Testbank Microeconomicschapter 1

Chapter 1
Ten Principles of Economics
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1

.

The word economy comes from the Greek word for
a. “environment.”
b. “one who participates in a market.”
c. “one who manages a household.”
d. “conservation.”
ANSWER: c.
“one who manages a household.”
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2

.

Economics deals primarily with the concept of
a. poverty.
b. scarcity.
c. change.
d. power.
ANSWER: b. scarcity.
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3

.

Which of the following is NOT included in the decisions that every society must make?

a. what goods will be produced
b. what determines consumer preferences
c. who will produce goods
d. who will consume the goods
ANSWER: b. what determines consumer preferences
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4

.

Scarcity exists when
a. there is less than an infinite amount of a resource or good.
b. there is less of a good or resource available than people wish to have.
c. society can meet the wants of every individual.
d. the price of a good rises.
ANSWER: b. there is less of a good or resource available than people wish to have.
TYPE: M KEY1: D OBJECTIVE: 1 RANDOM: Y
5

.

For society, a good is not scarce if
a. all members of society can have all they want of it.
b. at least one individual in society can obtain all he or she wants of the good.
c. firms are producing at full capacity.
d. those who have enough income can buy all they want of the good.
ANSWER: a.
if all members of society can have all they want of it.
TYPE: M KEY1: D OBJECTIVE: 1 RANDOM: Y

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6

.

Which of the following goods best meets the definition of scarcity?
a. air
b. wood in a forest
c. water in the ocean
d. water in a city
ANSWER: d. water in a city
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7

.

Economics is defined as
a. the study of business.
b. the study of how society manages its scarce resources.
c. the study of central planning.
d. the study of government regulation.
ANSWER: b. the study of how society manages its scarce resources.

TYPE: M KEY1: D OBJECTIVE: 1 RANDOM: Y
8

.

Which of the following is NOT a major area of study for economists?
a. how people make decisions
b. how people interact with each other
c. how forces and trends affect the overall economy
d. how countries choose national leaders
ANSWER: d. how countries choose national leaders
TYPE: M KEY1: D OBJECTIVE: 1 RANDOM: Y
9

.

The adage, “There is no such thing as a free lunch,” means:
a. To get something we like, we usually have to give up another thing we like.
b. Even people on welfare have to pay for food these days.
c. The cost of living is always increasing.
d. All costs are measured in dollars.
ANSWER: a.
To get something we like, we usually have to give up another thing we like.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 2 RANDOM: Y
10

.

Daniel decides to spend an hour playing basketball rather than working at $6 per hour. His tradeoff
is

a. nothing, because he enjoys playing basketball more than working.
b. the increase in skill he obtains from playing basketball for that hour.
c. the $6 he could have earned.
d. nothing, because he spent $6 for admission into the sports complex to play basketball.
ANSWER: c.
the $6 he could have earned.
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 2 RANDOM: Y
11

.

When society requires that firms reduce pollution,
a. there is no tradeoff, since everyone benefits from reduced pollution.
b. there is no tradeoff for society as a whole, since the cost of reducing pollution falls only on the
firms affected by the requirements.

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Chapter 1/The Ten Principles of Economics
c. there is a tradeoff only if some firms are forced to close.
d. there is a tradeoff because of reduced incomes to the firms’ owners, workers, and customers.
ANSWER: d. there is a tradeoff because of reduced incomes to the firms’ owners, workers, and
customers.
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12

.

Efficiency means that

a. society is getting the most it can from its scarce resources.
b. society is conserving resources in order to save them for the future.
c. society’s goods and services are distributed fairly among society’s members.
d. society has lessened its dependence on foreign energy sources.
ANSWER: a.
society is getting the most it can from its scarce resources.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 3 RANDOM: Y
13

.

Equity means that
a. all members of society have the same income.
b. society is getting the most it can from its scarce resources.
c. society’s goods and services are distributed according to need.
d. the benefits of society’s resources are distributed fairly among society’s members.
ANSWER: d. the benefits of society’s resources are distributed fairly among society’s members.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 3 RANDOM: Y
14

.

A good definition of equity would be
a. everyone receiving the same income.
b. fairness.
c. efficiency.
d. eliminating extreme affluence.
ANSWER: b. fairness.
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15

.

When government policies are being designed,
a. equity and efficiency goals are usually independent of each other.
b. there is usually a tradeoff between equity and efficiency.
c. equity can usually be achieved without an efficiency loss.
d. increasing efficiency usually results in more equity.
ANSWER: b. there is usually a tradeoff between equity and efficiency.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 3 RANDOM: Y
16

.

