Poverty and Inequality: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions

Question 1

Identify the option that is NOT considered a primary root cause of poverty in the United States.

Accepted Answer

Genetic predisposition to unemployment

Answer

Insufficient access to quality education

Answer

Discrimination and systemic barriers

Answer

Limited availability of affordable housing

Question 2

Which government program has been recognized as particularly effective in reducing poverty rates within the United States?

Accepted Answer

The Earned Income Tax Credit

Answer

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Answer

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program

Answer

Social Security

Question 3

Which criticism effectively challenges the bootstrap theory, which posits that individuals can overcome poverty solely through personal effort?

Accepted Answer

It fails to account for the impact of systemic barriers.

Answer

It assumes that everyone has equal opportunities.

Answer

It downplays the importance of government assistance.

Answer

It lacks empirical evidence to support its claims.

Question 4

Identify the primary indicator used to measure inequality in society.

Accepted Answer

The Gini coefficient

Answer

The poverty rate

Answer

The unemployment rate

Answer

The crime rate

Question 5

Which set of factors is most likely to contribute to wealth inequality?

Accepted Answer

Inheritance, educational attainment, and occupational status

Answer

Inheritance and educational attainment

Answer

Occupational status and educational attainment

Answer

Inheritance and occupational status

Question 6

Which challenge is likely to hinder the implementation of effective policies aimed at reducing inequality?

Accepted Answer

Combination of all the above

Answer

Political polarization

Answer

Lack of public support

Answer

Insufficient resources

Question 7

Which strategy has the potential to reduce poverty?

Accepted Answer

Implementing all of the above

Answer

Expanding access to affordable healthcare

Answer

Investing in quality education

Answer

Providing affordable housing options

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT considered a major cause of poverty in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Personal choices and behaviors

Answer

Lack of education and job opportunities

Answer

Racial and ethnic discrimination

Answer

Government policies

Question 9

According to the concept of structural inequality, poverty is primarily caused by:

Accepted Answer

Systemic factors such as racial discrimination and lack of access to resources

Answer

Individual choices and behaviors

Answer

Natural disasters and unexpected life events

Answer

Government policies that favor the wealthy

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Answer

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Answer

Medicaid

Answer

Social Security

Question 11

The concept of relative poverty defines poverty as:

Accepted Answer

Being significantly below the average living standard of a society

Answer

Having an income below the official poverty line

Answer

Being unable to meet basic needs

Answer

Experiencing severe hardship

Question 12

The primary goal of social welfare policy is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide assistance to those in need

Answer

Promote economic growth

Answer

Reduce government spending

Answer

Protect the rights of individuals

Question 13

What term describes the unequal distribution of wealth and resources in a society?

Accepted Answer

Inequality

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Economic disparity

Answer

Resource scarcity

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of poverty?

Accepted Answer

Increased access to education

Answer

Poor health and nutrition

Answer

Social exclusion and stigma

Answer

Limited employment opportunities

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT an example of a policy aimed at reducing poverty?

Accepted Answer

Tax cuts for wealthy individuals

Answer

Minimum wage laws

Answer

Affordable housing programs

Answer

Universal basic income

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a viable solution to reducing poverty and inequality?

Accepted Answer

Reducing taxes for wealthy individuals and corporations

Answer

Expanding access to affordable housing options

Answer

Providing comprehensive job training and placement programs

Answer

Raising the minimum wage to a living wage

Question 17

Which sociological perspective emphasizes the influence of social structures and systems in shaping individual experiences of poverty?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Feminist theory

Question 18

In sociological studies, which crucial concept helps define poverty?

Accepted Answer

Relative deprivation

Answer

Economic mobility

Answer

Intersectionality

Answer

Social stratification

Question 19

What key characteristic distinguishes structural inequality from other forms?

Accepted Answer

Its deep-rooted nature within societal institutions and structures

Answer

It stems from individual choices and behaviors

Answer

It can be easily overcome through individual effort

Answer

It primarily affects the wealthy and privileged

Question 20

How does poverty limit an individual's access to essential resources and opportunities?

Accepted Answer

Poverty restricts access to quality education, affordable healthcare, and stable employment.

Answer

Poverty promotes personal growth and enhances social mobility.

Answer

Poverty has no impact on access to education, healthcare, or employment opportunities.

Question 21

Income inequality can lead to which potential consequence?

Accepted Answer

Increased social unrest and political instability

Answer

Increased economic mobility

Answer

Reduced crime rates

Answer

Improved healthcare outcomes

Question 22

One criticism of the 'culture of poverty' concept is that

Accepted Answer

It places blame on the poor for their circumstances and overlooks structural inequalities

Answer

It encourages social programs to support the poor

Answer

It provides a useful explanation for the persistence of poverty

Question 23

A key distinction between poverty and inequality is that

Accepted Answer

Poverty refers to absolute deprivation, while inequality refers to the distribution of resources

Answer

Poverty is only an issue in developing countries, while inequality is a problem everywhere

Answer

Poverty is a temporary condition, while inequality is permanent

Question 24

Which of the following is a key concept in addressing income inequality?

