This excerpt is from a 1987 speech by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
"I do not believe that the meaning of the Constitution was forever "fixed" at the Philadelphia Convention. Nor do I find the wisdom, foresight, and sense of justice exhibited by the Framers particularly profound. 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. When contemporary Americans cite "The Constitution," they invoke concept that is vastly different from what the Framers barely began to construct two centurie ago... When the Founding Fathers used this phrase [We, the People) in 1787, they did not have in mind the majority of America's citizens. "We the People" included, in the words of the Framers, "the whole Number of free Persons."
This excerpt is from a 1987 speech by President Ronald Reagan.
“In a very real sense, it was then, in 1787, that the Revolution truly began. 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....
All men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights-until that moment some might have said that was just a high-blown sentiment, the dreams of a few philosophers and their hot-headed followers. But could one really construct a government, run a country, with such idealistic notions? But once those ideals took root in living, functioning institutions, once those notions became a nation-well, then, as I said, the revolution could really begin, not just in America but around the world, a revolution to free man from tyranny of every sort and secure his freedom the only way possible in this world, through the checks and balances and institutions of limited, democratic government.â€
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.
Other Related Questions
Which statement provides the main idea of the passage?
- A. The founders understood the importance of dividing war powers in the U.S. Constitution.
- B. President Truman used presidential war powers to send troops to South Korea.
- C. Congress restricted presidential war powers as a result of the Vietnam War.
- D. A conflict over presidential war powers exists in the U.S. government.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Option D effectively captures the overarching theme of the passage by highlighting the ongoing conflict regarding presidential war powers within the U.S. government. This statement reflects the central issue discussed throughout the text. Option A, while relevant, focuses solely on the founders' intentions rather than the current implications of war powers. Option B is too specific, addressing a single historical instance rather than the broader concept of power dynamics. Option C, although it mentions a relevant event, limits the discussion to the Vietnam War and does not encompass the ongoing nature of the conflict over these powers.
Option D effectively captures the overarching theme of the passage by highlighting the ongoing conflict regarding presidential war powers within the U.S. government. This statement reflects the central issue discussed throughout the text. Option A, while relevant, focuses solely on the founders' intentions rather than the current implications of war powers. Option B is too specific, addressing a single historical instance rather than the broader concept of power dynamics. Option C, although it mentions a relevant event, limits the discussion to the Vietnam War and does not encompass the ongoing nature of the conflict over these powers.
Which statement from the excerpts is a fact?
- A. "When people blame the current crisis on the free market, they are making a grave intellectual error." (paragraph 3)
- B. "... we ultimately included a provision in the Affordable Care Act that people who can afford to buy health insurance should take the responsibility to do so." (paragraph 7)
- C. "Like other areas of the economy where the federal government wields its heavy hand, health care is overregulated and in need of serious market reforms." (paragraph 2)
- D. "... [T]oday's decision was a victory for people all over this country whose lives will be more secure because of this law and the Supreme Court's decision to uphold it." (paragraph 5)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B presents a factual statement regarding the Affordable Care Act, specifically mentioning a provision that mandates individuals who can afford health insurance to take responsibility for purchasing it. This is a verifiable aspect of the legislation. In contrast, Option A expresses an opinion about blaming the free market, which is subjective and open to interpretation. Option C also conveys a viewpoint on government regulation and reform needs, lacking objective verification. Lastly, Option D describes a perceived outcome of a decision, reflecting an opinion on its impact rather than presenting a fact. Thus, only Option B stands as an objective statement grounded in legislation.
Option B presents a factual statement regarding the Affordable Care Act, specifically mentioning a provision that mandates individuals who can afford health insurance to take responsibility for purchasing it. This is a verifiable aspect of the legislation. In contrast, Option A expresses an opinion about blaming the free market, which is subjective and open to interpretation. Option C also conveys a viewpoint on government regulation and reform needs, lacking objective verification. Lastly, Option D describes a perceived outcome of a decision, reflecting an opinion on its impact rather than presenting a fact. Thus, only Option B stands as an objective statement grounded in legislation.
According to Justice Marshall, what historical factor has contradicted the ideas expressed in the U.S. Constitution?
- A. slavery
- B. free enterprise
- C. religion
- D. class war
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Justice Marshall highlighted slavery as a significant historical contradiction to the principles of freedom and equality enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Slavery directly undermined the Constitution's assertion that all men are created equal, creating a profound moral and ethical conflict. In contrast, free enterprise (B) aligns with the Constitution's emphasis on individual rights and economic freedom. Religion (C) is protected under the First Amendment, promoting freedom rather than contradiction. Class war (D) is a socio-economic conflict that, while relevant, does not directly challenge the foundational ideals of the Constitution in the same way slavery does.
Justice Marshall highlighted slavery as a significant historical contradiction to the principles of freedom and equality enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Slavery directly undermined the Constitution's assertion that all men are created equal, creating a profound moral and ethical conflict. In contrast, free enterprise (B) aligns with the Constitution's emphasis on individual rights and economic freedom. Religion (C) is protected under the First Amendment, promoting freedom rather than contradiction. Class war (D) is a socio-economic conflict that, while relevant, does not directly challenge the foundational ideals of the Constitution in the same way slavery does.
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.