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12 Sep 2024, 11:35
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Question 1
C
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
15%
(low)
Question Stats:
83% (02:04) correct
18%
(02:17) wrong
based on 80
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 2
B
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
55%
(hard)
Question Stats:
57% (01:28) correct 43%
(01:33) wrong
based on 84
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 3
C
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
15%
(low)
Question Stats:
83% (00:42) correct 17%
(00:37) wrong
based on 76
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Q1. What is the primary purpose of the passage?
(A) To highlight the role of household income in determining the eligibility for reduced-price and free school lunches.
(B) To describe the growth of the National School Lunch Program from 1946 to 2016 and its expansion across states.
(C) To discuss the limitations in the eligibility criteria of the National School Lunch Program and examine how states have addressed these gaps.
(D) To analyze the effectiveness of state-level school meal programs in comparison to the federal National School Lunch Program.
(E) To emphasize the importance of nutrition in childhood development as it relates to school meal programs.
Q2. The passage suggests that school lunch debt arises from gaps in the eligibility criteria for free or reduced-price meals. Which of the following must be true in order for this explanation to be valid?
(A) Some families who qualify for reduced-price meals do not apply for the program due to the stigma associated with receiving assistance.
(B) A significant number of students who accumulate school lunch debt are ineligible for free or reduced-price meals but still cannot afford regular school meals.
(C) Schools do not provide alternative assistance to students who are unable to pay for their meals.
(D) The federal poverty level does not account for the differences in cost of living across various regions where students experience food insecurity.
(E) Eliminating the reduced-price lunch category would completely solve the problem of school lunch debt.
Q3. The author's attitude toward the National School Lunch Program can best be described as:
(A) Neutral, presenting the program and its issues without expressing a clear stance.
(B) Critical, condemning the National School Lunch Program for failing to adequately address children’s needs and demanding reform.
(C) Concerned, pointing out the gaps in the program and their potential negative effects on children.
(D) Optimistic, suggesting that state-level reforms can fully solve the program’s shortcomings.
(E) Defensive, defending the program's current structure against potential criticism.
In 1946, US President Harry Truman signed into law the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, which established what is now called the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). The NSLP reimburses states for providing free and low-cost meals to qualifying students. In its first year, about 7 million children participated, rising to over 30 million by 2016.
Schools may only serve free or reduced-price lunches to children who qualify, based on household income and family size. Currently, children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level qualify for free lunch, while those from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent qualify for reduced-price lunch.
Unfortunately, the eligibility guidelines leave many children in a difficult situation: their parents earn more than 130 percent of the federal poverty level but not enough to consistently afford full or reduced-price meals. This gap often results in school lunch debt, which can have acute psychological impacts on children, including stigma and bullying from peers. For many children, these school meals are often their only reliable source of daily nutrition.
Eight states have established universal school meal programs for schools participating in the NSLP. Other states have eliminated the reduced-price lunch category, making meals free for any student from a family with an income below 185 percent of the federal poverty level. However, most states have not adopted such expanded programs, leaving millions of children without consistent access to school meals.
Schools may only serve free or reduced-price lunches to children who qualify, based on household income and family size. Currently, children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level qualify for free lunch, while those from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent qualify for reduced-price lunch.
Unfortunately, the eligibility guidelines leave many children in a difficult situation: their parents earn more than 130 percent of the federal poverty level but not enough to consistently afford full or reduced-price meals. This gap often results in school lunch debt, which can have acute psychological impacts on children, including stigma and bullying from peers. For many children, these school meals are often their only reliable source of daily nutrition.
Eight states have established universal school meal programs for schools participating in the NSLP. Other states have eliminated the reduced-price lunch category, making meals free for any student from a family with an income below 185 percent of the federal poverty level. However, most states have not adopted such expanded programs, leaving millions of children without consistent access to school meals.
Q1. What is the primary purpose of the passage?
(A) To highlight the role of household income in determining the eligibility for reduced-price and free school lunches.
(B) To describe the growth of the National School Lunch Program from 1946 to 2016 and its expansion across states.
(C) To discuss the limitations in the eligibility criteria of the National School Lunch Program and examine how states have addressed these gaps.
