What term is a clause creating an exemption based on circumstances previously existing?

• A. Grandfather Clause
• B. Segregation
• C. Literacy
• D. Riot

Answer: (A)

A grandfather clause describes an exemption created for people who meet conditions that existed before a change was made. It lets certain individuals bypass new rules because their circumstances were already in place previously, often tied to an ancestor’s status. For example, a voting law might allow someone to vote without passing a new literacy test if their grandfather had voted before the change. The other terms don’t fit this idea: segregation is about separating groups, literacy is about a test of reading/writing ability, and riot refers to a violent disturbance.