Poverty and Inequality: Causes, Consequences, and Policy Responses

Question 1

The concept of 'relative poverty' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Income below a specified threshold relative to the average income within a society

Answer

Extreme deprivation

Answer

Lack of essential resources

Answer

Inability to participate meaningfully in society

Question 2

Which policy intervention is designed to reduce income inequality?

Accepted Answer

Both progressive taxation and minimum wage laws

Answer

Progressive taxation

Answer

Minimum wage laws

Answer

Universal basic income

Question 3

Which factor is not a primary cause of poverty?

Accepted Answer

Environmental sustainability

Answer

Lack of education and skills

Answer

Discrimination and social exclusion

Answer

Economic inequality

Question 4

The concept of relative poverty refers to:

Accepted Answer

Having a lower income than others in society

Answer

Inability to meet a certain standard of living

Answer

Financial dependence on the state

Answer

Living in absolute deprivation

Question 5

The term 'social exclusion' primarily refers to:

Accepted Answer

Exclusion from social participation

Answer

Lack of access to basic necessities

Answer

Economic disadvantage

Answer

Geographical isolation

Question 6

The concept of 'intergenerational poverty' suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Poverty can span generations

Answer

Poverty is solely due to individual factors

Answer

Poverty is unavoidable for certain groups

Answer

Education can eliminate poverty

Question 7

The term 'hidden poverty' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Poverty experienced by individuals who do not exhibit traditional signs of poverty

Answer

Poverty concentrated in remote or marginalized communities

Answer

Poverty among employed individuals who earn below the poverty line

Answer

Poverty faced by individuals who are unsheltered

Question 8

Which theory posits that inequality is an inherent characteristic of capitalist societies?

Accepted Answer

Marxist theory

Answer

Functionalist theory

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Social mobility theory

Question 9

Which of the following arguments in favor of inequality is generally not accepted?

Accepted Answer

Improved social mobility

Answer

Increased economic productivity

Answer

Enhanced innovation

Answer

Heightened competition

Question 10

In studying the subjective experiences of individuals living in poverty, which research approach would be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Qualitative interview-based research

Answer

Quantitative survey research

Answer

Observational studies

Answer

Experimental research

Question 11

Which of the following is a common consequence of poverty and inequality?

Accepted Answer

Reduced social mobility

Answer

Enhanced healthcare accessibility

Answer

Improved educational opportunities

Answer

Accelerated economic growth

Question 12

Which of the following is a primary ethical and social justice concern arising from poverty and inequality?

Accepted Answer

Diminished life chances and opportunities for individuals and communities

Answer

Increased social cohesion and community involvement

Answer

Reduced crime and violence rates

Answer

Enhanced economic growth and innovation

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Subjective poverty

Answer

Absolute poverty line

Answer

Relative poverty line

Answer

Multidimensional poverty index

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a significant contributing factor to poverty?

Accepted Answer

Individual accountability

Answer

Structural inequity

Answer

Limited access to education

Answer

Discrimination

Question 15

What is a primary consequence of income disparity?

Accepted Answer

Diminished social mobility

Answer

Accelerated economic growth

Answer

Improved educational attainment

Answer

Enhanced healthcare outcomes

Question 16

Which government policy is considered ineffective in alleviating poverty?

Accepted Answer

Tax reductions for affluent individuals

Answer

Subsidized food programs

Answer

Minimum wage enhancements

Answer

Affordable housing initiatives

Question 17

What does the term 'relative poverty' refer to?

Accepted Answer

Being economically disadvantaged in comparison to others in society

Answer

Falling below an established poverty threshold

Answer

Lacking essential necessities

Answer

Experiencing social exclusion

Question 18

Which of the following is a potential advantage attributed to economic inequality?

Accepted Answer

Stimulation of innovation

Answer

Improved public health outcomes

Answer

Enhanced social cohesion

Answer

Reduced crime rates

Question 19

What is the concept of 'intergenerational poverty'?

Accepted Answer

Poverty that persists across generations within families

Answer

Poverty that is caused by external circumstances

Answer

Poverty that is experienced primarily by children

Answer

Poverty that affects multiple members of a household

Question 20

What is the central argument of the 'feminization of poverty' perspective?

Accepted Answer

Poverty disproportionately impacts women

Answer

Poverty affects men and women equally

Answer

Women are more likely to experience poverty than men

Answer

Poverty is primarily caused by women's lack of motivation

Question 21

The Gini coefficient is a statistical measure used to quantify:

Accepted Answer

Income inequality within a population.

Answer

Poverty rate.

Answer

Economic growth rate.

Answer

Social mobility.

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT considered a significant factor contributing to the widening income gap in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Increased government spending on social welfare programs.

Answer

Technological advancements leading to job displacement.

Answer

Growing concentration of wealth in the hands of a small elite.

Answer

Declining trade union membership.

Question 23

The 'relative poverty' line is typically defined as:

Accepted Answer

A percentage (often 60%) of the median household income in a given society.

Answer

A fixed amount of money below which individuals are considered poor, based on a universal standard.

Answer

The minimum income required to meet basic needs, regardless of location or societal standards.

Question 24

Which of the following is an example of a universal social welfare program in the UK, providing benefits to all citizens regardless of income?

Accepted Answer

National Health Service (NHS).

Answer

Jobseeker's Allowance.

Answer

Housing Benefit.

Answer

Child Tax Credit.

Question 25

The 'Living Wage' movement primarily aims to:

Accepted Answer

Promote a minimum wage that meets basic living costs, as determined by independent calculations.

Answer

Reduce income inequality primarily through progressive taxation policies.

Answer

Increase government spending on social welfare programs to alleviate poverty.

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of persistent poverty on individuals and society?

Accepted Answer

Increased economic growth.

Answer

Reduced life expectancy.

Answer

Increased social exclusion and marginalization.

Answer

Higher rates of crime and social unrest.

Question 27

The 'social gradient in health' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The consistent pattern of better health outcomes among those with higher socioeconomic status, compared to those with lower status.

Answer

The impact of poverty specifically on mental health conditions.

Answer

The unequal distribution of healthcare resources across different social groups.

Question 28

The 'intergenerational cycle of poverty' signifies:

Accepted Answer

The tendency for poverty to persist across generations, often due to factors like limited opportunities and inherited disadvantages.

Answer

The importance of economic growth as the primary solution for alleviating poverty.

Answer

The effectiveness of social welfare programs in breaking the cycle of poverty.

Question 29

Which of the following policy approaches is most likely to effectively address the root causes of poverty and inequality, rather than just symptoms?

Accepted Answer

A multifaceted approach combining social welfare programs, economic development strategies, and social justice initiatives.

Answer

Tax cuts for all income levels as a means of stimulating economic growth.

Answer

Increased investment in education and training as the sole solution to poverty.