native population did experience some growth, albeit modest, rather than remaining unchanged.
According to this graph, in which year did the U.S. government first achieve a budget surplus?
- A. 1996
- B. 1994
- C. 1998
- D. 2002
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The graph indicates that the U.S. government first achieved a budget surplus in 1998, as evidenced by the line crossing above the zero mark in that year. Option A (1996) shows a deficit, as the line remains below zero. Option B (1994) also reflects a deficit, indicating that the government had not yet balanced its budget. Option D (2002) is incorrect as it depicts a return to deficit after a surplus, confirming that the surplus was achieved earlier in 1998. Thus, 1998 is the first year when the budget surplus was realized.
The graph indicates that the U.S. government first achieved a budget surplus in 1998, as evidenced by the line crossing above the zero mark in that year. Option A (1996) shows a deficit, as the line remains below zero. Option B (1994) also reflects a deficit, indicating that the government had not yet balanced its budget. Option D (2002) is incorrect as it depicts a return to deficit after a surplus, confirming that the surplus was achieved earlier in 1998. Thus, 1998 is the first year when the budget surplus was realized.