Question 1

After the election of 2004, President George W. Bush announced that ______ would be the centerpiece of his domestic policy.

Accepted Answer

A)  tax reform 
B)  education 
C)  Social Security reform 
D)  land management 
E)  war on terrorism 
A)  tax reform 
B)  education 
C)  Social Security reform 
D)  land management 
E)  war on terrorism

Question 2

When was Medicare established?

Accepted Answer

A)  1888 
B)  1933 
C)  1942 
D)  1965 
E)  1994 
A)  1888 
B)  1933 
C)  1942 
D)  1965 
E)  1994

Question 3

In 2007 and 2008, the government faced a housing crisis caused by

Accepted Answer

A)  sharp rises in house prices. 
B)  foreclosures. 
C)  a scarcity of affordable housing. 
D)  shortages in the timber industry. 
E)  an incredible drop in the stock market. 
A)  sharp rises in house prices. 
B)  foreclosures. 
C)  a scarcity of affordable housing. 
D)  shortages in the timber industry. 
E)  an incredible drop in the stock market.

Question 4

Since the mid-1990s, by how much has the number of welfare recipients declined in the United States?

Accepted Answer

A)  between 5 and 10 percent 
B)  between 20 and 30 percent 
C)  over 50 percent 
D)  The number of welfare recipients has actually risen 5 percent since the mid-1990s. 
E)  over 80 percent 
A)  between 5 and 10 percent 
B)  between 20 and 30 percent 
C)  over 50 percent 
D)  The number of welfare recipients has actually risen 5 percent since the mid-1990s. 
E)  over 80 percent

Question 5

A cost-of-living adjustment is based on

Accepted Answer

A)  the financing approved by Congress during each session. 
B)  the rate of inflation. 
C)  the relationship between the level of the federal deficit compared to the nation's gross national product. 
D)  the changing needs of each recipient. 
E)  the unemployment rate. 
A)  the financing approved by Congress during each session. 
B)  the rate of inflation. 
C)  the relationship between the level of the federal deficit compared to the nation's gross national product. 
D)  the changing needs of each recipient. 
E)  the unemployment rate.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about the No Child Left Behind Act is false?

Accepted Answer

A)  It was the signature education act of George W. Bush. 
B)  It increased the role of the federal government in education policy. 
C)  It requires that students be tested every year for proficiency in math and reading. 
D)  It creates a standard national test for all students. 
E)  Many states considered it an unfunded mandate. 
A)  It was the signature education act of George W. Bush. 
B)  It increased the role of the federal government in education policy. 
C)  It requires that students be tested every year for proficiency in math and reading. 
D)  It creates a standard national test for all students. 
E)  Many states considered it an unfunded mandate.

Question 7

Which group was one of the first to receive government assistance throughout the United States?

Accepted Answer

A)  African Americans, after the Civil War 
B)  mothers with dependent children 
C)  the unemployed 
D)  newly arriving immigrants 
E)  veterans coming back from World War I 
A)  African Americans, after the Civil War 
B)  mothers with dependent children 
C)  the unemployed 
D)  newly arriving immigrants 
E)  veterans coming back from World War I

Question 8

According to the text, why is it difficult to lobby for the interests of poor children?

Accepted Answer

A)  There are no longer enough poor children to make a difference. 
B)  Children cannot vote. 
C)  There are no interest groups devoted to poor children. 
D)  American political values tend to discount the needs of youth. 
E)  Most poor children live in foreign countries. 
A)  There are no longer enough poor children to make a difference. 
B)  Children cannot vote. 
C)  There are no interest groups devoted to poor children. 
D)  American political values tend to discount the needs of youth. 
E)  Most poor children live in foreign countries.

Question 9

Which of the following groups are more than twice as likely as other Americans to be below the poverty line?

Accepted Answer

A)  African Americans 
B)  children 
C)  the elderly 
D)  Hispanics and Latinos 
E)  single mothers 
A)  African Americans 
B)  children 
C)  the elderly 
D)  Hispanics and Latinos 
E)  single mothers

Question 10

The idea that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to achieve their goals is called

Accepted Answer

A)  in-kind benefits. 
B)  equality of opportunity. 
C)  outdoor relief. 
D)  contributory system. 
E)  equality of results. 
A)  in-kind benefits. 
B)  equality of opportunity. 
C)  outdoor relief. 
D)  contributory system. 
E)  equality of results.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about Social Security is false?

Accepted Answer

A)  Social Security was established in 1935. 
B)  It is a program based on forced savings. 
C)  Contributors receive benefits in strict proportion to their contribution. 
D)  Social Security redistributes wealth from younger workers to older retirees. 
E)  It is a fairly popular program among U.S. citizens. 
A)  Social Security was established in 1935. 
B)  It is a program based on forced savings. 
C)  Contributors receive benefits in strict proportion to their contribution. 
D)  Social Security redistributes wealth from younger workers to older retirees. 
E)  It is a fairly popular program among U.S. citizens.

Question 12

What important noncontributory program was abolished by Congress in 1996?

Accepted Answer

A)  food stamps 
B)  Medicaid 
C)  Aid to Families with Dependent Children 
D)  Temporary Assistance to Needy Families 
E)  Social Security 
A)  food stamps 
B)  Medicaid 
C)  Aid to Families with Dependent Children 
D)  Temporary Assistance to Needy Families 
E)  Social Security

Question 13

Which of the following social policies is currently the most costly to the government?

Accepted Answer

A)  Social Security 
B)  food stamps 
C)  public housing assistance 
D)  Temporary Assistance to Needy Families 
E)  Medicare 
A)  Social Security 
B)  food stamps 
C)  public housing assistance 
D)  Temporary Assistance to Needy Families 
E)  Medicare

Question 14

Which of the following is the best example of the shadow welfare state?

