Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 29 to 33. Housing benefit, a government assistance program aimed at helping families (29) _____ low incomes and individuals afford housing, has been a hot topic of debate for years. In the UK, over four million people receive housing benefit, and the government spends billions of pounds each year on the program. Critics ...

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 29 to 33.

Housing benefit, a government assistance program aimed at helping families (29) _____ low incomes and individuals afford housing, has been a hot topic of debate for years. In the UK, over four million people receive housing benefit, and the government spends billions of pounds each year on the program. Critics argue that housing benefit creates a dependency on the government and (30) _____ individuals from seeking employment. In addition, some landlords take advantage of the program by charging (31) _____ rents that are covered by the benefit, which can contribute to rising housing costs. However, proponents of housing benefit argue that it is a necessary safety net for those who are struggling to make ends meet. (32) _____ this support, many families and individuals would be unable to afford decent housing, leading to homelessness and other social problems. In recent years, the government has introduced a number of changes to the housing benefit system, including a cap on the amount of benefit that can be received and the introduction of a bedroom tax. These changes have been controversial, with critics arguing that they disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society. (33) _____ the criticisms, it is likely that the demand for housing benefit will continue to grow, as the cost of housing continues to rise and wages fail to keep pace.