Accepted Answer

Progressive taxation, where individuals with higher incomes pay a greater proportion of their earnings in taxes

Answer

Trickle-down economics, which assumes that benefits for the wealthy will eventually trickle down to those at the bottom

Answer

Free market capitalism, which promotes minimal government intervention and reliance on market forces

Answer

Laissez-faire policies, which advocate for limited government involvement in the economy

Question 25

What is the primary goal of a poverty reduction strategy?

Accepted Answer

To improve the lives and well-being of people living in poverty by addressing the root causes and providing support

Answer

To reduce the government's budget deficit by cutting social programs and assistance

Answer

To eliminate poverty completely, which may not be a realistic or achievable goal

Question 26

Which of the following is a potential solution to address wealth inequality?

Accepted Answer

Progressive taxation policies that redistribute wealth through higher taxes on the affluent and minimum wage policies that support low-income earners

Answer

Privatization of public services, which may lead to unequal access and decreased affordability

Answer

Deregulation of financial markets, which has historically contributed to wealth concentration

Answer

Reducing government spending on social programs, which could exacerbate poverty and hardship

Question 27

What is the concept of relative poverty?

Accepted Answer

Poverty defined in relation to the average living standards of a particular society at a given time

Answer

Poverty caused by personal failures or laziness, which is a stigmatizing and inaccurate view

Answer

Poverty defined by an absolute lack of basic necessities, which is a more severe and extreme form of poverty

Question 28

Which of the following is a characteristic of structural poverty?

Accepted Answer

Deep-rooted and systemic barriers, such as lack of affordable housing, inadequate job opportunities, and unequal access to education

Answer

Poverty caused by personal choices or circumstances, which oversimplifies the complex causes of poverty

Answer

Poverty experienced by a small, isolated group of individuals, which may be due to specific circumstances

Question 29

What is a major impact of poverty on education?

Accepted Answer

Increased likelihood of school dropout, lower academic achievement, and limited access to higher education opportunities

Answer

Improved academic performance due to increased motivation, which is not a common or typical consequence of poverty

Answer

No significant impact on educational outcomes, which is inaccurate and overlooks the challenges faced by students from disadvantaged backgrounds

Question 30

Which of the following is a potential benefit of income redistribution policies?

Accepted Answer

Curbing income inequality and promoting upward economic mobility

Answer

Increase poverty and foster dependency on government assistance

Answer

Hinder economic growth and innovation

Question 31

What is the primary function of social safety nets in mitigating poverty?

Accepted Answer

Provide essential services and financial support to individuals with low income

Answer

Encourage dependency and perpetuate poverty

Answer

Discourage work ethic and self-reliance

Question 32

What is the ethical dimension of poverty?

Accepted Answer

The societal obligation to address the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities

Answer

Poverty is solely the responsibility of individuals and charitable organizations

Answer

Poverty is a result of personal choices and accountability

Question 33

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can contribute to poverty?

Accepted Answer

Sustained and robust economic growth

Answer

Limited access to education and job training

Answer

Discrimination and systemic barriers

Answer

Unemployment and underemployment

Question 34

Which of the following is a potential solution to address poverty?

Accepted Answer

Expanding access to quality education, training, and employment opportunities

Answer

Reducing taxes exclusively for high-income earners

Answer

Increasing military expenditure and defense budgets

Answer

Eliminating social welfare programs and safety nets

Question 35

What is the distinction between absolute and relative poverty?

Accepted Answer

Absolute poverty refers to the inability to meet basic human needs, while relative poverty refers to income below a certain percentage of the median income in a society.

Answer

Relative poverty is always more severe than absolute poverty.

Question 36

Which of the following is a characteristic of a society with high inequality?

Accepted Answer

A significant income gap between the wealthiest and poorest segments of the population

Answer

Universal access to healthcare and essential services

Answer

Low levels of crime and social disorder

Question 37

How does social mobility contribute to reducing poverty?

Accepted Answer

It provides individuals with opportunities to improve their economic status and escape poverty

Answer

It has no direct impact on poverty reduction

Answer

It primarily benefits those who are already wealthy and privileged

Question 38

What is the widely recognized relationship between poverty and health outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Poverty is strongly associated with worse health outcomes due to factors such as lack of access to healthcare, limited healthy food options, and stressful living conditions.

Answer

Poverty has no impact on health outcomes.

Answer

Poverty often leads to improved health outcomes.

Question 39

Which of the following is a major criticism of trickle-down economics?

