Question 1

Figure 20-3 
-Refer to Figure 20-3. In 1968, the percent of children under age 18 in poverty is
A)higher than both the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 and the percentage of elderly aged 65 and over in poverty.
B)higher than the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 but is lower than the percentage of elderly aged 65 and over in poverty.
C)lower than both the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 and the percentage of elderly aged 65 and over in poverty.
D)lower than the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 but is higher than the percentage of elderly aged 65 and over in poverty.

Accepted Answer

According to Figure 20-3, the percent of children under age 18 in poverty in 1968 is around 22%, which is higher than the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 (around 10%) but lower than the percentage of elderly aged 65 and over (around 25%) in poverty. Therefore, the best choice is B.

Question 2

Figure 20-2 
-Refer to Figure 20-2. Which of the following is consistent with the data reported in the figure?
A)The female poverty rate is higher for all age groups than the male poverty rate.
B)The disparity between male and female poverty increases with age.
C)Neither a nor b are correct.
D)Both a and b are correct.

Accepted Answer

The data in the figure shows that the female poverty rate is higher than the male poverty rate for all age groups, supporting choice A. Additionally, the disparity between male and female poverty rates increases with age, supporting choice B. Therefore, both statements are correct and the correct answer is D.

Question 3

Figure 20-1
Number of Poor 
-Refer to Figure 20-1. Between 1965 and 2011, during recessions (the shaded bars) the number of individuals in poverty has
A)increased.
B)decreased.
C)not changed.
D)decreased and then increased.

Accepted Answer

During the recessions (the shaded bars), the number of individuals in poverty has increased.

Question 4

Figure 20-1
Number of Poor 
-Refer to Figure 20-1. Between 1959 and 2011 the poverty rate has
A)increased overall.
B)decreased overall.
C)stayed the same overall.
D)moved in the opposite direction of the number of people in poverty.

Accepted Answer

The line graph shows a clear decrease in the poverty rate over time, from about 22% in 1959 to about 15% in 2011. Therefore, choice B is correct, while choices A, C, and D are incorrect.

Question 5

The federal government sets the poverty line at roughly
A)five times the cost of providing an adequate diet.
B)four times the cost of providing an adequate diet.
C)three times the cost of providing an adequate diet.
D)two times the cost of providing an adequate diet.

Accepted Answer

The federal government sets the poverty line at three times the cost of providing an adequate diet. This is known as the poverty threshold and is adjusted annually for inflation.

Question 6

If the U.S. government determines that the cost of feeding an urban family of four is $7,500 per year, then the official poverty line for a family of that type is
A)$7,500.
B)$15,000.
C)$22,500.
D)$30,000.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If the U.S. government determines that the...

Question 7

Figure 20-3 
-Refer to Figure 20-3. Which of the following best describes the poverty rates by age from 1965 to 2011?
A)The poverty rates by age have declined for all age groups.
B)The percentage of people living in poverty has consistently been highest for the elderly aged 65 and over and lowest for adults aged 18 to 64.
C)The percentage of children under age 18 and the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 have maintained a similar trend while the percentage of elderly aged 65 and over has decreased significantly.
D)The poverty rates by age have increased for all age groups.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Figure 20-3 
-Refer to Figure 20-3. Which...

Question 8

Figure 20-3 
-Refer to Figure 20-3. In 2011, the percent of elderly aged 65 and over in poverty is
A)higher than both the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 and the percentage of children under age 18 in poverty.
B)higher than the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 but is lower than the percentage of children under age 18 in poverty.
C)lower than both the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 and the percentage of children under age 18 in poverty.
D)lower than the percentage of children under age 18 but is equal to the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 in poverty.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Figure 20-3 
-Refer to Figure 20-3. In...

Question 9

The income level below which families are said to be poor is known as the
A)income maintenance threshold.
B)poverty line.
C)bottom quintile of the income distribution.
D)minimum wage.

