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Directions for Q. 26 to 32: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Though the US prides itself on being a leader in the world community, a recent report shows that it lags far behind other industrialized countries in meeting the needs of its youngest and most vulnerable citizens. The US has a higher infant mortality rate, a higher portion of low birth weight babies, a smaller portion of babies immunized against childhood diseases and a much higher rate of adolescent pregnancies. These findings are described as a ?quiet crisis? requiring immediate and far-reaching action, appeared in a report prepared by a task force of educators, doctors, politicians and business people. According to the report one-fourth of the Nation?s 12 million infant and toddlers live in poverty. As many as half confront risk factors that could harm their ability to develop intellectually, physically and socially. Child immunizations are too low, more children are born into poverty, and more are in sub-standard care while their parents work and more are being raised by single parents. When taken together, these and other risk factors can lead to educational and health problems that are much harder and more costly to reverse. The crisis begins in the womb with unplanned parent-hood. Women with unplanned pregnancies are less likely to seek pre-natal care. In the US 80% of teenage pregnancies and 56% of all pregnancies are unplanned. The problems continue after birth where unplanned pregnancies and unstable partnerships often go hand in hand. Since 1950, the number of single parent families has nearly tripled. More than 25% of all births today are the unmarried mothers. As the number of single parent families grows and more women enter the work force, infant and toddlers are increasingly in the care of people other than their parents. More disturbingly, recent statistics show that American parents are increasingly neglecting or abusing their children. In only four years from 1987-1991, the number of children in foster care increased by over 50%. Babies under the age of one are the fastest growing category of children entering foster care. The crisis affects children under the age of three most severely the report says. Yes, it is this period-from infancy through pre-school years that sets the stage for a child's future.

Read the following factors X, Y and Z and decide which one or two of them is/are responsible for the physical, intellectual and social under development of infants in the US. X-Illiteracy of parents Y-Lack of parental care Z-Poverty

A)  only X                                  

B)  only Y

C)   only Z                                 

D)  both Y and Z