Question

examining research
research suggests that the greater the number of risk factors that a youth experiences, the more likely he or she is to join a gang. it also shows that a youth’s risk for gang involvement significantly increases as he or she accrues more than two risk factors. therefore, prevention programs that target risk factors can help mitigate youth gang involvement.
—“risk & protective factors,” youth.gov
based on this passage, what can you conclude about the relationship between risk factors and gang membership?
○ an increase in youth risk factors and the desire to join a gang are directly related to each other.
○ low self - esteem is all that is needed for a young person to be more likely to join a gang.
× risk factors have little effect on a person’s final decision to join a gang.
○ prevention programs should target one specific type of risk factor to reduce gang membership.

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option 1: The passage states that more risk factors increase the likelihood of gang joining, and prevention programs targeting risk factors help. So an increase in risk factors and desire to join (linked to likelihood) are directly related. This matches the passage.
2. Analyze Option 2: The passage doesn't say low self - esteem (a single factor) is all that's needed. It's about the number of risk factors, so this is wrong.
3. Analyze Option 3: The passage says more risk factors increase likelihood, so risk factors have a significant effect, making this option wrong.
4. Analyze Option 4: The passage says prevention programs target risk factors (plural, not one specific type), so this is wrong.

Answer:

A. An increase in youth risk factors and the desire to join a gang are directly related to each other.