Poverty and Social Welfare: A Comprehensive Guide for High School Seniors

Question 1

Which of the following is the most commonly used measure of poverty in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Federal Poverty Level

Answer

Supplemental Poverty Measure

Answer

Relative Poverty Measure

Answer

County-Level Poverty Measure

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a major government program designed to address poverty?

Accepted Answer

Medicare

Answer

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Answer

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Answer

Medicaid

Question 3

Which government program provides financial assistance in the form of monthly payments to low-income families with children?

Accepted Answer

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Answer

Social Security

Answer

Medicare

Answer

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Question 4

Regarding the poverty line in the United States, which statement is accurate?

Accepted Answer

It adjusts based on the size and composition of a household.

Answer

It is calculated based solely on the cost of a basic food budget.

Answer

It has remained unchanged since its establishment in 1965.

Answer

It is considered a flawless measure of poverty, capturing all its complexities.

Question 5

Which of the following is the primary measure of poverty in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Federal Poverty Level

Answer

Median Income

Answer

Consumer Price Index

Answer

Gross Domestic Product

Question 6

Which of the following is a primary cause of poverty in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Lack of education and job opportunities

Answer

Government spending cuts

Answer

High inflation

Answer

Immigration

Question 7

Which principle is central to the practice of social work with individuals and families in poverty?

Accepted Answer

Empowerment and self-sufficiency

Answer

Paternalism and control

Answer

Charity and dependence

Answer

Isolation and blame

Question 8

What is the ethical obligation of society toward its most vulnerable members?

Accepted Answer

To provide basic necessities and opportunities for a dignified life.

Answer

To promote personal responsibility and self-reliance.

Answer

To isolate and punish those who do not contribute to society.

Answer

To leave individuals to fend for themselves.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a commonly used measure of poverty by the US government?

Accepted Answer

Median income

Answer

Poverty threshold

Answer

Supplemental Poverty Measure

Answer

Income-to-needs ratio

Question 10

What is the primary purpose of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)?

Accepted Answer

To provide food assistance to low-income individuals and families

Answer

To subsidize housing costs for the homeless

Answer

To offer job training and employment services

Answer

To provide healthcare coverage for the uninsured

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a measure of poverty commonly used in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Human Poverty Index

Answer

Official poverty line

Answer

Supplemental Poverty Measure

Answer

Gini coefficient

Question 12

What is a primary objective of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)?

Accepted Answer

Providing access to nutritious food for individuals and families with limited financial resources

Answer

Promoting physical activity and healthy eating habits among SNAP participants

Answer

Reducing the need for government spending on food assistance

Answer

Providing job training and educational opportunities to individuals receiving SNAP benefits

Question 13

Which of the following is a primary indicator used to gauge poverty in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Income level

Answer

Educational attainment

Answer

Health status

Answer

Housing conditions

Question 14

Which criticism accurately reflects a limitation of the official poverty measure?

Accepted Answer

It does not account for the actual cost of living.

Answer

It sets the poverty line too high.

Answer

It sets the poverty line too low.

Answer

It does not consider regional variations.

Question 15

Which government program is designed to provide financial assistance to low-income families with children?

Accepted Answer

TANF

Answer

Medicaid

Answer

SNAP

Answer

SSI

Question 16

How has public perception of poverty changed throughout history?

Accepted Answer

Poverty was once seen as a personal flaw, but now it's recognized as a complex issue with many causes.

Answer

Public opinion on poverty has stayed mostly the same over time.

Answer

Poverty is no longer considered a problem in modern society.

Answer

The government has always been heavily involved in addressing poverty, and this hasn't changed.

Question 17

Which of the following is the most commonly used measure of poverty in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Headcount rate

Answer

Poverty gap index

Answer

Gini coefficient

Answer

Human Development Index

Question 18

Which of the following is a key component of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)?

