Stocks are: a. securities that represent a debt to be paid. b. contracts that represent a guaranteed payment. c. not available for individual investors. d. ownership shares in a firm. e. markets in which securities are bought and sold.

The poverty threshold is a level that is determined by the federal government. The household poverty level is determined by the number of people who live in the home, with the poverty level rising as the number of residents increases.

Although a person may be employed, it does not mean that they have earnings about the poverty level. Being employed and having earnings above the poverty level are two separate items that are not dependent on each other.