Poverty and Social Welfare: Causes, Consequences, and Policy Responses

Question 1

The concept of 'relative poverty' refers to a situation where individuals or households:

Accepted Answer

Have an income below a certain percentage of the median income in their society

Answer

Have insufficient income to meet their basic needs

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Perceive themselves to be poor

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Are unemployed and rely on government assistance

Question 2

The 'workfare' approach to social welfare emphasizes:

Accepted Answer

Providing benefits only to those who are actively seeking employment or participating in job training programs

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Providing unconditional cash transfers without requiring work or training

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Focusing on long-term support and rehabilitation services

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Reducing the role of government in welfare provision

Question 3

The 'social determinants of health' framework suggests that health outcomes are primarily influenced by:

Accepted Answer

A range of social, economic, and environmental factors such as income, education, and access to healthcare

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Individual behavior and lifestyle choices

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Government health policies and regulations

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Genetic factors and biological predispositions

Question 4

The term 'working poor' refers to individuals who:

Accepted Answer

Are employed full-time but still earn below the poverty line

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Receive government assistance while also working

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Are unemployed and actively seeking work

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Are homeless and living on the streets

Question 5

The 'feminization of poverty' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The disproportionate impact of poverty on women and girls due to factors such as gender discrimination and unpaid care work

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The increasing proportion of women living in poverty compared to men

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The role of women in perpetuating poverty through their choices and behaviors

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The lack of government policies and programs specifically designed to address women's poverty

Question 6

The primary aim of the welfare state in the United Kingdom is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide a safety net for those facing financial difficulties

Answer

Eliminate poverty entirely in the country

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Promote self-sufficiency among individuals

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Punish those who cannot sustain themselves financially

Question 7

The concept of 'social justice' in relation to poverty encompasses:

Accepted Answer

The equitable distribution of resources and opportunities

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Ensuring identical outcomes for all individuals

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Safeguarding property rights

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Punishing individuals deemed responsible for their own poverty

Question 8

Research indicates that the most effective long-term approach to reducing poverty involves:

Accepted Answer

Investing in education and workforce training

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Increasing social welfare benefits

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Providing tax breaks to wealthy individuals

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Enforcing stricter immigration controls

Question 9

The term 'relative poverty' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Poverty defined by comparison to the living standards of others in society

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Poverty defined by a lack of fundamental necessities

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Poverty defined by a lack of opportunities for advancement

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Poverty defined by government regulations

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a widely recognized primary determinant of poverty?

Accepted Answer

Genetic predisposition

Answer

Lack of education

Answer

Social inequality

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Government policies

Question 11

Which of the following theories emphasizes the role of structural inequalities in perpetuating poverty?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Functionalist theory

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Symbolic interactionist theory

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Rational choice theory

Question 12

Which health condition is most closely linked to prolonged poverty?

Accepted Answer

Mental illness

Answer

Cancer

Answer

Heart disease

Answer

Diabetes

Question 13

Select the characteristic of a progressive tax system.

Accepted Answer

Higher incomes are taxed at a higher rate

Answer

Lower incomes are taxed at a higher rate

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All incomes are taxed equally

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Taxes are based on consumption

Question 14

Define the concept of relative poverty.

Accepted Answer

Deprivation in comparison to others in society

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Deprivation of fundamental necessities

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Inadequate access to healthcare

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Unemployment

Question 15

Select the example of a universal social welfare policy.

Accepted Answer

Access to healthcare for all

Answer

Benefits based on income

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Social security benefits

Answer

Housing subsidies

Question 16

Explain the concept of social capital.

Accepted Answer

Networks and resources accessible to individuals

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Level of education and skills in a society

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Amount of wealth possessed by a society

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Quality of the physical environment

Question 17

Define the concept of social mobility.

Accepted Answer

Movement of individuals and groups within the social hierarchy

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Degree of equality in a society

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Ability of individuals to access opportunities and resources

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Economic growth rate of a society

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

Climate change

Answer

Low wages

Answer

High levels of unemployment

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Discrimination

Question 19

What is the primary goal of social welfare policies in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

To provide a safety net for those facing financial hardship

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To eliminate poverty

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To reduce income inequality

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To promote economic growth

Question 20

True or False: The concept of 'welfare dependency' is often used to justify cuts in social welfare spending.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 21

True or False: Poverty is solely caused by individual choices and behaviors.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 22

True or False: Social welfare policies can have unintended, negative consequences.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 23

The Beveridge Report (1942) had a profound influence on social welfare policies in the UK. Which of the following principles was NOT included in the report?