Accepted Answer

Providing food stamps for low-income individuals and families

Answer

Offering subsidized housing for families

Answer

Providing job training and placement services

Answer

Providing healthcare coverage for children without insurance

Question 19

What is the primary goal of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)?

Accepted Answer

Providing food assistance to low-income individuals and families

Answer

Offering job training and placement services

Answer

Providing rental assistance for low-income families

Answer

Offering healthcare coverage for uninsured children

Question 20

What is the central aim of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?

Accepted Answer

To supplement the wages of low- and moderate-income workers

Answer

To provide tax incentives to businesses that hire low-income employees

Answer

To fund social programs for the elderly and disabled

Answer

To encourage individuals to enter the workforce

Question 21

What is the primary difference between absolute and relative poverty?

Accepted Answer

Absolute poverty is based on a fixed income threshold, while relative poverty is based on the income of others in society.

Answer

Relative poverty is based on a fixed income threshold, while absolute poverty is based on the income of others in society.

Answer

Both absolute and relative poverty are based on fixed income thresholds.

Answer

Both absolute and relative poverty are based on the income of others in society.

Question 22

What is the primary mission of the Public Housing Authority (PHA)?

Accepted Answer

Providing affordable housing options for low-income families and individuals

Answer

Offering financial assistance for homeownership

Answer

Enforcing housing regulations and building codes

Answer

Providing job training and placement services

Question 23

What is the main focus of the National School Lunch Program?

Accepted Answer

Providing free or reduced-price lunches to students from low-income families

Answer

Improving nutritional outcomes for all schoolchildren

Answer

Encouraging students to make healthier food choices

Answer

Reducing the prevalence of childhood obesity

Question 24

According to the United States federal government, which of the following best defines poverty?

Accepted Answer

Having an income below the official poverty line

Answer

Lacking access to basic essentials like food, shelter, and healthcare

Answer

Experiencing social isolation and discrimination

Answer

Being unable to participate fully in society

Question 25

Which of these government-sponsored programs offers financial assistance to low-income families for food purchases?

Accepted Answer

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Answer

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Answer

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Answer

Housing Choice Voucher Program

Question 26

What is considered the primary objective of the Social Security program?

Accepted Answer

To furnish retirement income.

Answer

To reduce child poverty.

Answer

To deliver health care to the elderly.

Answer

To alleviate homelessness.

Question 27

What has been identified as a fundamental distinction between poverty in rural and urban settings?

Accepted Answer

Access to essential services.

Answer

Availability of employment opportunities.

Answer

Cost of living expenses.

Answer

Educational attainment levels.

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a widely accepted definition of poverty?

Accepted Answer

Low levels of social mobility

Answer

Incomes below a certain level

Answer

Lack of access to basic necessities

Answer

Social exclusion and discrimination

Question 29

What is the official measure of poverty in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Federal Poverty Level

Answer

Median income

Answer

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Answer

Human Development Index

Question 30

Which of the following is a primary goal of the Social Security Act?

Accepted Answer

Provide income support for seniors

Answer

Reduce unemployment

Answer

Promote affordable housing

Answer

Increase access to healthcare

Question 31

What is a key criticism of the welfare system in the United States?

Accepted Answer

It does not effectively address the underlying causes of poverty

Answer

It provides too much assistance

Answer

It is too difficult to qualify for

Answer

It primarily benefits non-citizens

Question 32

Which of the following is NOT a commonly cited cause of poverty in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Lack of individual responsibility

Answer

Discrimination

Answer

Structural barriers

Answer

Inadequate education

Question 33

The official poverty threshold is based on which of the following in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Three times the cost of a minimum food budget

Answer

The cost of living in major cities

Answer

The average income of all households

Answer

The average income of the lowest 20% of households

Question 34

The War on Poverty, launched in the 1960s in the United States, resulted in:

Accepted Answer

A modest reduction in poverty rates

Answer

A significant increase in inequality

Answer

No significant change in poverty rates

Answer

An increase in poverty rates

Question 35

The social welfare system in the United States is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

A fragmented and decentralized approach

Answer

A universal and comprehensive approach

Answer

A highly centralized and bureaucratic approach

Answer

A reliance on private charity

Question 36

Which of the following is a key principle of social justice?

