The Works Progress Administration (

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was formed in 1935 during the height of the Great Depression as part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal package to bring the economy around and provide relief for the millions of unemployed throughout the country; the goal of the program was to maintain peoples' skills and respect by providing work to as many as possible during this period of massive unemployment. For the eight years that the WPA was in existence from 1935 to 1943, the WPA was responsible for providing jobs to approximately eight million people at a cost of more than eleven billion dollars.
One of the more controversial programs of the WPA was the Federal Arts Project, a program to employ artists full-time at such tasks as painting murals in libraries, theaters, train stations, and airports; teaching various techniques of art; and preparing a comprehensive study of American crafts. Criticism of the program centered on what was perceived as the frivolity of supporting the arts at a time when millions were starving, industry was sagging, farms were barren, and all that could flourish were bankruptcy courts and soup kitchens.
51. This passage mainly discusses
A. the Great Depression B. the benefits of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal
C. the New Deal and one of its controversies D. bankruptcy courts and soup kitchens
52. The word "package" could best be replaced by
A. carton B. secret gift C. box D. bundle of ralated items
53. According to the passage, the stated purpose of the WPA was to
A. create new American masterpieces B. raise the standard of American art
C. introduce new art techniques to the American public D. improve the economy
54. The word "massive" in line 5 is closest in meaning to
A. tremendous B. rocky C. clustered D. dangerous
55 The word "controversial" is closest in meaning to
A. disputed B. successful C. creative D. comprehensive
56. All the following probably helped to make the Federal Arts Project controversial EXCEPT that
A. the Federal Arts Project employed many who would otherwise have been out of work
B. train stations and airports were decorated with murals
C. the Federal Arts Project commissioned art works
D. a tremendous study of American crafts was produced
57. The expression "centered on" could best be replaced by
A. encircled B. located on C. focused on D. surrounded
58. When the author states that "... all that could flourish were bankruptcy courts and soup kitchens," he or she probably means that
A. banks and restaurants did well during the Depression
B. the poor could not afford to use banks or eat soup
C. the only organizations to thrive were those that dealt with the poor
D. many restaurants declared bankruptcy during the Depression
59. Where in the passage does the author give examples of artistic jobs?
A. lines 1-6 B. lines 6-8 C. lines 9-12 D. lines 12-15