Accepted Answer

Emphasis on means-testing

Answer

Universal provision of social security benefits

Answer

Categorization of benefits based on need

Answer

Prevention of poverty through employment

Question 24

Poverty can have severe consequences. Which of the following is NOT a potential impact of poverty?

Accepted Answer

Improved educational attainment

Answer

Poor health

Answer

Social exclusion

Answer

Mental health issues

Question 25

In sociological analysis, 'relative deprivation' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The feeling of being worse off than others in society

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The experience of absolute poverty

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The lack of access to basic necessities

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The stigma associated with poverty

Question 26

'Workfare' policies:

Accepted Answer

Require welfare recipients to work in exchange for benefits

Answer

Provide job training and employment opportunities to welfare recipients

Answer

Reduce the availability of welfare benefits

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Increase the minimum wage

Question 27

'Universal basic income' refers to:

Accepted Answer

A fixed sum of money paid to all citizens regardless of their employment or income

Answer

A tax credit for low-income families

Answer

A program that provides housing assistance to homeless individuals

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A system of unemployment benefits

Question 28

'Intergenerational poverty' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Poverty that is passed down from one generation to the next

Answer

Poverty that is experienced by all members of a family

Answer

Poverty that is caused by a lack of education

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Poverty that is caused by discrimination

Question 29

Which type of social welfare program primarily provides financial assistance to low-income families?

Accepted Answer

Means-tested benefits based on income and asset levels

Answer

Universal benefits available to all citizens

Answer

Contributory benefits tied to previous employment contributions

Answer

Occupational benefits offered by private employers

Question 30

What is the central aim of the 'workfare' approach to social welfare?

Accepted Answer

To promote self-reliance and reduce welfare dependency by connecting individuals to work opportunities

Answer

To provide unconditional financial support to individuals regardless of their employment status

Answer

To punish those who are unemployed or underemployed

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To stimulate economic growth by creating new jobs

Question 31

How does the concept of 'social justice' relate to the issues of poverty and social welfare?

Accepted Answer

Social justice demands the fair distribution of resources and opportunities, including efforts to alleviate poverty

Answer

Social justice focuses solely on providing assistance to individuals in immediate need, rather than addressing systemic issues

Answer

Social justice is incompatible with social welfare programs, which are based on principles of charity

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The concept of social justice is irrelevant to the study of poverty and social welfare

Question 32

Which historical event is widely regarded as a pivotal moment in the evolution of the UK's welfare system?

Accepted Answer

World War II

Answer

The Industrial Revolution

Answer

The Great Depression

Answer

The Victorian Era

Question 33

Which of the following is a recognized consequence of poverty?

Accepted Answer

Increased health risks

Answer

Improved job opportunities

Answer

Enhanced educational achievements

Answer

Increased social mobility

Question 34

Which of the following is NOT a commonly used indicator for measuring poverty?

Accepted Answer

Access to quality education

Answer

Income level

Answer

Expenditure on essential goods and services

Question 35

One major critique of the 'culture of poverty' theory is that:

Accepted Answer

It overlooks the significance of social and structural factors in causing poverty, instead emphasizing personal decisions and behaviors.

Answer

It provides a comprehensive framework for examining the experiences of individuals living in poverty.

Answer

It is empirically supported and widely accepted by sociologists.

Answer

It accurately depicts the relationship between poverty and social inequality.

Question 36

Which of the following is a primary goal of social welfare policies?

Accepted Answer

To alleviate poverty and reduce inequality

Answer

To improve national defense capabilities

Answer

To stimulate economic growth

Answer

To manage inflation

Question 37

Which of the following is a criticism of the 'trickle-down' economic theory?

Accepted Answer

It may not benefit the poorest in society

Answer

It leads to excessive government spending

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It stifles innovation

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It undermines social mobility

Question 38

Which of the following is a potential consequence of poverty on individuals?

Accepted Answer

Limited access to quality healthcare

Answer

Improved educational attainment

Answer

Increased civic engagement

Question 39

Which of the following is a key feature of the universalist welfare state model?

Accepted Answer

Provision of universal social services to all citizens

Answer

Minimal government involvement in welfare provision

Answer

Reliance on private sector solutions

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Means-tested benefits only

Question 40

Which of the following is a potential benefit of social welfare programs?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced social cohesion

Answer

Reduced economic productivity

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Increased crime rates

Question 41

Which of the following is a key ethical consideration in social welfare policy design?

Accepted Answer

Balancing individual rights and collective responsibilities

Answer

Prioritizing economic efficiency above all else

Answer

Ensuring political expediency

Question 42

Which of the following is a current trend in social welfare policy?

Accepted Answer

Shift towards prevention and early intervention strategies

Answer

Emphasis on punishing the poor

Answer

Dismantling of the welfare state