Question 1

In terms of pretax income gained only from the market, the poorest 20 percent of the population receive _________ percent of all income while the top 20 percent receive ___________ percent of all income.
A) 5.5/85
B) 1.5/54
C) 10.5/69
D) 20/80

Accepted Answer

The poorest 20 percent of the population typically receive a very small percentage of total income, around 1.5%, while the top 20 percent receive a much larger share, around 54%, reflecting significant income inequality.

Question 2

Which of the following is a true statement?
A) Most of the benefits from tax cuts in 2001 and 2003 went to the wealthiest two percent.
B) Between 1998 and 2005, about two-thirds of U.S. corporations paid no federal income taxes at all.
C) The IRS recently estimated that about $70 billion in taxes were lost in 2001 because of offshore accounts.
D) All of the above.

Accepted Answer

All the statements are true: A) The tax cuts in 2001 and 2003 primarily benefited the wealthiest. B) A significant portion of U.S. corporations avoided federal income taxes between 1998 and 2005. C) The IRS estimated substantial tax losses due to offshore accounts in 2001.

Question 3

Evidence suggests that affirmative action programs have:
A) not increased pressures for academic performance or dropout rates among minorities at top-ranked
Universities and colleges though they did negatively affect grades for minorities
B) unduly harmed white workers
C) not been successful
D) resulted in the hiring of many unqualified individuals

Accepted Answer

Affirmative action programs have been shown to increase diversity without significantly increasing dropout rates or harming academic performance among minorities, although they may affect grades.

Question 4

U.S. policies and programs have historically been based more on:
A) societal economic and political conditions that create poverty
B) individual flaws and value and lifestyle deficiencies of the poor
C) stresses in the living situation of the poor
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Historically, U.S. policies and programs have often focused on addressing perceived individual flaws and deficiencies in values and lifestyle among the poor, rather than addressing broader societal economic and political conditions.

Question 5

Before the Civil War, which of the following factors did NOT contribute to poverty?
A) crop failures
B) growing population
C) increase in low-wage labor
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

All the listed factors contributed to poverty before the Civil War. Crop failures affected food supply and income, a growing population increased competition for resources, and an increase in low-wage labor kept wages low.

Question 6

Poorhouses in the 19th-century U.S.:
A) were effective in eliminating poverty among adolescents
B) aimed at warehousing the poor with no attempt to rehabilitate them
C) theoretically stressed the importance of work, education, and discipline
D) managed to successfully balance the goals of order, low cost, and reform

Accepted Answer

Poorhouses in the 19th-century U.S. theoretically stressed the importance of work, education, and discipline, although in practice, they often failed to achieve these goals.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT basic to the ideal image of the rugged individual?
A) Physical and psychological independence.
B) Not just anyone can overcome difficult obstacles; it takes more than hard work to succeed.
C) Those who do not succeed are lazy and immoral.
D) The possibility of material gain is needed to motivate people.

Accepted Answer

Not just anyone can overcome difficult obstacles; it takes more than hard work to succeed is not basic to the ideal image of the rugged individual.

Question 8

The religious doctrine of Calvinism posits that:
A) philanthropy is crucial to a meaningful life
B) idleness is not only a sin but a social evil as well
C) structural issues cause people to become poor
D) poor people are among God's elect

Accepted Answer

Calvinism emphasizes the importance of hard work and views idleness as a sin, aligning with the Protestant work ethic.

Question 9

Traditionally, images of the poor in the U.S.:
A) have focused on them as victims of circumstances
B) has viewed them as luckless individuals deserving of help
C) has seen them as victims of conscious exploitation by others
D) have focused on their alleged weaknesses in character and personality

Accepted Answer

Traditionally, images of the poor in the U.S. have often emphasized perceived character and personality flaws, suggesting that poverty results from individual failings rather than systemic issues.

Question 10

To place the reason for economic success or failure on the individual is to:
A) implicate society and its institutions for creating poverty
B) integrate the poor with others to create a more communal society
C) create stereotypes and negative images of the poor
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Blaming individuals for economic success or failure often leads to stereotypes and negative perceptions of those who are poor, rather than addressing systemic issues.

