Question

8. "The Federal Children's Bureau, in the summer of 1932, undertook a survey of the situation in the Southwest, with especial reference to boys and young men who by the thousands (estimated 200,000 for the United States) were found "riding the rods" of the railreeds. In October 1932 a group of individuals, members of national agencies deeply concerned with this problem, together with a number of persons actively engaged in the study of the subject, organized themselves under the auspices of the National Secial Work Council as a discussion group to explore the size and content of the problem and, if possible, to work out some practical plan for its relief." - Dr. Ellen C. Potter, "The Problem of the Transient, 1934

Which situation contributed to the problem described in this excerpt?

A. Migration caused by racial discrimination during World War I.

B. Homelessness caused by unemployment during the Great Depression

C. Rate increases imposed by the railroad industry during the early 30's

D. Strict bank regulations made by the federal government during the Great Depression

Answer 1

B. Homelessness caused by unemployment during the Great Depression

This choice accurately reflects the context of the excerpt, which discusses boys and young men "riding the rods" of the railroads, indicating a situation of homelessness and transience exacerbated by the economic hardships of the Great Depression.