Levittown
1 Shortly after World War II, many changes led to the development of suburbs. Men returned home from military service, got married, and started families. They needed housing. William Levitt, an entrepreneur, started building look-alike houses in developments in rural areas using assembly-line techniques. His first site, located in Nassau County, New York, is now called Levittown.
2 William and his brother Alfred first gained experience in assembly-line techniques while building government housing for defense workers during World War II. After the war, the Levitts gambled on the belief that many veterans would want to work in the city while living in rural areas. They bought 1,000 acres of Long Island farmland 25 miles east of Manhattan. In 1947, they began construction on the first of what would eventually be 17,000 houses.
3 The operation was organized so that houses could be mass-produced. At a 20-acre facility on-site, cement was mixed and lumber cut. Carpenters, roofers, and tile layers worked in waves. There was even one team of painters for red and another for white. The Levitt brothers owned a forest, a saw mill, and a nail-making factory. This use of vertical integration, along with buying appliances directly from manufacturers, allowed them to keep costs down and maximize their profits. Houses sold for $8,000, which resulted in a $1,000 profit per house for the builders.
4 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. Moreover, a separate government program made low-interest mortgage loans avallable to returning military personnel. With this financing in place, more homes could be built and more veterans could afford to buy them. Thus, much of the baby-boom generation had well-constructed homes in which to grow up.
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.
Other Related Questions
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.
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.
What is the main point of view expressed in this excerpt?
- A. The Cherokee Nation is equal to the United States in terms of trade and government.
- B. The Cherokee Nation is dependent on the United States for basic necessities and survival.
- C. The Cherokee Nation is dependent on the United States for guidance and protection.
- D. The Cherokee Nation is a separate state that deals with the United States as a foreign country.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The excerpt emphasizes the Cherokee Nation's reliance on the United States for guidance and protection, reflecting a relationship where the Cherokee seek support in navigating external challenges. Option A misrepresents the dynamics by suggesting equality in trade and government, which overlooks the power imbalance. Option B, while hinting at dependence, fails to capture the broader context of guidance and protection that the Cherokee sought. Option D incorrectly frames the relationship as one of complete separation, ignoring the interdependence that characterized their interactions with the United States.
The excerpt emphasizes the Cherokee Nation's reliance on the United States for guidance and protection, reflecting a relationship where the Cherokee seek support in navigating external challenges. Option A misrepresents the dynamics by suggesting equality in trade and government, which overlooks the power imbalance. Option B, while hinting at dependence, fails to capture the broader context of guidance and protection that the Cherokee sought. Option D incorrectly frames the relationship as one of complete separation, ignoring the interdependence that characterized their interactions with the United States.
Based on the flowchart, how is a political party's presidential candidate selected?
- A. by balloting after the general election
- B. by balloting at the party convention
- C. by votes cast in party primary elections
- D. by votes cast in the general election
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The selection of a political party's presidential candidate primarily occurs through votes cast in party primary elections. This process allows party members to express their preferences for candidates before the general election, ensuring that the nominee reflects the party's values and priorities. Option A is incorrect because the general election occurs after the candidate has already been chosen. Option B, while related to the convention, is misleading as the convention typically formalizes the candidate chosen in the primaries rather than selecting them. Option D is also incorrect, as the general election determines the overall winner, not the party's candidate.
The selection of a political party's presidential candidate primarily occurs through votes cast in party primary elections. This process allows party members to express their preferences for candidates before the general election, ensuring that the nominee reflects the party's values and priorities. Option A is incorrect because the general election occurs after the candidate has already been chosen. Option B, while related to the convention, is misleading as the convention typically formalizes the candidate chosen in the primaries rather than selecting them. Option D is also incorrect, as the general election determines the overall winner, not the party's candidate.