Accepted Answer

It often fails to reduce poverty and inequality, while benefiting the wealthy more than the poor.

Answer

It is always successful in stimulating economic growth.

Answer

It is based on sound economic principles.

Question 40

Explain the concept of intersectionality in relation to poverty and inequality.

Accepted Answer

Intersectionality recognizes that individuals may experience multiple forms of discrimination and disadvantage, such as based on race, gender, and socioeconomic status, which can compound their experiences of poverty and inequality.

Answer

Intersectionality is a new concept that has not yet been widely accepted by researchers.

Answer

Intersectionality only applies to racial discrimination.

Question 41

Which of the following is NOT considered a primary cause of poverty in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Excessive government spending

Answer

Insufficient social safety net

Answer

Lack of education and job skills

Answer

Structural racism and discrimination

Question 42

Identify a key consequence of income inequality.

Accepted Answer

Increased social unrest and political instability

Answer

Improved education outcomes for all

Answer

Enhanced social cohesion

Answer

Boosted economic growth for all

Question 43

Which of the following is a potential solution to address child poverty?

Accepted Answer

Expanding access to quality early childhood education and childcare

Answer

Reducing social welfare programs for families

Answer

Deregulating the financial industry

Answer

Cutting taxes primarily for wealthy individuals and corporations

Question 44

Define the characteristics of absolute poverty.

Accepted Answer

Absolute poverty refers to the severe deprivation of basic necessities, such as adequate food, clean water, sanitation, and shelter.

Answer

Absolute poverty is limited to developing countries.

Answer

Absolute poverty is a measure of relative deprivation compared to others in society.

Question 45

Which of the following is a widely used indicator to measure income inequality?

Accepted Answer

Gini coefficient

Answer

GDP per capita

Answer

Human Development Index

Answer

Consumer Price Index

Question 46

Identify a criticism of trickle-down economics as a solution to poverty.

Accepted Answer

It often fails to benefit the poorest members of society, while exacerbating income inequality.

Answer

It encourages innovation

Answer

It promotes economic growth for all

Answer

It reduces government spending

Question 47

How does poverty impact educational attainment?

Accepted Answer

Poverty can lead to increased dropout rates, reduced academic achievement, and limited access to higher education due to financial constraints and other challenges.

Answer

Poverty has no impact on educational attainment.

Answer

Poverty often enhances access to higher education.

Answer

Poverty improves academic performance.

Question 48

Which of the following factors significantly contributes to wealth inequality in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Inheritance and generational wealth

Answer

Equal access to education

Answer

Strong labor unions

Answer

Progressive tax policies

Question 49

What is a key argument for addressing income inequality in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Reducing income inequality can promote social justice and stability.

Answer

Addressing income inequality boosts economic growth.

Answer

Addressing income inequality reduces government spending.

Question 50

What is the primary purpose of the 'poverty line' in the United States?

Accepted Answer

To determine the minimum income needed to meet basic needs for a family.

Answer

To track the inflation rate over time.

Answer

To measure the wealth of the richest individuals in society.

Question 51

The Gini coefficient is a measure that quantifies:

Accepted Answer

Income inequality within a population.

Answer

The distribution of wealth across generations.

Answer

The rate of economic growth.

Answer

The overall level of poverty.

Question 52

Which of the following policies is most likely to directly reduce income inequality in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Progressive taxation, where higher earners pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes.

Answer

Tax cuts for corporations.

Answer

Deregulation of the financial industry.

Answer

Privatization of public services.

Question 53

The 'cycle of poverty' describes:

Accepted Answer

The intergenerational transmission of poverty due to factors like limited access to resources and opportunities.

Answer

The seasonal fluctuations in poverty rates.

Question 54

Which of the following is a potential consequence of high levels of income inequality in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Increased social unrest and instability.

Answer

Improved economic growth.

Answer

Lower crime rates.

Answer

Enhanced social mobility.

Question 55

The 'absolute poverty line' is defined as:

Accepted Answer

The minimum income needed to meet basic survival needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing.

Answer

A relative measure based on the average income of a population.

Answer

A threshold based on the cost of housing in a particular region.

Question 56

A study that examines the impact of poverty on the health outcomes of children in the United States is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Applied sociology, as it uses sociological knowledge to address a real-world issue.

Answer

Theoretical sociology, as it focuses on developing abstract concepts and theories.

Answer

Quantitative sociology, as it focuses on numerical data.

Answer

Qualitative sociology, as it focuses on in-depth understanding of social phenomena.

Question 57

Which of the following is an example of an asset-based community development strategy aimed at addressing poverty?

Accepted Answer

Creating microfinance programs to provide loans to low-income entrepreneurs, empowering them to build assets and improve their economic situation.

Answer

Expanding welfare programs.

Answer

Increasing the minimum wage.