(D) To analyze the effectiveness of state-level school meal programs in comparison to the federal National School Lunch Program.
(E) To emphasize the importance of nutrition in childhood development as it relates to school meal programs.
Q2. The passage suggests that school lunch debt arises from gaps in the eligibility criteria for free or reduced-price meals. Which of the following must be true in order for this explanation to be valid?
(A) Some families who qualify for reduced-price meals do not apply for the program due to the stigma associated with receiving assistance.
(B) A significant number of students who accumulate school lunch debt are ineligible for free or reduced-price meals but still cannot afford regular school meals.
(C) Schools do not provide alternative assistance to students who are unable to pay for their meals.
(D) The federal poverty level does not account for the differences in cost of living across various regions where students experience food insecurity.
(E) Eliminating the reduced-price lunch category would completely solve the problem of school lunch debt.
Q3. The author's attitude toward the National School Lunch Program can best be described as:
(A) Neutral, presenting the program and its issues without expressing a clear stance.
(B) Critical, condemning the National School Lunch Program for failing to adequately address children’s needs and demanding reform.
(C) Concerned, pointing out the gaps in the program and their potential negative effects on children.
(D) Optimistic, suggesting that state-level reforms can fully solve the program’s shortcomings.
(E) Defensive, defending the program's current structure against potential criticism.
12 Sep 2024, 21:31
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Pretty straightforward it seems.
Honestly school lunches in the US provide pretty bad food. It is unfortunate if someone has their best meal at school as the level, quality, and cost of these meals are quite low. I believe the lunch is/was $3/meal
Honestly school lunches in the US provide pretty bad food. It is unfortunate if someone has their best meal at school as the level, quality, and cost of these meals are quite low. I believe the lunch is/was $3/meal
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13 Sep 2024, 06:52
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Here are the official solutions:
Q1. What is the primary purpose of the passage?
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation:
• (A): Incorrect. While household income is mentioned as a factor in determining eligibility, the passage focuses more on the gaps in the eligibility system and less on highlighting income as a factor.
• (B): Incorrect. Though the passage mentions the growth of the program briefly, this is background information, not the main purpose of the passage.
• (C): Correct. The passage’s main point is to discuss the limitations of the eligibility criteria for the National School Lunch Program and how some states have responded to these issues, which makes this the most accurate description of the passage’s purpose.
• (D): Incorrect. The passage mentions state-level initiatives but does not focus on analyzing their effectiveness in comparison to the federal program.
• (E): Incorrect. Although nutrition is important in the context of school meals, the passage’s main focus is on access and eligibility rather than on the importance of nutrition for childhood development.
Q2. The passage suggests that school lunch debt arises from gaps in the eligibility criteria for free or reduced-price meals. Which of the following must be true in order for this explanation to be valid?
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation:
• (A): Incorrect. This choice discusses stigma, but the passage focuses on financial gaps in eligibility rather than families’ willingness to apply. Even if some families avoid applying due to stigma, the passage’s claim about school lunch debt stems from the affordability gap.
• (B): Correct. For the passage’s argument to hold, there must be a significant group of students who do not qualify for free or reduced-price meals but still cannot afford regular school lunches. This is the gap that creates the issue of school lunch debt.
• (C): Incorrect. The passage does not claim that schools lack alternative assistance; the focus is on the gaps in the National School Lunch Program’s eligibility criteria, not on the absence of other forms of help.
• (D): Incorrect. While the federal poverty level may not reflect regional cost-of-living differences, this is not directly linked to the existence of school lunch debt as described in the passage. The issue is about families who do not meet the poverty guidelines but still cannot afford meals.
• (E): Incorrect. The passage suggests that eliminating the reduced-price lunch category is one solution some states have adopted, but it does not claim this would fully solve the problem. Other factors, such as household income levels above 185% of the poverty line, may still leave some families struggling to afford meals.
Q3. The author's attitude toward the National School Lunch Program can best be described as:
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation:
(A): Incorrect. The author is not purely neutral. While the passage presents factual information, it emphasizes the issues with the program, particularly the gaps in eligibility, and shows concern for the children affected by these gaps.
