Which statement best describes the general standard of living in the USSR compared to the US?

The statement that the standard of living in the USSR was lower than in the US but with rare extreme poverty captures an important aspect of the economic and social conditions in both countries during the Cold War period.

In the United States, the post-World War II era experienced significant economic growth, leading to higher living standards, increased consumer goods availability, and an overall prosperous middle class. In contrast, while the USSR did strive to provide for citizens' basic needs, the quality and quantity of goods available were often limited due to central planning and production inefficiencies. As a result, the general standard of living was typically lower in the USSR, characterized by shortages of consumer goods and less variety than found in the US.

However, the Soviet Union also implemented policies aimed at eradicating extreme poverty, ensuring that basic needs such as healthcare, education, and employment were generally met. This contributed to the perception that while the standard of living was lower overall, extreme poverty was not as prevalent, particularly when compared to some other nations at different points in history.

This combination of limited consumer goods and a lack of extreme poverty succinctly underscores the complexities of life in the USSR compared to the US.