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Multiple Choice 1. Which of the following is NOT one of Max Weber’s dimensions of social stratification? a. wealth b. ranking c. status d. power Answer: b. ranking 2. __________ is the hierarchical ranking within a society of various social class groups according to wealth, power, and prestige. a. Socioeconomic status b. Power c. Wealth d. Social stratification Answer: d. Social stratification 3. __________ is a composite ranking based on various dimensions of social inequality. a. Socioeconomic status b. Wealth c. Social stratification d. Power Answer: a. Socioeconomic status 4. In his comprehensive “Yankee City” study of social stratification, W. Lloyd Warner used which of the following methods? a. self-placement b. reputational c. subjective d. objective Answer: b. reputational 5. The largest percentage of Americans resides within the __________ class. a. working b. upper c. middle d. lower Answer: c. middle 6. Some urban neighborhoods have such extreme levels of poverty and unemployment that social scientists call them a. hyperghettos. b. inner-city slums. c. the projects. d. tent cities. Answer: a. hyperghettos. 7. About ______ percent of the population falls into the category of lower class. a. 50 b. 40 c. 30 d. 20 Answer: d. 20 8. In 2010, the official poverty rate was __________ percent. a. 8.2 b. 10.4 c. 15.1 d. 18.3 Answer: c. 15.1 9. ________ percent of the foreign-born live in a U.S. central city. a. Fourteen b. Twenty-four c. Thirty-four d. Forty-four Answer: d. Forty-four 10. In New York City in 2010, one out of __________ residents were poor. a. two b. three c. four d. five Answer: d. five 11. Zip code 10065 is the most prestigious one in New York City, for it encompasses much of __________, the country’s most affluent neighborhood. a. the Bronx b. Manhattan’s Upper East Side c. Queens d. Staten Island Answer: b. Manhattan’s Upper East Side 12. “Dinks” are a. African American urban professionals. b. young professional couples with nerdy jobs. c. young professional couples without children. d. old white professionals nearing retirement. Answer: c. young professional couples without children. 13. Once identified as low-income neighborhoods, Logan Square, West Town, the Near West Side, and the Near South Side are now among __________ most desirable residential areas. a. New York City’s b. Milwaukee’s c. Chicago’s d. Toronto’s Answer: c. Chicago’s 14. Herbert Gans referred to a city’s working-class neighborhoods as a. ethnic villages. b. inner-city enclaves. c. gemeinschafts. d. immigrant towns. Answer: a. ethnic villages. 15. Grand Rapids, Michigan is characterized in the text as reflecting a(n) __________ neighborhood. a. upper-class b. mixed-income c. working-class d. low-income Answer: b. mixed-income 16. Low-income urban neighborhoods have been referred to as a. inner-city neighborhoods. b. ghettos. c. slums. d. All of the above Answer: d. All of the above 17. One of the poorest and most densely populated neighborhoods in Los Angeles, California is a. Gage Park. b. Pico-Union. c. Little Latino. d. Coxwell. Answer: b. Pico-Union. 18. Which of the following most closely resembles the suburban stereotype? a. Tuxedo Park, New York b. Grosse Point Shores, Michigan c. Darien, Connecticut d. South Barrington, Illinois Answer: c. Darien, Connecticut 19. Muller distinguished three sub-types of black suburbs. Which of the following is NOT one of these? a. gentrified b. spillover c. colonies d. satellite cities Answer: a. gentrified 20. In 2010, __________ percent of all U.S. Hispanics lived in suburbs. a. 29 b. 39 c. 49 d. 59 Answer: d. 59 True/False 21. In every nation of the world, people are ranked in a social hierarchy that determines their quality of life. Answer: True 22. The main distinction between W. Lloyd Warner’s upper-upper and lower-upper classes was essentially that of “old money” and “new money.” Answer: True 23. The lower class consists of about 40 percent of the population. Answer: False 24. Sociologist E. Digby Baltzell was born into the lower class. Answer: False 25. The disparity between rich and poor is simply a matter of difference in incomes. Answer: False 26. If we compare income data by residence, we find that those living outside central cities in metropolitan areas are better off than those living within central cities. Answer: True 27. Zip code 10065 is the most prestigious one in New York City. Answer: True 28. Chicago’s Gold Coast is the wealthiest urban neighborhood in the United States. Answer: False 29. Most of the middle class lives in the city, not the suburbs. Answer: False 30. In 2009, nearly half of the eligible population had never married. Answer: True 31. Herbert Gans referred to urban working-class neighborhoods as ethnic villages. Answer: True 32. Most cities lack mixed-income neighborhoods. Answer: False 33. Unlike the immigrant poor of the past, today’s poor inner-city residents face social isolation. Answer: True 34. In 2011, the population of Pico-Union (in Los Angeles) was 85 percent Hispanic. Answer: True 35. Today’s suburbs fit the white, middle-class, and family-with-kids stereotype. Answer: False 36. Today’s upper-class suburbs resemble the old aristocratic ones of yesteryear. Answer: True 37. Working-class suburbs began to disappear after World War II. Answer: False 38. Minority suburbanization is most pronounced in metropolitan regions of 500,000 or more. Answer: True 39. Robbins, Illinois is a fast-growing suburb that consists mostly of upper-class