Accepted Answer

The poverty line is the income level below which families are considered poor. This is the most widely used measure of poverty in the United States.

Question 10

Figure 20-3 
-Refer to Figure 20-3. In 1968, the percent of adults aged 18 to 64 years in poverty is
A)higher than both the percentage of children under age 18 and the percentage of elderly aged 65 and over in poverty.
B)higher than the percentage of children under age 18 but is lower than the percentage of elderly aged 65 and over in poverty.
C)lower than both the percentage of children under age 18 and the percentage of elderly aged 65 and over in poverty.
D)lower than the percentage of children under age 18 but is higher than the percentage of elderly aged 65 and over in poverty.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Figure 20-3 
-Refer to Figure 20-3. In...

Question 11

In 2011, the poverty line for a family of four in the U.S. was
A)$60,974.
B)$23,021.
C)$20,988.
D)$17,642.

Accepted Answer

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty threshold for a family of four in 2011 was $23,021.

Question 12

Figure 20-3 
-Refer to Figure 20-3. Which of the following is consistent with the data reported in the figure?
A)Policies to reduce elderly (65 years and older) poverty rates since 1959 seem to have been effective.
B)The age group suffering the highest poverty rate in recent years has been 18 to 64 year olds.
C)Policies to reduce youth (under 18 years) poverty rates since 1959 seem to have been effective.
D)All of the above are correct.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Figure 20-3 
-Refer to Figure 20-3. Which...

Question 13

The poverty rate is the percentage of the population that have a family income level below the
A)income maintenance threshold.
B)poverty line.
C)bottom quintile of the income distribution.
D)minimum wage.

Accepted Answer

The poverty rate is determined by comparing a family's income with the poverty line. The poverty line is an official measure set by the government each year and is based on the cost of a minimum amount of food that families need to live on, adjusted for family size, and multiplied by three. families with incomes below this amount are considered to be in poverty. Therefore, choice B, poverty line, is the best option.

Question 14

Figure 20-3 
-Refer to Figure 20-3. In 1968, the percent of elderly aged 65 and over in poverty is
A)higher than both the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 and the percentage of children under age 18 in poverty.
B)higher than the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 but is lower than the percentage of children under age 18 in poverty.
C)lower than both the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 and the percentage of children under age 18 in poverty.
D)is lower than the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 but is higher than the percentage of children under age 18 in poverty.

Accepted Answer

According to the graph, in 1968 the percentage of elderly aged 65 and over in poverty is higher than both the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 and the percentage of children under age 18 in poverty.

Question 15

Figure 20-3 
-Refer to Figure 20-3. In 2011, the percent of adults between ages 18 and 64 in poverty is
A)higher than both the percentage of children under age 18 and the percentage of elderly aged 65 and over in poverty.
B)higher than the percentage of children under age 18 but is lower than the percentage of elderly aged 65 and over in poverty.
C)is lower than the percentage of children under age 18 but is higher than the percentage of elderly aged 65 and over in poverty.
D)is lower than the percentage of children under age 18 and is equal to the percentage of elderly aged 65 and over in poverty.

Accepted Answer

According to Figure 20-3, the percent of adults between ages 18 and 64 in poverty is approximately 13%, which is lower than the percentage of children under age 18 (about 22%) but is higher than the percentage of elderly aged 65 and over (about 9%) in poverty. Therefore, the best choice is C.

Question 16

Figure 20-1
Number of Poor 
-Refer to Figure 20-1. The absolute number of people in poverty
A)is higher in 2011 than in 1959.
B)is lower in 2011 than in 1959.
C)has not changed between 1959 and 2011.
D)has steadily decreased between 1959 and 2011.

Accepted Answer

The graph shows that the number of poor people in 2011 is higher than in 1959.