Question 11

Which group makes up the majority of those who are poor and on welfare in the U.S.?
A) Blacks
B) non-Hispanic Whites
C) Hispanics
D) Asians

Accepted Answer

Non-Hispanic Whites make up the largest racial group in the U.S., and they also constitute the majority of those who are poor and on welfare, despite common misconceptions.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a true statement regarding the poor?
A) A majority of the poor are old, children, or disabled.
B) The poor have a significantly greater number of children than the non-poor.
C) The poor spend most of their incomes on basic needs.
D) The vast majority of unmarried mothers on welfare have only one child.

Accepted Answer

The statement that the poor have a significantly greater number of children than the non-poor is not necessarily true. While there may be a perception that poor families have more children, this is not universally accurate and can vary widely depending on cultural, economic, and regional factors.

Question 13

In the "residual" view:
A) social welfare aid should be given to the poor only as a last resort
B) social welfare expenditures and programs are positive and people should not be stigmatized because of their need for help
C) benefits should be high so as to provide the poor with greater opportunities
D) poverty is largely beyond the control of most poor

Accepted Answer

The "residual" view of social welfare suggests that aid should be provided only when all other options have been exhausted, emphasizing minimal intervention.

Question 14

From the "institutional" perspective:
A) poverty is a character flaw or deficiency
B) people should not expect help from the government without a stigma being attached to it
C) social welfare programs play a vital role in dealing with many of the problems generated by society
D) social welfare programs are a means of controlling the working class and the poor

Accepted Answer

The institutional perspective views social welfare programs as essential tools for addressing societal issues, rather than attributing poverty to individual failings or using welfare as a means of control.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of a social insurance program?
A) Medicaid
B) Food Stamps
C) Medicare
D) Supplemental Security Income

Accepted Answer

Medicare is a social insurance program that provides health coverage to individuals aged 65 and older, as well as to some younger people with disabilities, funded through payroll taxes.

Question 16

Which of the following is by far the most expensive income-maintenance program?
A) Medicare
B) Social Security
C) Medicaid
D) Temporary Assistance to Needy Families

Accepted Answer

Social Security is the most expensive income-maintenance program, as it provides benefits to retirees, disabled individuals, and survivors, and is funded through payroll taxes.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT part of Social Security?
A) Medicare
B) unemployment and disability insurance
C) retirement benefits
D) federal student loans

Accepted Answer

Federal student loans are not part of Social Security. Social Security primarily includes retirement benefits, disability insurance, and Medicare.

Question 18

The major source of health care for qualified poor people is:
A) Medicare
B) Medicaid
C) church-supported clinics
D) Aid to Families with Dependent Children

Accepted Answer

Medicaid is a government program that provides health care coverage to low-income individuals and families, making it the major source of health care for qualified poor people.

Question 19

Evidence suggests that:
A) welfare is a major cause of divorce and family disintegration
B) welfare benefits encourage families to have illegitimate children
C) benefit levels are not a major factor in the breakup of families or illegitimacy rates
D) states with higher welfare benefits consistently have higher percentages of female-headed
Households

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that welfare benefits are not a significant factor in family breakup or illegitimacy rates, suggesting other social and economic factors play a more substantial role.

Question 20

Analyses of the welfare population reveal that:
A) it typically becomes a permanent way of life that persists for generations
B) most who receive financial aid could take care of themselves without such assistance
C) only about 15 percent are constantly on welfare
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that only a small percentage of the welfare population, around 15%, remain on welfare continuously, suggesting that it is not typically a permanent way of life for most recipients.

Quiz 15: Addressing Inequality and Poverty: Programs and Reforms

In terms of pretax income gained only from the market, the poorest 20 percent of the population receive _ percent of all income while the top 20 percent receive ___ percent of all income.

Which of the following is a true statement?

Evidence suggests that affirmative action programs have:

U.S. policies and programs have historically been based more on:

Before the Civil War, which of the following factors did NOT contribute to poverty?

Poorhouses in the 19th-century U.S.:

Which of the following is NOT basic to the ideal image of the rugged individual?

The religious doctrine of Calvinism posits that:

Traditionally, images of the poor in the U.S.:

To place the reason for economic success or failure on the individual is to:

Which group makes up the majority of those who are poor and on welfare in the U.S.?

Which of the following is NOT a true statement regarding the poor?

In the "residual" view:

From the "institutional" perspective:

Which of the following is an example of a social insurance program?

Which of the following is by far the most expensive income-maintenance program?

Which of the following is NOT part of Social Security?

The major source of health care for qualified poor people is:

Evidence suggests that:

Analyses of the welfare population reveal that: