USA Trivia 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'gross pay' mean on a U.S. paycheck?
- Pay after all taxes and deductions
- Pay before any taxes or deductions are taken out (Correct answer)
- The annual salary divided by 26
- The minimum wage multiplied by hours worked
Correct answer: Pay before any taxes or deductions are taken out
Gross pay is the total amount earned before taxes, insurance premiums, retirement contributions, or any other deductions are subtracted.
Question 2: Which U.S. law requires employers with 50 or more employees to offer health insurance or face a penalty?
- HIPAA
- ERISA
- The Affordable Care Act (ACA) (Correct answer)
- COBRA
Correct answer: The Affordable Care Act (ACA)
The Affordable Care Act's employer mandate requires applicable large employers (50+ full-time equivalents) to offer minimum essential health coverage or pay a tax penalty.
Question 3: In U.S. business culture, what does it mean to 'table' a discussion during a meeting?
- To bring a topic up for immediate debate
- To postpone or set aside a topic for a later time (Correct answer)
- To document the topic in writing
- To assign the topic to a committee
Correct answer: To postpone or set aside a topic for a later time
In American English, to 'table' something means to postpone it — the opposite of British English, where it means to bring it forward for discussion.
Question 4: What is a '401(k)' plan?
- A federal health insurance program for retirees
- An employer-sponsored retirement savings account with tax advantages (Correct answer)
- A type of life insurance policy
- A government pension for federal employees
Correct answer: An employer-sponsored retirement savings account with tax advantages
A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored, tax-advantaged retirement savings plan that allows employees to contribute pre-tax income from their paychecks.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes 'professional references' in a job application?
- Documents proving academic credentials
- People who can vouch for an applicant's work performance and character (Correct answer)
- Letters from personal friends or family members
- Published articles authored by the applicant
Correct answer: People who can vouch for an applicant's work performance and character
Professional references are individuals — typically former supervisors or colleagues — who can speak to an applicant's skills, work ethic, and professional conduct.
Question 6: Which U.S. federal minimum wage has been in effect since 2009?
- $6.55 per hour
- $7.25 per hour (Correct answer)
- $8.00 per hour
- $10.10 per hour
Correct answer: $7.25 per hour
The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 per hour since July 24, 2009, though many states and localities have set higher minimums.
Question 7: In a U.S. hiring context, which question is generally illegal for an employer to ask during an interview?
- 'Can you describe your greatest professional achievement?'
- 'Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?'
- 'What is your religion?' (Correct answer)
- 'What is your experience with project management software?'
Correct answer: 'What is your religion?'
Asking about a candidate's religion violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as it could lead to discriminatory hiring decisions based on a protected characteristic.
USA Trivia 4
What does the term 'gross pay' mean on a U.S. paycheck?