Poverty and Inequality: Causes, Impacts, and Solutions

Question 1

How does social exclusion impact the well-being of people living in poverty?

Accepted Answer

It can increase the risk of physical and mental health issues.

Answer

It can boost self-esteem and empowerment.

Answer

It can improve access to education and job opportunities.

Answer

It can increase participation in social and community activities.

Question 2

Which of the following is a key indicator of poverty?

Accepted Answer

Lack of access to basic necessities (e.g., food, clean water, shelter)

Answer

Stable employment

Answer

Good health

Answer

High levels of education

Question 3

Which theory suggests that poverty is primarily caused by a lack of motivation and self-reliance among individuals?

Accepted Answer

Culture of Poverty Theory

Answer

Structuralist Theory

Answer

Modernization Theory

Answer

Dependency Theory

Question 4

What is a key consequence of poverty on individuals?

Accepted Answer

Increased risk of health problems (e.g., malnutrition, chronic diseases)

Answer

Enhanced social mobility

Answer

Improved educational opportunities

Answer

Greater access to technology

Question 5

Which of the following is a potential government policy to reduce income inequality?

Accepted Answer

Progressive taxation (i.e., higher taxes on higher incomes)

Answer

Deregulating the economy

Answer

Reducing government spending on social welfare programs

Answer

Abolishing minimum wage laws

Question 6

What is a criticism of trickle-down economics as a strategy for reducing poverty?

Accepted Answer

It often benefits the wealthy more than the poor.

Answer

It reduces government debt.

Answer

It creates jobs in the long run.

Answer

It stimulates economic growth.

Question 7

Which of the following is a key factor contributing to poverty in developing countries?

Accepted Answer

Political instability (e.g., war, corruption)

Answer

High levels of industrialization

Answer

Well-developed healthcare systems

Answer

Abundant natural resources

Question 8

What is a potential benefit of social safety nets in addressing poverty?

Accepted Answer

Providing a financial safety net during economic downturns and personal emergencies

Answer

Promoting economic growth

Answer

Eliminating the need for social services

Question 9

Which of the following is a characteristic of absolute poverty?

Accepted Answer

Lack of basic necessities for survival (e.g., food, water, shelter)

Answer

Fluctuating levels of income

Answer

Relative deprivation compared to others

Answer

Perceived social exclusion

Question 10

What is a key ethical argument for addressing poverty and inequality?

Accepted Answer

It promotes social justice and equality of opportunity for all

Answer

It enhances the reputation of a country

Answer

It reduces crime and social unrest

Answer

It stimulates economic growth

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a major cause of poverty?

Accepted Answer

Lack of personal initiative

Answer

Unemployment

Answer

Low education levels

Answer

Discrimination

Question 12

Which of the following best defines relative poverty?

Accepted Answer

Poverty defined in relation to the economic and social conditions prevailing in a specific society

Answer

Poverty defined by the absolute lack of basic necessities

Answer

Poverty defined by earning below a specific income threshold

Question 13

Which of the following is a potential consequence of inequality on society?

Accepted Answer

Social unrest and political instability

Answer

Improved educational opportunities for all

Answer

Lower crime rates

Answer

Higher economic growth

Question 14

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of a welfare state?

Accepted Answer

Provides a social safety net to protect citizens from economic and social risks

Answer

Focuses primarily on economic growth with limited social welfare provisions

Answer

Relies solely on private charities and voluntary organizations to address poverty and inequality

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Benefits may not reach the most vulnerable groups in society

Answer

Stimulates economic growth

Answer

Reduces unemployment

Answer

Promotes economic equality

Question 16

Which of the following is a key argument in favor of progressive taxation?

Accepted Answer

It ensures that individuals with higher incomes contribute a larger share to society

Answer

It simplifies the tax system

Answer

It reduces tax evasion

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Expanding access to quality education and early childhood interventions

Answer

Reducing immigration

Answer

Increasing penalties for parents of children living in poverty

Question 18

Which of the following is a key challenge in achieving equality of opportunity?

Accepted Answer

Barriers to social mobility, such as unequal access to quality education and healthcare

Answer

Lack of political will

Answer

Insufficient financial resources

Question 19

Which of the following is a potential ethical concern related to poverty?

Accepted Answer

Denial of basic human rights and dignity

Answer

Reduced economic productivity

Answer

Increased likelihood of criminal activity

Answer

Threat to national security

Question 20

Which of the following is considered a key indicator of poverty?

Accepted Answer

Access to basic necessities

Answer

Level of education

Answer

Political participation

Answer

Religious affiliation

Question 21

What is a common consequence of income inequality?

Accepted Answer

Social exclusion

Answer

Increased social mobility

Answer

Economic growth

Answer

Reduced government spending

Question 22

Which sociological theory attributes poverty to individual characteristics?

Accepted Answer

Culture of poverty theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionist theory

Answer

Structuralist theory

Answer

Conflict theory

Question 23

What is a potential benefit of social welfare programs in addressing poverty?

Accepted Answer

Providing a safety net for those in need

Answer

Eliminating income inequality

Answer

Reducing the role of government

Answer

Encouraging individual self-sufficiency

Question 24

What is a potential consequence of relative poverty?

Accepted Answer

Social exclusion

Answer

Absolute deprivation

Answer

Improved health outcomes

Answer

Increased political participation

Question 25

What is a key difference between absolute and relative poverty?

Accepted Answer

Absolute poverty refers to a lack of basic necessities, while relative poverty refers to a lack of resources compared to others in society.

Answer

Absolute poverty is more common in developing countries, while relative poverty is more common in developed countries.

Question 26

Which of the following perspectives emphasizes the role of social structures in perpetuating poverty and inequality?