(B): Incorrect. The tone is not critical in the sense of condemning the program or demanding reform. While the author points out shortcomings in the program, there is no strong condemnation or direct call for reform. The tone is more focused on concern for the children impacted by the gaps.
(C): Correct. The author's tone is concerned. The passage highlights the limitations of the National School Lunch Program and the negative effects of these gaps on children, particularly with regard to lunch debt and psychological impacts. This indicates a tone of concern for the children rather than criticism of the program itself.
(D): Incorrect. The author is not optimistic about the state-level reforms completely solving the program’s shortcomings. While some solutions are mentioned, the focus is on the current gaps and the harm they cause, rather than an optimistic view of reforms.
(E): Incorrect. The author is not defensive of the program’s current structure. In fact, the passage suggests that the current eligibility criteria leave many children without consistent access to meals, indicating concern rather than defense of the existing system.
Q1. What is the primary purpose of the passage?
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation:
• (A): Incorrect. While household income is mentioned as a factor in determining eligibility, the passage focuses more on the gaps in the eligibility system and less on highlighting income as a factor.
• (B): Incorrect. Though the passage mentions the growth of the program briefly, this is background information, not the main purpose of the passage.
• (C): Correct. The passage’s main point is to discuss the limitations of the eligibility criteria for the National School Lunch Program and how some states have responded to these issues, which makes this the most accurate description of the passage’s purpose.
• (D): Incorrect. The passage mentions state-level initiatives but does not focus on analyzing their effectiveness in comparison to the federal program.
• (E): Incorrect. Although nutrition is important in the context of school meals, the passage’s main focus is on access and eligibility rather than on the importance of nutrition for childhood development.
Q2. The passage suggests that school lunch debt arises from gaps in the eligibility criteria for free or reduced-price meals. Which of the following must be true in order for this explanation to be valid?
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation:
• (A): Incorrect. This choice discusses stigma, but the passage focuses on financial gaps in eligibility rather than families’ willingness to apply. Even if some families avoid applying due to stigma, the passage’s claim about school lunch debt stems from the affordability gap.
• (B): Correct. For the passage’s argument to hold, there must be a significant group of students who do not qualify for free or reduced-price meals but still cannot afford regular school lunches. This is the gap that creates the issue of school lunch debt.
• (C): Incorrect. The passage does not claim that schools lack alternative assistance; the focus is on the gaps in the National School Lunch Program’s eligibility criteria, not on the absence of other forms of help.
• (D): Incorrect. While the federal poverty level may not reflect regional cost-of-living differences, this is not directly linked to the existence of school lunch debt as described in the passage. The issue is about families who do not meet the poverty guidelines but still cannot afford meals.
• (E): Incorrect. The passage suggests that eliminating the reduced-price lunch category is one solution some states have adopted, but it does not claim this would fully solve the problem. Other factors, such as household income levels above 185% of the poverty line, may still leave some families struggling to afford meals.
Q3. The author's attitude toward the National School Lunch Program can best be described as:
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation:
(A): Incorrect. The author is not purely neutral. While the passage presents factual information, it emphasizes the issues with the program, particularly the gaps in eligibility, and shows concern for the children affected by these gaps.
(B): Incorrect. The tone is not critical in the sense of condemning the program or demanding reform. While the author points out shortcomings in the program, there is no strong condemnation or direct call for reform. The tone is more focused on concern for the children impacted by the gaps.
(C): Correct. The author's tone is concerned. The passage highlights the limitations of the National School Lunch Program and the negative effects of these gaps on children, particularly with regard to lunch debt and psychological impacts. This indicates a tone of concern for the children rather than criticism of the program itself.
(D): Incorrect. The author is not optimistic about the state-level reforms completely solving the program’s shortcomings. While some solutions are mentioned, the focus is on the current gaps and the harm they cause, rather than an optimistic view of reforms.
(E): Incorrect. The author is not defensive of the program’s current structure. In fact, the passage suggests that the current eligibility criteria leave many children without consistent access to meals, indicating concern rather than defense of the existing system.