When the government redistributes income from the rich to the poor,
a. efficiency is improved.
b. both rich people and poor people benefit directly.
c. people work less and produce fewer goods and services.
d. rich people consume fewer goods and poor people consume more goods, resulting in no real
change.
ANSWER: c.
people work less and produce fewer goods and services.
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 3 RANDOM: Y

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17

.

In economics, the cost of something is
a. the out-of-pocket expense of obtaining it.
b. what you give up to get it.
c. always measured in units of time.
d. always higher than people think.
ANSWER: b. what you give up to get it.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 3 RANDOM: Y
18

.

The opportunity cost of going to college is
a. the total spent on food, clothing, books, transportation, tuition, lodging, and other expenses.
b. zero for students who are fortunate enough to have all of their college expenses paid by someone
else.
c. the value of the best opportunity a student gives up to attend college.
d. zero, since a college education will allow a student to earn a larger income after graduation.
ANSWER: c.
the value of the best opportunity a student gives up to attend college.
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 3 RANDOM: Y
19

.

For most students, the largest single cost of a college education is
a. transportation, parking, and entertainment.
b. tuition, fees, and books.
c. room and board.
d. the wages given up to attend school.
ANSWER: d. the wages given up to attend school.
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 2 RANDOM: Y
20

.

The opportunity cost of an item is
a. the number of hours needed to earn money to buy it.
b. what you give up to get that item.
c. always less than the dollar value of the item.
d. always equal to the dollar value of the item.
ANSWER: b. what you give up to get that item.
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21

.

Carolyn decides to spend an additional hour working overtime rather than watching a video with
her friends. She earns $8 for her hour’s work. Her opportunity cost of working is
a. the $8 she earns.
b. the enjoyment she would have received had she watched the video.
c. the $8 minus the enjoyment she would have received from watching the video.
d. nothing, since she would have received less than $8 of enjoyment from the video.
ANSWER: b. the enjoyment she would have received had she watched the video.

TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 4 RANDOM: Y
22

.

Ryan spends an hour studying instead of going for a bike ride. The opportunity cost to him of
studying is

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Chapter 1/The Ten Principles of Economics

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a. the improvement in his grades from studying for the hour.
b. the difference between the improvement in his grades from studying minus the enjoyment of a
bike ride.
c. the enjoyment and exercise he would have received had he gone for a bike ride.
d. zero. Since Ryan chose to study rather than to ride his bike, the value of studying must have been
greater than the value of the bike ride.
ANSWER: c.
the enjoyment and exercise he would have received had he gone for a bike ride.
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 3 RANDOM: Y
23

.

College-age athletes who drop out of school to play professional sports
a. are making a bad economic decision, since they can’t play forever.

b. are unaware of their opportunity cost of attending college.
c. underestimate the value of a college education.
d. are well aware that their opportunity cost of attending college is very high.
ANSWER: d. are well aware that their opportunity cost of attending college is very high.
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24

.

The term which means whatever must be given up to obtain an item is
a. efficiency.
b. externality.
c. opportunity cost.
d. market failure.
ANSWER: c.
opportunity cost.
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25

.

People make decisions at the margin by
a. following tradition.
b. comparing costs and benefits.
c. experience.
d. calculating dollar costs.
ANSWER: b. comparing costs and benefits.
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26

.

A marginal change is
a. a long-term trend.
b. a large, significant adjustment.
c. a change for the worse.
d. a small incremental adjustment.
ANSWER: d. a small incremental adjustment.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 4 RANDOM: Y

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27

.

Which of the following is the best example of a marginal change?
a. Mark graduates from college and takes a job. His income increases from $10,000 per year to
$50,000 per year.
b. The price of housing rises in Seattle by 25% in one year.
c. Kim works at the college bookstore. She gets a raise from $5.15 per hour to $5.20 per hour.
d. A drought hits the upper Midwest and the price of wheat increases from $4.00 per bushel to $8.00
per bushel.
ANSWER: c.
Kim works at the college bookstore. She gets a raise from $5.15 per hour to $5.20 per

hour.
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28

.

A rational decisionmaker takes an action only if
a. the marginal benefit is greater than the marginal cost.
b. the marginal benefit is less than the marginal cost.
c. the average benefit is greater than the average cost.
d. the marginal benefit is greater than both the average cost and the marginal cost.
ANSWER: a.
the marginal benefit is greater than the marginal cost.
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29

.