whites. Answer: False 40. More Asians live in suburbia than any other racial or ethnic category. Answer: True Essay/Discussion 41. Briefly discuss each of Max Weber’s three dimensions of social stratification. Answer: 1. Class: • Definition: Refers to the economic dimension of stratification based on individuals' wealth and income. • Characteristics: Determined by factors such as occupation, education, and income. • Example: A person belonging to the upper class might be a wealthy CEO, while someone in the lower class might work in a minimum-wage job. 2. Status or Social Honor: • Definition: Relates to social prestige, honor, and respect accorded to individuals or groups. • Characteristics: Can be influenced by factors like family background, education, and occupation. • Example: Professions like doctors or lawyers often carry high social status, while certain manual labor jobs may have lower status. 3. Party or Political Power: • Definition: Involves the ability to influence others, often through political or social means. • Characteristics: Includes factors like political connections, organizational affiliations, and access to resources. • Example: Politicians, business leaders, and community organizers often wield significant party power. 42. Based on the text’s discussion, outline the disparity of income distribution in the United States today. Answer: Income Inequality in the United States Today: 1. Widening Gap: The income gap between the wealthiest Americans and the rest of the population has been steadily increasing. 2. Top Earners: The top 1% of earners in the U.S. control a disproportionately large share of the country's wealth and income. 3. Stagnant Wages: Many middle• and lower-income earners have experienced stagnant wages, leading to a widening wealth disparity. 4. Racial Disparities: There are significant racial disparities in income distribution, with Black and Hispanic households generally earning less than White households. 5. Gender Pay Gap: Women, on average, earn less than men for similar work, contributing to income inequality. 6. Regional Differences: Income distribution can vary significantly by region, with some areas experiencing higher levels of poverty and lower median incomes. 7. Impact on Society: Income inequality can lead to social and economic issues, such as limited access to education and healthcare for lower-income individuals. 43. Compare and contrast upper-class, middle-class, working-class, mixed income, and low-income urban neighborhoods. Give an example of each. Answer: Upper-Class Urban Neighborhood: • Characteristics: Typically characterized by large, expensive homes, high-income residents, access to exclusive amenities (e.g., private clubs), and a low crime rate. • Example: Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, California. Middle-Class Urban Neighborhood: • Characteristics: Typically consists of single-family homes or townhouses, residents with moderate incomes, access to schools and shopping centers, and a mix of blue• and whitecollar workers. • Example: Park Slope in Brooklyn, New York City. Working-Class Urban Neighborhood: • Characteristics: Often characterized by multi-family homes or apartments, residents with lower to moderate incomes, access to public transportation, and a strong sense of community. • Example: South Boston in Boston, Massachusetts. Mixed-Income Urban Neighborhood: • Characteristics: Contains a mix of housing types, including public housing, affordable housing, and market-rate housing. Residents come from various income brackets. • Example: The Mission District in San Francisco, California. Low-Income Urban Neighborhood: • Characteristics: Typically has a high concentration of public housing, residents with low incomes, limited access to quality amenities and services, and higher crime rates. • Example: The South Side of Chicago, Illinois. 44. What are “DINKS”? Give an example. Answer: DINKS stands for "Dual Income, No Kids." It refers to couples who both earn an income and do not have children. Example: • A couple living in New York City, both working as lawyers and enjoying a lifestyle that includes frequent travel and dining out, could be considered DINKS. 45. Based on the text’s discussion, discuss suburban social class diversity. Answer: Suburban Social Class Diversity: 1. Income Variation: Suburbs often have a wide range of income levels, from affluent neighborhoods to more economically diverse areas. 2. Housing Types: Suburbs typically feature a mix of housing options, including singlefamily homes, townhouses, and apartments, catering to various income levels. 3. Education and Employment: Suburbs often have residents with diverse educational and employment backgrounds, including professionals, blue-collar workers, and service industry workers. 4. Social Services: Suburban areas may vary in terms of access to social services and amenities, with some neighborhoods offering more resources than others. 5. Cultural Diversity: Suburbs can also be culturally diverse, with residents from different ethnic and racial backgrounds contributing to the overall social fabric. 6. Community Dynamics: Despite diversity, suburban communities often exhibit strong social cohesion and community engagement, regardless of income level. Overall, suburban areas can be diverse in terms of social class, offering a range of experiences and opportunities for residents. Test Bank for Cities and Urban Life Plus John J. Macionis, Vincent N. Parrillo 9780205902583, 9780205206377,9780133869804