Accepted Answer

Equality of opportunity

Answer

Voluntarism

Answer

Desert

Answer

Individual responsibility

Question 37

The concept of the poverty line is:

Accepted Answer

Arbitrary and subject to debate

Answer

Relative to the median income

Answer

Universal and absolute

Answer

Based on scientific evidence

Question 38

Which definition of poverty emphasizes the disparity in living standards within a society?

Accepted Answer

Relative poverty

Answer

Situational poverty

Answer

Generational poverty

Answer

Absolute poverty

Question 39

What is the basis for determining the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Income compared to a set threshold

Answer

Household size

Answer

Cost of living

Answer

Education level

Question 40

Which government program primarily provides financial assistance and work support services to low-income families?

Accepted Answer

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Answer

Medicaid

Answer

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Question 41

What was a major critique of the War on Poverty launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson?

Accepted Answer

It focused predominantly on short-term assistance rather than addressing underlying causes of poverty.

Answer

It was too expensive.

Answer

It created a culture of dependency.

Question 42

Which concept refers to the persistent transmission of poverty across generations within families?

Accepted Answer

Intergenerational poverty cycle

Answer

Situational poverty

Answer

Absolute poverty

Answer

Relative poverty

Question 43

What are some of the significant obstacles hindering upward mobility for individuals living in poverty?

Accepted Answer

Limited access to education, job training, and affordable healthcare

Answer

Lack of motivation

Answer

Personal failures

Question 44

Which of the following is a potential advantage of implementing a universal basic income (UBI)?

Accepted Answer

Reduction in poverty rates and economic inequality

Answer

Increase in economic growth

Answer

Reduction in unemployment

Answer

Elimination of social safety net programs

Question 45

Which of the following is NOT considered a contributing factor to homelessness?

Accepted Answer

Personal preference

Answer

Substance abuse

Answer

Lack of affordable housing

Answer

Mental illness

Question 46

What is the primary purpose of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?

Accepted Answer

To subsidize the income of low- and moderate-income working individuals and families

Answer

To reduce healthcare costs

Answer

To provide housing assistance

Answer

To offer job training programs

Question 47

Which of the following is **NOT** a primary factor contributing to poverty in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Lack of motivation

Answer

Lack of access to adequate education and healthcare

Answer

Systemic factors such as structural unemployment and discrimination

Question 48

The primary purpose of the Social Security Act of 1935 was to establish:

Accepted Answer

Retirement and disability benefits

Answer

Unemployment insurance programs

Answer

Welfare assistance specifically for families

Question 49

What is a common criticism of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program?

Accepted Answer

Its strict work requirements may hinder recipients' ability to find and retain employment.

Answer

It provides overly generous benefits

Answer

It is only available to single mothers

Question 50

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is an example of a:

Accepted Answer

Work incentive program

Answer

Direct cash transfer

Answer

In-kind benefit

Answer

Social insurance program

Question 51

Which of the following is a primary goal of reducing child poverty?

Accepted Answer

Improving educational outcomes for children

Answer

Lowering taxes on corporations

Answer

Increasing the birth rate

Answer

Reducing immigration

Question 52

According to the 'culture of poverty' theory, poor people are believed to be:

Accepted Answer

Trapped in a cycle of negative behaviors and attitudes

Answer

Unwilling or unable to work or improve their situation

Answer

Genetically predisposed to poverty

Question 53

Which of the following is considered a systemic approach to addressing poverty?

Accepted Answer

Investing in early childhood education and healthcare

Answer

Reducing the minimum wage

Answer

Providing cash handouts to the poor