You have spent $500 purchasing and repairing an old car which you expect to sell for $800 once the
repairs are complete. You discover that you need an additional part, which will cost $400, including
labor, in order to complete the repairs. You can sell the car as it is now for $300.
What should
you do?
a. You should complete the repairs and sell the car.
b. You should cut your losses and take the $300.
c. You should never sell something for less than it costs.
d. It doesn’t matter which action you take; the outcome is the same either way.
ANSWER: a.
You should complete the repairs and sell the car.
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30

.

Economists understand that people respond to
a. the wishes of policymakers.
b. incentives.
c. threats more than rewards.
d. tax breaks, but not tax hikes.
ANSWER: b. incentives.
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31

.

Which of the following is important for policy makers to consider when designing public policy?
a. the possibility that policies might change behavior
b. the direct effect of policies
c. the indirect effect of policies
d. all of the above
ANSWER: d. all of the above
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32

.

U.S. laws requiring that drivers wear seat belts have resulted in

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Chapter 1/The Ten Principles of Economics
a. a reduction in both driver deaths and pedestrian deaths.
b. fewer accidents and fewer deaths per accident.
c. little change in the number of driver deaths, but more accidents and more pedestrian deaths.
d. fewer driver deaths, fewer accidents and fewer pedestrian deaths.
ANSWER: c.
little change in the number of driver deaths, but more accidents and more pedestrian
deaths.
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33

.

One effect of a government imposed seat belt law has been
a. fewer pedestrian deaths.
b. safer driving.
c. an increase in the number of accidents.
d. that everyone now wears seat belts.
ANSWER: c.
an increase in the number of accidents.
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 5 RANDOM: Y
34

.

In the former Soviet Union, producers were paid for meeting output targets, not for selling
products. Under those circumstances, what were the economic incentives for producers?
a. to produce good quality products so that society benefits from the resources used
b. to conserve on costs, so as to maintain efficiency in the economy

c. to produce those products that society desires most
d. to produce enough to meet the output target, without regard for quality or cost
ANSWER: d. to produce enough to meet the output target, without regard for quality or cost
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 5 RANDOM: Y
35

.

Trade can benefit a family
a. by allowing the family to buy a greater variety of goods and services at a lower cost.
b. by allowing each person to specialize in the activities he or she does best.
c. a and b
d. only if the family is not in economic competition with other families.
ANSWER: c.
a and b
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36

.

Which is the most accurate statement about trade?
a. Trade makes some nations better off and others worse off.
b. Trade can make every nation better off.
c. Trading for a good can make a nation better off only if the nation cannot produce that good.
d. Trade helps rich nations and hurts poor nations.
ANSWER: b. Trade can make every nation better off.
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37

.

Trade between the United States and Mexico
a. is a losing proposition for Mexico because U.S. workers are more productive.
b. is a losing proposition for the U.S. because Mexico has cheaper labor.
c. is like a sports contest: one side wins and the other side loses.
d. benefits both the United States and Mexico.
ANSWER: d. benefits both the United States and Mexico.
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 6 RANDOM: Y
38

.

The United States can benefit from trade
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a. with any nation.
b. only with nations which can produce goods the U.S. cannot produce.
c. with any nation not in economic competition with the U.S.
d. only with less-developed nations.
ANSWER: a.
with any nation.
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39

.

If Canada is better than the U.S. at producing hockey sticks, but the U.S. is better than Canada at
producing roller blades,
a. the U.S. should impose a tariff on Canadian hockey sticks in order to protect jobs in the U.S. roller
blade industry.
b. the U.S. should sell roller blades to Canada, and should buy Canadian hockey sticks.
c. the U.S. should subsidize its hockey stick industry so that it can compete with Canadian hockey
sticks.
d. the U.S. should put a quota on the amount of Canadian hockey sticks imported.
ANSWER: b. the U.S. should sell roller blades to Canada, and should buy Canadian hockey sticks.
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 6 RANDOM: Y
40

.

Which of the following is the best statement about markets?
a. Markets are usually a good way to organize economic activity.
b. Markets are usually inferior to central planning as a way to organize economic activity.
c. Markets are flawed and are therefore not an acceptable way to organize economic activity.
d. Markets are a good way to organize economic activity in developed nations, but not in lessdeveloped nations.
ANSWER: a.
Markets are usually a good way to organize economic activity.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
41

.

In a market economy,

a. firms decide whom to hire and what to produce.
b. profit and self-interest guide the decisions of firms and households.
c. households decide which firms to work for and what to buy with their incomes.
d. all of the above
ANSWER: d. all of the above
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42

.

