. A). ESTABLISHES B). SETS C). OCCURS D). ISSUES READ THE FOLLOWING...

40). A). establishes B). sets C). occurs D). issues Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the answer to each of the questions from 41 to 50 Traditionally in America, helping the poor was a matter for private charities or local government. Arriving immigrants depended mainly on predecessors from their homeland to help them start a new life. In the late 19

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century, several European nations instituted public-welfare programs. But such a movement was slow to take hold in the United States because the rapid pace of industrialization and the ready availability of farmland seemed to confirm the belief that anyone who was willing to work could find a job. Most of the programs started during the Depression era were temporary relief measures, but one of the programs- Social Security - has become an American institution. Paid for by deduction from the paychecks of working people, Social Security ensures that retired persons receive a modest monthly income and also provides unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and other assistance to those who need it. Social Security payments to retired persons can start at age 62, but many wait until age 65, when the payments are slightly higher. Recently, there has been concern that the Social Security fund may not have enough money to fulfill its obligations in the 21

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century, when the population of elderly Americans is expected to increase dramatically. Policy makers have proposed various ways to make up the anticipated deficit, but a long-term solution is still being debated. In the years since Roosevelt, other American presidents have established assistance programs. These include Medical and Medicare; food stamps, certificates that people can use to purchase food; public housing which is built at federal expense and made available to persons with low incomes. Needy Americans can also turn to sources other than government for help. A broad spectrum of private charities and voluntary organizations is available .Volunteerism is on the rise in the United States, especially among retired persons. It is estimated that almost 50 percent of Americans over age 18 do volunteer work, and nearly 75 percent of U.S. households contribute money to charity.