Reading Passage I

The main purpose of the passage is to:

• propose reforms to the procedures for electing the President and Vice President.

• condemn Alexander Hamilton for interfering in the election of 1796.

• describe the political events that led to John Adams’ victory in the 1796 Presidential election.

• contrast the political philosophy of the Federalists to that of Thomas Jefferson.

Answer explanation

The passage primarily focuses on the events surrounding John Adams' victory in the 1796 Presidential election, detailing the political context rather than proposing reforms or condemning individuals.

Which of the following titles best describes the content of the passage?

• The Failure of Alexander Hamilton’s Plan for Thomas Pinckney to Win the 1796 Presidential Election

• The Roots of Alexander Hamilton’s Distrust of John Adams and New England’s Politics

• Important Issues in the 1796 Presidential Campaign as Presented by the Federalist Candidates

• The Political Careers of Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and Thomas Pinckney

Answer explanation

The correct title highlights Hamilton's failed strategy to support Pinckney in the 1796 election, which is the main focus of the passage, distinguishing it from other options that address broader themes or different candidates.

According to the passage, which of the following was true of the Presidential election of 1796?

• A. Thomas Jefferson received more electoral votes than did Thomas Pinckney.

• B. John Adams received strong support from the electors of South Carolina.

• C. Alexander Hamilton received most of New England’s electoral votes.

• D. Thomas Pinckney was selected by Federalist party leaders to be the party’s presidential candidate.

Answer explanation

Be Careful of question distractors! Echoing or repeating incorrect information is how the test writers try to distract you from choosing the correct answer.

According to the passage, Hamilton’s plan included all of the following EXCEPT:

• articles published in newspapers to create opposition to John Adams.

• South Carolina’s loyalty to Thomas Pinckney.

• private contact with state officials urging them to support Thomas Pinckney.

• John Adams’ reputation as a stubborn and independent New Englander.

Answer explanation

Be careful of the question stem using the word EXCEPT!

Hamilton’s plan did not include John Adams’ reputation as a stubborn and independent New Englander. The other options relate directly to his strategies for supporting Thomas Pinckney and opposing Adams.

The passage supplies information that answers which of the following questions:

• How many electoral votes were cast for John Adams in the 1796 Presidential election?

• Under the voting system originally set up by the Constitution, how many votes did each elector cast?

• Who was Jefferson’s running mate in the 1796 Presidential election?

• What became of Alexander Hamilton after his plan to have Thomas Pinckney elected President failed?

Answer explanation

The passage provides details on the electoral votes. Look at lines 45-48

In line 11, the word pliant most nearly means:

• assertive

• public

• national

• yielding

Answer explanation

In line 11, 'pliant' refers to something that is flexible or easily influenced. The closest meaning among the options is 'yielding', which implies a willingness to give way or adapt, unlike 'assertive', 'public', or 'national'.

Why does the author refer to the election procedure established by the original Constitution?

• To prove to the reader that New England as a whole had more electoral votes than the state of South Carolina.

• To persuade the reader that Thomas Pinckney’s defeat could have been avoided.

• To alert the reader that the procedure used in 1796 was unlike the procedure in use today.

• To encourage the reader to study Constitutional history.

Answer explanation

This is a development question that asks the WHY or HOW for the choices an author makes in a passage. The author refers to the election procedure from the original Constitution to highlight how the 1796 process differed from today's methods, emphasizing changes in electoral practices over time.

The overall development of the passage can best be described as:

• refuting possible explanations for certain phenomena.

• documenting a thesis with specific examples.

• offering an explanation of a series of events.

• making particular proposals to solve a problem.

Answer explanation

The article documents a series of events and their explanations. This is a development question.

The passage implies that some electors voted for John Adams because they were:

• in favor of a monarchy.

• persuaded to do so by Hamilton.

• afraid South Carolina would not vote for Pinckney.

• eager to have a President from their geographical region.

Answer explanation

This is an IMPLIED message question. Look at lines 40-45. The passage suggests that some electors were persuaded by Hamilton to support Adams, and they also favored having a President from their region, indicating regional loyalty.

Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

• Thomas Pinckney had a personal dislike for Jefferson’s politics.

• The Federalists regarded themselves as more democratic than Jefferson.

• The Hamiltonians contacted key Southern leaders to persuade them to vote for Adams.

• Electors were likely to vote for candidates from their own geographical region.

Answer explanation

Read lines 20-23

The plan isn't stated explicitly. We are to infer the plan is that they would vote for their region.