Accepted Answer

A)  soup kitchens supported by local churches 
B)  food stamps 
C)  workplace medical insurance 
D)  cost-of-living adjustments 
E)  Medicaid 
A)  soup kitchens supported by local churches 
B)  food stamps 
C)  workplace medical insurance 
D)  cost-of-living adjustments 
E)  Medicaid

Question 15

The goals of social policy

Accepted Answer

A)  reflect changing views about which risks should be borne by the individual or shared by society. 
B)  have been consistent since the early twentieth century. 
C)  are determined by the political party that controls the White House. 
D)  are clearly laid out in the Constitution. 
E)  are consistent across the different states of the United States. 
A)  reflect changing views about which risks should be borne by the individual or shared by society. 
B)  have been consistent since the early twentieth century. 
C)  are determined by the political party that controls the White House. 
D)  are clearly laid out in the Constitution. 
E)  are consistent across the different states of the United States.

Question 16

How did the Great Depression change American attitudes about welfare?

Accepted Answer

A)  It showed that the government could efficiently distribute public assistance. 
B)  It demonstrated that the government could choose between the deserving and undeserving poor in a more objective manner than private charities. 
C)  It revealed that poverty could be caused by a flawed economic system, not just by personal irresponsibility. 
D)  It revealed that local governments were too corrupt to be trusted with welfare policies. 
E)  It showed that government was not as capable in taking care of the poor as private charities. 
A)  It showed that the government could efficiently distribute public assistance. 
B)  It demonstrated that the government could choose between the deserving and undeserving poor in a more objective manner than private charities. 
C)  It revealed that poverty could be caused by a flawed economic system, not just by personal irresponsibility. 
D)  It revealed that local governments were too corrupt to be trusted with welfare policies. 
E)  It showed that government was not as capable in taking care of the poor as private charities.

Question 17

Which of the following is not a reason the working poor receive such a small amount of social policy benefits?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are often too poor to enjoy the subsidies of the shadow welfare state. 
B)  Because they are employed, they cannot receive assistance through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. 
C)  The working poor are not a well-organized political force. 
D)  The working poor are often considered undeserving by public opinion. 
E)  They are often renters and do not benefit from government programs that help homeowners. 
A)  They are often too poor to enjoy the subsidies of the shadow welfare state. 
B)  Because they are employed, they cannot receive assistance through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. 
C)  The working poor are not a well-organized political force. 
D)  The working poor are often considered undeserving by public opinion. 
E)  They are often renters and do not benefit from government programs that help homeowners.

Question 18

Since the welfare reforms of 1996, what is the primary reason for receiving federal cash assistance if one is nonworking and able-bodied?

Accepted Answer

A)  The recipient is caring for children. 
B)  The recipient is going to school or in a job-training program. 
C)  The recipient has been means tested. 
D)  The recipient has been considered deserving. 
E)  The recipient is actively looking for a job. 
A)  The recipient is caring for children. 
B)  The recipient is going to school or in a job-training program. 
C)  The recipient has been means tested. 
D)  The recipient has been considered deserving. 
E)  The recipient is actively looking for a job.

Question 19

Which of the following is not a reason why the No Child Left Behind Act has been controversial?

Accepted Answer

A)  Many states branded it an unfunded mandate. 
B)  Teachers argued that "teaching to the test" undermined critical thinking skills. 
C)  The standards were too lenient and almost every school met them easily. 
D)  It vastly increased the role of the federal government in the public school system. 
E)  The states were made responsible for setting standards and devising appropriate tests. 
A)  Many states branded it an unfunded mandate. 
B)  Teachers argued that "teaching to the test" undermined critical thinking skills. 
C)  The standards were too lenient and almost every school met them easily. 
D)  It vastly increased the role of the federal government in the public school system. 
E)  The states were made responsible for setting standards and devising appropriate tests.

Question 20

The "individual mandate" refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  the requirement that Medicare cover all individuals living in the United States by 2014. 
B)  a tax credit that is given to all people who are unemployed and do not have health insurance coverage. 
C)  the requirement that uninsured individuals purchase health insurance. 
D)  the requirement that health insurance companies accept all applicants, regardless of preexisting conditions. 
E)  a system of health care where the government owns and operates all medical facilities. 
A)  the requirement that Medicare cover all individuals living in the United States by 2014. 
B)  a tax credit that is given to all people who are unemployed and do not have health insurance coverage. 
C)  the requirement that uninsured individuals purchase health insurance. 
D)  the requirement that health insurance companies accept all applicants, regardless of preexisting conditions. 
E)  a system of health care where the government owns and operates all medical facilities.

Exam 17: Social Policy

After the election of 2004, President George W. Bush announced that ______ would be the centerpiece of his domestic policy.

When was Medicare established?

In 2007 and 2008, the government faced a housing crisis caused by

Since the mid-1990s, by how much has the number of welfare recipients declined in the United States?

A cost-of-living adjustment is based on

Which of the following statements about the No Child Left Behind Act is false?

Which group was one of the first to receive government assistance throughout the United States?

According to the text, why is it difficult to lobby for the interests of poor children?

Which of the following groups are more than twice as likely as other Americans to be below the poverty line?

The idea that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to achieve their goals is called

Which of the following statements about Social Security is false?

What important noncontributory program was abolished by Congress in 1996?

Which of the following social policies is currently the most costly to the government?

Which of the following is the best example of the shadow welfare state?

The goals of social policy

How did the Great Depression change American attitudes about welfare?

Which of the following is not a reason the working poor receive such a small amount of social policy benefits?

Since the welfare reforms of 1996, what is the primary reason for receiving federal cash assistance if one is nonworking and able-bodied?

Which of the following is not a reason why the No Child Left Behind Act has been controversial?

The "individual mandate" refers to

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