Which combination describes the minimum requirements for a senator?

Which combination describes the minimum requirements for a senator?

• A. 25 years old; 7 years
• B. 30 years old; 9 years
• C. 35 years old; 14 years
• D. 40 years old; 10 years

Answer: (B)

The key idea is the constitutional minimums for serving in the Senate: a person must be at least 30 years old and have been a citizen for at least 9 years, plus be a resident of the state they seek to represent. The smallest values that meet these rules are 30 years old and 9 years of citizenship, so the option that lists those exact minimums is the one that describes the thresholds. The other options fail because they do not match these minimums: one option has someone younger than allowed, and the others show higher ages or more years as a citizen, which describe someone who would be eligible but do not represent the minimum requirements.

The key idea is the constitutional minimums for serving in the Senate: a person must be at least 30 years old and have been a citizen for at least 9 years, plus be a resident of the state they seek to represent. The smallest values that meet these rules are 30 years old and 9 years of citizenship, so the option that lists those exact minimums is the one that describes the thresholds. The other options fail because they do not match these minimums: one option has someone younger than allowed, and the others show higher ages or more years as a citizen, which describe someone who would be eligible but do not represent the minimum requirements.