In 1936, how many people had an inadequate diet?

• A. 4.5 million
• B. 2 million
• C. 6 million
• D. 1 million

Answer: (A)

This item tests your ability to read a specific statistic about nutrition and hardship in the 1930s. In 1936, the data show about 4.5 million people had an inadequate diet, a figure that reflects the ongoing level of deprivation after the worst years of unemployment and low wages. This number is the one that matches the source’s 1936 data point for malnutrition, which is why it’s the best choice. The other figures don’t align with the 1936 nutrition data in the material, as they would correspond to different years or different measures of poverty.