Questions: Americans tend to prefer government programs whose benefits they feel have been earned in some way. donated earned reduced appreciated

The answer is "earned": Americans tend to prefer government programs whose benefits they feel have been earned in some way.

Explanation for each option:

1. Donated: This option implies that the benefits are given freely without any requirement or effort from the recipients. While charitable donations are valued, government programs are often scrutinized for how they allocate resources, and there is a general preference for programs where recipients contribute or qualify through some form of effort or merit.

2. Earned: This is the correct answer. Many Americans value the idea of meritocracy and believe that benefits should be tied to some form of contribution, such as work, service, or other qualifying criteria. Programs like Social Security and Medicare, which are funded through payroll taxes, are often seen as benefits that have been earned by the recipients.

3. Reduced: This option does not fit the context of the sentence. Reducing benefits would generally be seen as a negative action, and it does not align with the idea of preferring programs based on how benefits are perceived.

4. Appreciated: While appreciation of benefits is important, this option does not capture the idea of a preference for programs where benefits are tied to some form of effort or qualification. It focuses more on the recipients' feelings rather than the structure of the program itself.

In summary, the concept of "earned" benefits aligns with the American value of meritocracy and the belief that government assistance should be tied to some form of contribution or qualification.