Question 1

In which of the following areas has the modern U.S.economy produced the largest number of jobs?

Accepted Answer

The modern U.S. economy has shifted away from traditional manufacturing and agriculture industries and has seen a significant increase in jobs related to the production of knowledge and information, such as technology, healthcare, finance, and professional services. This shift is largely due to advancements in technology and automation in traditional industries, while the demand for skilled workers in knowledge-based industries continues to grow.

Question 2

Workers who are not making full use of their skills or are working part time when they would like to be working full time are ______.

Accepted Answer

The term used to describe workers who are not making full use of their skills or are working part time when they would like to be working full time is underemployed.

Question 3

Which of the following is a goal of the Affordable Care Act?

Accepted Answer

The goal of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, is to expand health insurance coverage for the working poor. It does this by creating healthcare exchanges where individuals can purchase affordable insurance plans and by expanding eligibility for Medicaid. The law also includes provisions for preventing insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions and other factors. It does not aim to increase spending on healthcare or protect insurance companies, and while there are penalties for not having insurance, the primary goal is to increase coverage rather than punish uninsured individuals.

Question 4

What percentage of Americans were uninsured before the Affordable Care Act?

Accepted Answer

In 2010, before the Affordable Care Act was implemented, 57 million Americans or 18.2% of the population were uninsured. This number varied by state, with some states having much higher uninsured rates.

Question 5

In the United States, which percentage of wealth is held by the top quintile of earners?

Accepted Answer

According to data from the Federal Reserve, the top quintile of earners in the United States hold approximately 90% of the country's wealth.

Question 6

Which of the following is a government health insurance program that primarily serves the poor?

Accepted Answer

Medicaid is a government health insurance program that primarily serves the poor. It is jointly funded by the federal and state governments, and covers individuals and families with low incomes or disabilities. Supplemental Security Income (A) is a federal program that provides cash assistance to people with disabilities or low incomes. Welfare (B) is a term that generally refers to public assistance programs that provide cash or other assistance to low-income individuals and families. Medicare (C) is a federal health insurance program that primarily serves people over the age of 65, as well as some people with disabilities or chronic illnesses.

Question 7

Which of the following is a results of the transition to a postindustrial economy in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The transition to a postindustrial economy in the US has led to a greater emphasis on knowledge-based industries such as technology, finance, and healthcare. This has resulted in workers with more education being more highly valued, as they possess the skills and knowledge necessary to work in these industries. In contrast, workers with less education may have difficulty finding employment in these industries and may face competition from automation and outsourcing. Therefore, option B is the best choice.

Question 8

Which of the following is characteristic of service sector occupations?

Accepted Answer

Service sector occupations have increasingly replaced manufacturing jobs as the primary employment for those with less education, as manufacturing jobs have declined in recent years.

Question 9

Which of the following is true of wealth inequality in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Wealth inequality is more unequal than the distribution of income in the United States. Studies have shown that the top 1% of households own more wealth than the bottom 90% combined. This unequal distribution of wealth has been linked to various social and economic issues, including limited social mobility and political inequality.

Question 10

Which of the following is characteristic of food deserts?

Accepted Answer

Food deserts typically have lower quality stores, which may not offer fresh produce or healthy food options.

Question 11

Each year the U.S.Census Bureau calculates how much income is distributed across the population of earners.All households are ranked by annual income and then categorized into which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Census Bureau categorizes households into fifths, or quintiles, based on their annual income. This allows for a more detailed analysis of income distribution across the population.

Question 12

Which of the following is true of the jobs created in the 1980s and 1990s?

Accepted Answer

The jobs created in the 1980s and 1990s were largely service-sector jobs which generally had lower wages and fewer benefits than the manufacturing jobs that were lost due to automation and outsourcing. Therefore, the quality of jobs created was lower than the quality of jobs lost. The other options are incorrect: A is incorrect because most of the jobs created were service-sector jobs rather than manufacturing. C is incorrect because while there were some improvements in health-care coverage, it was not a dramatic rise. D is also incorrect because the quantity of new jobs actually increased during this time period.

Question 13

What has been the general trend in inequality over the past few three decades?

Accepted Answer

Multiple studies and reports have shown that inequality has been rising over the past few decades, both in developed and developing countries. This can be attributed to factors such as technological change, globalization, and changes in labor markets.

Question 14

In Mills's view, the political power of the masses is ______.

Accepted Answer

C. Wright Mills, in his works, often argued that the political power of the masses is less than most people understand, emphasizing the concentration of power within a small elite group.

Question 15

In the United States, which percentage of wealth is held by the bottom quintile of earners?

Accepted Answer

According to a report published by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) in 2021, the wealth held by the bottom quintile of households in the US is approximately 3%. The report also indicates that the top 20% of households hold around 52% of the wealth in the country.

Question 16

Which of the following best represents an occupation with high prestige or status but lower income?

Accepted Answer

Firefighters are typically regarded with high prestige and respect due to the nature of their work, which involves risking their lives to save others. However, compared to professions like doctors, lawyers, or stockbrokers, firefighters generally earn a lower income.

Question 17

Karen graduated with her bachelor's degree but cannot find a job in her field.So she takes a job at the mall.This is an example of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Karen's situation is an example of underemployment, which refers to being employed in a job that does not fully utilize one's skills or education. Despite having a bachelor's degree, Karen is forced to take a job at the mall because she is unable to find work in her field.

Question 18

Which of the following is an accurate representation of the relationship between health outcomes and class?

Accepted Answer

Health outcomes are strongly correlated with socioeconomic status. People with lower incomes are more likely to suffer from health problems than those with higher incomes. This may be due to a lack of access to healthcare, healthy food options, safe living conditions, and other factors that affect health. Lower-income individuals may have less access to health insurance, which makes it more difficult to receive preventive care or medical treatment when needed. In addition, they may have jobs that require them to work in hazardous or physically demanding conditions, which can lead to injury or illness. Overall, poverty and low socioeconomic status are associated with poorer health outcomes. Choices A, B, and D do not accurately represent this relationship.

Question 19

Which of the following best explains the decline in health insurance coverage for workers in the bottom quintile of earners from the 1980s to the 1990s?

Accepted Answer

The growth in service sector jobs that have been increasingly unlikely to offer employer benefits is the most likely explanation for the decline in health insurance coverage for workers in the bottom quintile of earners from the 1980s to the 1990s.

Question 20

Wage gains for women have particularly been driven by ______.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that college-educated women have consistently earned higher wages than their less educated counterparts. This is due to a combination of factors such as access to higher-paying jobs, more bargaining power, and societal attitudes towards the value of education for women.

Quiz 7: Social Class and Inequality in the United States