Russia's teens enjoy new freedoms, but social and economic ills abound.

• Position: Graph Exercise

Today's young Russians have been freed from the dictatorial rule that older generations of Russians endured in the Soviet Union under Communism between 1917 and 1991. But along with new political freedoms a host of social and economic problems remain, many of which have fallen on the shoulders of those Russian teens who live in areas of the country far beyond the bright lights of big cities like Moscow. Poverty, illness, and even a declining life expectancy confront millions of young Russians today. The data in this graph, gathered in studies conducted throughout the 1990s, show selected examples of economic and social problems encountered by Russian teens and families. Use the data in the graph to answer the questions below.

1. Exact comparisons with U.S. teens are not available. But a survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta found that the health of about 98 percent of Americans ages 12 to 17 ranged from good to excellent. How many percentage points separate the U.S. figure from that of Russian teens 15 to 17 who had some form of general sickness?

   (a) 65 (b) 60 (c) 55 (d) 50

2. A study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles, found that about 20 percent of American children and teens suffer some type of mental health problem. How many percentage points separate the U.S. figure from that of Russian teens who have achieved normal mental development for their age? __percentage points

3. About__percentage points separate Russian families with four or more children who live in poverty from families...