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Quiz about US World War II Rationing
Quiz about US World War II Rationing

US World War II Rationing Trivia Quiz


During war, sacrifices are required by both the military and those they left behind. Here are some questions about wartime rationing on the home front during WW2 in the US.

A multiple-choice quiz by Rehaberpro. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
Rehaberpro
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
334,867
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
5 / 10
Plays
2335
Awards
Top 5% quiz!
Last 3 plays: Guest 174 (6/10), Guest 76 (4/10), Guest 50 (5/10).
Question 1 of 10
1. The rationing program was supervised by the OPA. What did OPA stand for? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. What was the main reason for rationing gas? To save gas or to save rubber?

Answer: (One Word rubber or gas)
Question 3 of 10
3. The most restrictive gas ration card was known as the 'A' card. How many gallons of gas did it allow one able to purchase in a week? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Most of the rationing started in 1942. What item stayed on the ration list the longest? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Another item that was rationed was clothing. Which one of these restrictions was NOT a requirement? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. For food rationing, how many ration books would have been issued to a family of four consisting of two adults and two children? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Suppose a can of peas was sixteen points. Your ration coupons are in fives. You give the grocer twenty points. What happens next? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Typically, each ration book had 48 points per month. Which of these four items would have cost the most ration coupons? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Which of these items were NOT on on the lengthy ration list? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Rationing caused Americans to be creative with necessary but rationed items. Which of these was NOT a positive benefit of the era of rationing? Hint



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quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The rationing program was supervised by the OPA. What did OPA stand for?

Answer: Office of Price Administration

The OPA was originally set up to control prices in August 1941 by Presidential Executive Order with the intent to control inflation. After the war stated in December 1941, its powers were extended to include the rationing of key items, such as tires, automobiles, shoes, nylon, sugar, gasoline, fuel oil, coffee, meats and processed foods. 90% of retail food prices were frozen.
2. What was the main reason for rationing gas? To save gas or to save rubber?

Answer: rubber

The Allies controlled about 80% of the world's oil production. The Japanese controlled most rubber production. In order to save rubber, gas was rationed. The tire re-cap business boomed.
3. The most restrictive gas ration card was known as the 'A' card. How many gallons of gas did it allow one able to purchase in a week?

Answer: Four gallons

Persons who had 'A' cards were considered as non-essential users. By 1945 more than half the cars on the road had 'A' stickers.

'B' cards allowed eight gallons but you had to be classified as an essential worker, such as working in an war plant.

'C' cards were issued to physicians, ministers, mail carriers and railroad
workers, and were pretty much unrestricted.

'T' cards were for truckers and were unrestricted.

'X' cards were also unrestricted and were for VIPs, such as members of Congress.

The system led to the growth of the black market and counterfeiting. 'C' cards were the most counterfeited. In addition, the government decreed a "victory speed [limit]" of 40 mph but some open roads were posted at thirty five.
4. Most of the rationing started in 1942. What item stayed on the ration list the longest?

Answer: Sugar

Most rationed items came off in 1945 but sugar continued to be rationed until 1947. As with rubber, the resources for sugar was not controlled by the Allies. Production of sugar from beets was below expectation. Even after the war, it took some time to restore sugar production to pre-war levels.
5. Another item that was rationed was clothing. Which one of these restrictions was NOT a requirement?

Answer: No skirts below the knees.

America seemed to adjust to these restrictions although the role of government in fashion design was questioned. Exemptions were made for bridal gowns, maternity dresses, and religious vestments.
6. For food rationing, how many ration books would have been issued to a family of four consisting of two adults and two children?

Answer: Four

There was a ration book for each member of the family. The family could use any books for purchases. No distinction was made between adults and children.
7. Suppose a can of peas was sixteen points. Your ration coupons are in fives. You give the grocer twenty points. What happens next?

Answer: The grocer gives you four cardboard tokens.

Red and blue chips or tokens, generally in denominations of one, were issued to keep the point system working. Ration books had a built-in slot to save the point tokens.
8. Typically, each ration book had 48 points per month. Which of these four items would have cost the most ration coupons?

Answer: canned pineapple

Fruit was generally most costly in terms of ration points than vegetables. The pineapple was 24 points, the peas 16, the green beans 11, and the soup 6.
9. Which of these items were NOT on on the lengthy ration list?

Answer: Perishables such as eggs, milk, and fresh vegetables

There seemed to be an adequate supply of milk and eggs although cheese was rationed. Nearly all products containing significant amounts of metal were rationed and could only be obtained by special application.
10. Rationing caused Americans to be creative with necessary but rationed items. Which of these was NOT a positive benefit of the era of rationing?

Answer: Development of alternative means of obtaining rationed items

Put another way, the black market was in full swing. People made counterfeit ration books, bought products at high costs without coupons, people lied about the number of members in their families. The black market dealt in clothing, liquor, meat, sugar, and gasoline. If you were willing to pay the price, many rationed items could be gotten, even with constant publicly on evils of the black market and appeals to patriotism.

The black market was just one example of war time profiteering.
Source: Author Rehaberpro

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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