Question 17

The US government sets the poverty line equal to approximately
A)three times the cost of providing subsidized housing.
B)three times the cost of providing an adequate diet.
C)the minimum wage for a single person working 40 hours per week and 50 weeks per year.
D)the cost of providing food, shelter, and health care expenses for a family of four.

Accepted Answer

The US government sets the poverty line based on the cost of providing an adequate diet. Specifically, the poverty line is set at three times the cost of providing a minimum food budget for a family of four, adjusted for inflation and regional variations in housing costs. This calculation is based on the assumption that food expenses make up about one third of a family's budget, so the poverty line is set at three times this amount. Other expenses, such as housing and health care, are not included in this calculation.

Question 18

If the U.S. government determines that the cost of feeding an urban family of four is $5,200 per year, then the official poverty line for a family of that type is
A)$10,400.
B)$15,600.
C)$20,800.
D)$26,000.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If the U.S. government determines that the...

Question 19

The poverty line is adjusted each year to reflect changes in the
A)number of people currently on public assistance.
B)level of prices.
C)nutritional content of an "adequate" diet.
D)size of a family.

Accepted Answer

The poverty line is adjusted each year based on changes in the level of prices. This adjustment is made to ensure that the poverty line reflects the actual cost of living for different family sizes and types, and to account for changes in inflation and other economic factors. Changes in the number of people on public assistance or the nutritional content of an "adequate" diet are not typically used to adjust the poverty line. While the size of a family can be a factor in determining poverty, it is not the only one and is not used to adjust the poverty line annually.

Question 20

Figure 20-3 
-Refer to Figure 20-3. In 2011, the percent of children under age 18 in poverty is
A)higher than both the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 and the percentage of elderly aged 65 years and over in poverty.
B)higher than the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 but is lower than the percentage of elderly aged 65 years and over in poverty.
C)lower than both the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 and the percentage of elderly aged 65 years and over in poverty.
D)lower than the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 but is higher than the percentage of elderly aged 65 years and over in poverty.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Figure 20-3 
-Refer to Figure 20-3. In...

Quiz 20: Income Inequality and Poverty

Figure 20-3 -Refer to Figure 20-3. In 1968, the percent of children under age 18 in poverty is

Figure 20-2 -Refer to Figure 20-2. Which of the following is consistent with the data reported in the figure?

Figure 20-1 Number of Poor -Refer to Figure 20-1. Between 1965 and 2011, during recessions (the shaded bars) the number of individuals in poverty has

Figure 20-1 Number of Poor -Refer to Figure 20-1. Between 1959 and 2011 the poverty rate has

The federal government sets the poverty line at roughly

If the U.S. government determines that the cost of feeding an urban family of four is $7,500 per year, then the official poverty line for a family of that type is

Figure 20-3 -Refer to Figure 20-3. Which of the following best describes the poverty rates by age from 1965 to 2011?

Figure 20-3 -Refer to Figure 20-3. In 2011, the percent of elderly aged 65 and over in poverty is

The income level below which families are said to be poor is known as the

Figure 20-3 -Refer to Figure 20-3. In 1968, the percent of adults aged 18 to 64 years in poverty is

In 2011, the poverty line for a family of four in the U.S. was

Figure 20-3 -Refer to Figure 20-3. Which of the following is consistent with the data reported in the figure?

The poverty rate is the percentage of the population that have a family income level below the

Figure 20-3 -Refer to Figure 20-3. In 1968, the percent of elderly aged 65 and over in poverty is

Figure 20-3 -Refer to Figure 20-3. In 2011, the percent of adults between ages 18 and 64 in poverty is

Figure 20-1 Number of Poor -Refer to Figure 20-1. The absolute number of people in poverty

The US government sets the poverty line equal to approximately

If the U.S. government determines that the cost of feeding an urban family of four is $5,200 per year, then the official poverty line for a family of that type is

The poverty line is adjusted each year to reflect changes in the

Figure 20-3 -Refer to Figure 20-3. In 2011, the percent of children under age 18 in poverty is