MCAT Behavioral Sciences Question 220: Answer and Explanation

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Question: 220

2. Joy lives a neighborhood where 40% of the population is obese. Almost half of the adults in her neighborhood are unemployed and rely on food stamps. There are no grocery stores within a ten block radius of where Joy lives, but there are many fast-food chains. The economic and social situation in Joy's neighborhood could be described as:

I. a food desert.

II. absolute poverty.

III. relative poverty.

  • A. I only
  • B. II only
  • C. I and II
  • D. I and III

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

Item I is true: a food desert refers to an area, typically in a highly populated lower-income urban environment, where healthy, fresh food is difficult to find. Joy's neighborhood does not have an nearby grocery store but does have a plethora of fast-food restaurants, therefore it would arguably qualify as a food desert (choice B can be eliminated). Item II is false: absolute poverty is the inability to meet a bare minimum of basic necessities, including clean drinking water, food, safe housing, and reliable access to healthcare; the scenario described is not absolute poverty (choice C can be eliminated). Item III is true: relative poverty is defined as an inability to meet the average standard of living within a society; due to the fact that so many in her neighborhood are unemployed, this scenario is arguably describing relative poverty (choice A can be eliminated and choice D is correct).

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