III. Reading Comprehension (20%) Passage 1        A universal basic income is a government guarantee that each citizen receives a minimum income. Theintention behind the payment is to provide financial security and cover the basic cost of living. The concept hased popularity as a way to offset job losses caused by technology. Plans differ on who receivSome would pay every citizen, regardless of income. Others would only pay those who are below the povertyline, whether they are working or not. The government sends the check, but plans differ on who funds theincome. Some plans call for a tax increase on the wealthy, while others say corporations should be taxed.        In 2018, Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes outlined his plan in his book "'Fair Shot." He argues that U.S.workers, students, and caregivers making Ss0,000 or less a year should receive a guaranteed income of S500 amonth because "a small group of people arc getting extremely wealthy while everyone else is struggling tomake ends meet." The increasing number of positions in part-time, contract, and temporary jobs can't provideenough for a decent standard of living. Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates agree. They argue that automation,robotics, and artificial intelligence have fundamentally changed the structure of the U.S. economy, and auniversal income is the only solution.
       Proponents argue that an unconditional basic income would enable workers to wait for a better job orove their marketability by going back to schoo!. It would also remove the problems of exprograms with a simple cash payment that can cut down on bureaucracy. However, opponents argue that itwould create inflation if everyone suddenly received a basic income. Higher prices would soon make the basicsunaffordable to those at the bottom of the income pyramid. In the long run, a guaranteed income would not raisetheir standard of living. Moreover, it could reduce an already-falling labor force participation rate.        Universal basic income is still experimental in several countries, including the United States, Canada, andFinland. It's too early to tell if these pilot programs will work. The universal income's simplicity makes it anctive alternative to welfare programs, but its proponents haven't suggested solutions to its several poissues.
【題組】26. What is the main problem to be addressed in this passage?
(A) Lack of market niche for artificial intelligence.
(B) Disparity of employment rates among nations.
(C) Poverty caused by the new economy structure.
(D) Universal tax inequality between rich and poor.