Accepted Answer

Structural Functionalism

Answer

Rational Choice Theory

Answer

Feminist Theory

Answer

Symbolic Interactionism

Question 27

The concept of 'relative poverty' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Living below a certain standard of living compared to others in a society.

Answer

Living below a fixed income threshold that defines basic needs.

Answer

Experiencing poverty due to a lack of access to education or healthcare.

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT considered a major factor contributing to income inequality in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Government subsidies for low-income families

Answer

Deregulation of financial markets and the growth of the finance sector

Answer

The rise of automation and technological advancements

Answer

Declining union membership and bargaining power

Question 29

The 'culture of poverty' theory argues that:

Accepted Answer

Poverty is perpetuated by values and behaviors specific to poor communities.

Answer

Poverty is primarily caused by systemic factors like discrimination.

Answer

Poverty is a result of individual choices and lack of effort.

Question 30

Which of the following government policies is aimed at reducing poverty?

Accepted Answer

Universal Basic Income

Answer

Tax cuts for high-income earners

Answer

Reducing welfare benefits

Answer

Privatization of public services

Question 31

The Gini coefficient is a measure of:

Accepted Answer

Income inequality

Answer

Inflation rate

Answer

Economic growth

Answer

Poverty rate

Question 32

Which of the following groups is disproportionately affected by poverty in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Single mothers

Answer

University graduates

Answer

People with high school diplomas

Answer

White-collar workers

Question 33

The concept of 'social mobility' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The ability of individuals to move up or down the social ladder.

Answer

The rate of population growth in a society.

Answer

The level of education attainment in a society.

Question 34

Which of the following is an example of a social policy aimed at promoting equality of opportunity?

Accepted Answer

Free access to early childhood education

Answer

Tax cuts for the wealthy

Answer

Privatization of healthcare

Answer

Reducing the minimum wage

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT considered a key factor contributing to the persistence of poverty in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Government subsidies for renewable energy

Answer

Discrimination based on race, gender, or disability

Answer

High rates of unemployment and underemployment

Answer

Limited access to education and training

Question 36

The concept of 'relative poverty' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Living below a certain standard of living compared to the majority in a society

Answer

Being unable to afford essential goods and services in any country

Answer

Experiencing absolute deprivation and lack of basic necessities

Question 37

Which theoretical perspective argues that inequality is necessary for societal progress, motivating individuals to strive for higher positions?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Conflict Theory

Answer

Feminist Theory

Question 38

The Gini coefficient is a measure of:

Accepted Answer

Income inequality within a population

Answer

Poverty rates in a given region

Answer

Social mobility between generations

Answer

Government spending on welfare programs

Question 39

The 'culture of poverty' argument suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Poverty is perpetuated by attitudes and behaviors passed down through generations

Answer

Poverty is primarily caused by structural factors such as inequality

Answer

Poverty is a temporary condition that can be overcome through hard work

Question 40

What is the significance of the 'feminization of poverty'?

Accepted Answer

Women are disproportionately represented among the poor due to factors like gender pay gaps and childcare responsibilities

Answer

Women are more likely to be employed in low-wage sectors

Question 41

The 'trickle-down' effect is a concept associated with:

Accepted Answer

The idea that economic growth at the top will eventually benefit all levels of society

Answer

The expansion of social welfare programs to reduce poverty

Answer

The progressive taxation of wealth and income

Question 42

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of high levels of inequality in a society?

Accepted Answer

Increased social mobility and opportunities for advancement

Answer

Higher crime rates and social unrest

Answer

Poorer health outcomes for disadvantaged groups

Question 43

The term 'social exclusion' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Individuals or groups being marginalized from full participation in society

Answer

The segregation of different social classes in a community

Answer

The decline of social networks and community ties

Question 44

Which of the following is NOT considered a major factor contributing to poverty and inequality in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Natural Disasters

Answer

Lack of affordable housing

Answer

Discrimination based on race, gender, or disability

Answer

Unequal access to education

Question 45

The 'relative poverty' measure defines poverty based on:

Accepted Answer

A person's income compared to the median income in their society

Answer

The cost of essential goods and services

Answer

A fixed, absolute minimum income level

Question 46

The 'culture of poverty' theory argues that poverty is perpetuated by:

Accepted Answer

Values and behaviors that are passed down through generations

Answer

Structural inequalities in the economy and society

Answer

Lack of access to social welfare programs

Question 47

Which of the following is an example of a social welfare program aimed at reducing poverty?

Accepted Answer

Universal Credit

Answer

Tax cuts for high earners

Answer

Deregulation of the financial sector

Answer

Increased military spending

Question 48

The Gini coefficient is a measure of:

Accepted Answer

Income inequality within a population

Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Poverty rates

Answer

Economic growth

Question 49

Which social theorist is known for their work on 'the cycle of poverty' and 'the culture of poverty'?

Accepted Answer

Oscar Lewis

Answer

Max Weber

Answer

Emile Durkheim

Answer

Karl Marx

Question 50

The term 'absolute poverty' refers to:

Accepted Answer

A fixed standard of living that is considered essential for survival

Answer

A person's income compared to the average income in their society

Answer

The lack of access to social services and public goods

Question 51

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of poverty?

Accepted Answer

Increased life expectancy

Answer

Higher crime rates

Answer

Lower educational attainment

Answer

Poor health outcomes

Question 52

The 'feminization of poverty' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The disproportionate impact of poverty on women

Answer

The rise of single-parent households

Answer

The decline of traditional gender roles

Answer

The increasing number of women in the workforce

Question 53

Which of the following is a potential solution to address poverty and inequality, as proposed by contemporary sociologists?

Accepted Answer

Investing in social programs and public services

Answer

Privatization of public services

Answer

Deregulation of labor markets

Answer

Reducing taxes for the wealthy