Since 1935, the income distribution in the United States has a. widened slightly from 1935 to 1970 and then narrowed slightly from 1970 to today b. slowly narrowed c. slowly widened d. narrowed slightly from 1935 to 1970 and then widened slightly from 1970 to today

\[ \textbf{Step 1: Understand the Procedural History} \] Since the 1930s, the U.S. has seen significant changes in income distribution. After the Great Depression and during the New Deal, policies were implemented that reduced income inequality. This trend continued until around 1970. \[ \textbf{Step 2: Analyze the Time Periods} \] - From 1935 to 1970: Income distribution became more equal, meaning income inequality narrowed. - From 1970 to today: Economic trends, policy changes, and globalization contributed to a reversal of that trend, causing income inequality to widen. \[ \textbf{Step 3: Match the Observations with the Answer Choices} \] - Option (a) states that income disparity widened first and then narrowed; this is the opposite of the observed trend. - Option (b) states a continual narrowing of income distribution, which does not align with recent trends. - Option (c) states a continual widening of income distribution, which ignores the narrowing trend from 1935 to 1970. - Option (d) matches the historical trend: \(\textbf{narrowed slightly from 1935 to 1970 and then widened slightly from 1970 to today}\). \[ \textbf{Conclusion} \] The correct answer is: \[ \textbf{d. narrowly from 1935 to 1970 and then widened slightly from 1970 to today.} \]