Youtube Exercise » English Grammar Homework

B2-C1

Work & Happiness – History of U.S. Welfare

Free To Choose Network

23K views 9 years ago

Warm-up Questions

When you hear the phrase “work and happiness,” what connection do you think the video will make between them?
What do you already know about U.S. welfare programs or the “New Deal”?
Do you think government assistance should be temporary or long-term? Why?

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Work & Happiness – History of U.S. Welfare

Origins of U.S. welfare and the New Deal (00:00 – 01:10)

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1. According to the speaker, what group was originally in mind for “aid to dependent mothers”?

Teenagers without jobs
Retired workers
Farm owners who lost land
Widows with small children

2. What major event is described as happening in 1929?

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s election
The start of World War II
The stock market crash
The creation of Social Security

3. How did public works projects relate to welfare assistance in this section?

They were mainly focused on private business profits
They were only for wealthy communities
They tied work directly to assistance by providing employment
They replaced all cash assistance programs

Work & Happiness – History of U.S. Welfare

Concerns about long-term dependence (01:10 – 02:16)

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1. What did President Roosevelt say welfare was NOT intended to be?

A program for families
A lifetime arrangement
A government responsibility
A response to unemployment

2. In the quote, what does continued dependence on relief “induce”?

Rapid economic growth
Political unity
More private-sector hiring
Spiritual and moral disintegration

3. Besides protecting people’s bodies from destitution, what does the quote say must also be preserved?

Their political rights
Their property and investments
Their self-respect and self-reliance
Their savings accounts

Work & Happiness – History of U.S. Welfare

Welfare expansion and poverty decline (02:16 – 02:56)

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1. How does the speaker describe the way welfare changed over time?

It was removed quickly
It became smaller after 1932
It stayed exactly the same
It ratcheted up very slowly

2. What does the speaker say about welfare in the late 1950s?

Welfare paid higher than most jobs
Welfare was only available in big cities
The welfare rolls were small and the amounts of money were small
Most Americans lived on welfare

3. What happened as the economy improved from the 1940s to the 1960s?

Emergency public projects increased
Poverty fell dramatically in the United States
The Great Depression returned
Poverty rose dramatically

Work & Happiness – History of U.S. Welfare

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1. What is one main idea of the video?

The Great Depression had no effect on government policy
Public works projects were unrelated to unemployment
Welfare began in the 1970s and mainly helped corporations
Welfare began during the New Deal and was connected to work through public projects

2. What concern does the video raise about long-term welfare use?

It eliminates the need for education
It may encourage dependence and weaken self-respect
It guarantees higher wages for all workers
It increases international trade

3. Which relationship does the video emphasize most strongly?

Assistance should never be given during economic crises
Assistance works best only when given to businesses
Assistance and employment can be linked through government projects
Assistance should be tied to leisure to increase happiness

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

Work & Happiness – History of U.S. Welfare

In the video, welfare is often described as something that should not replace work. Do you agree? Why or why not?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of tying government assistance to employment through public works projects?
The quote compares relief to “a narcotic.” Is that a fair comparison? What might be a better metaphor?
How should governments balance helping people in crisis with encouraging self-reliance and long-term opportunity?