In a market economy, economic activity is guided by
a. the government.
b. prices.
c. central planners.
d. corporations.
ANSWER: b. prices.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y

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43

.

One advantage market economies have over central planning is that market economies

a. are more efficient.
b. solve the problem of scarcity.
c. establish government economic control.
d. provide an equal distribution of goods and services to consumers.
ANSWER: a.
are more efficient.
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44

.

Which of the following observations was made famous by Adam Smith in his book The Wealth of
Nations?
a. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
b. People buy more when prices are low than when prices are high.
c. No matter how much people earn, they tend to spend more than they earn.
d. Households and firms interacting in markets are guided by an “invisible hand” that leads them
to desirable market outcomes.
ANSWER: d. Households and firms interacting in markets are guided by an “invisible hand” that leads
them to desirable market outcomes.
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45

.

The “invisible hand” directs economic activity through
a. prices.
b. mass media.
c. subliminal messages.
d. government regulations.

ANSWER: a.
prices.
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46

.

Adam Smith's book The Wealth of Nations was published in
a. 1692.
b. 1776.
c. 1816.
d. 1936.
ANSWER: b. 1776.
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47

.

The invisible hand works to promote general well-being in the economy primarily through
a. government intervention.
b. the political process.
c. self interest.
d. altruism.
ANSWER: c.
self interest.
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48

.

Taxes adversely affect the allocation of resources in society because
a. they do not always fall more heavily on the rich.
b. the taxes collected are not enough to finance government.
c. they distort prices and thus the decisions of households and firms.
d. not everyone pays taxes.
ANSWER: c.
they distort prices and thus the decisions of households and firms.
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49

.

When the government prevents prices from adjusting naturally to supply and demand,
a. it stabilizes the economy.
b. it adversely affects the allocation of resources.
c. the improvement in equity justifies the reduction in efficiency.
d. the reduced uncertainty associated with fixed prices is worth more than the cost in lower
efficiency.
ANSWER: b. it adversely affects the allocation of resources.
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50

.

The term market failure refers to
a. a firm which is forced out of business because of losses.
b. an unsuccessful advertising campaign.
c. a situation in which competition among firms becomes ruthless.
d. a situation in which the market on its own fails to allocate resources efficiently.
ANSWER: d. a situation in which the market on its own fails to allocate resources efficiently.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
51

.

The two best reasons for a government to intervene in a market are
a. to raise revenues and to promote stability.
b. to promote equity and to raise revenues.
c. to promote efficiency and to raise revenues.
d. to promote equity and to promote efficiency.
ANSWER: d. to promote equity and to promote efficiency.
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
52

.

Causes of market failure include
a. externalities and foreign competition.
b. market power and incorrect forecasts of consumer demand.
c. externalities and market power.
d. incorrect forecasts of consumer demand and foreign competition.
ANSWER: c.

externalities and market power.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
53

.

An externality is
a. the impact of society’s decisions on the well-being of society.
b. the impact of a person’s actions on that person’s well-being.
c. the impact of society’s decisions on the well-being of one person.
d. the impact of one person’s actions on the well-being of a bystander.
ANSWER: d. the impact of one person’s actions on the well-being of a bystander.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y

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54

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An example of an externality is
a. the impact of bad weather on the income of farmers.
b. the impact of the personal income tax on a person’s ability to purchase goods and services.
c. the impact of pollution from a factory on the health of people in the vicinity of the factory.
d. the impact of increases in health care costs on the health of individuals in society.

ANSWER: c.
the impact of pollution from a factory on the health of people in the vicinity of the
factory.
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55

.

If a copper refinery does NOT bear the entire cost of the smoke it emits,
a. it will eliminate all smoke so as to avoid the entire cost of the smoke.
b. it will emit lower levels of smoke.
c. it will emit an acceptable level of smoke.
d. it will emit too much smoke.
ANSWER: d. it will emit too much smoke.
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
56

.

A situation in which a market left on its own fails to allocate resources efficiently is known as
a. scarcity.
b. opportunity cost.
c. market failure.
d. market power.
ANSWER: c.
market failure.
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
57

.

A market economy rewards people according to
a. their need for goods and services.
b. how willing they are to work.
c. their ability to produce things of cultural importance.
d. their ability to produce things that other people are willing to pay for.
ANSWER: d. their ability to produce things that other people are willing to pay for.
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
58

.

Which of these consumption activities is most likely to cause an external cost?
a. An executive plays a vigorous game of golf.
b. A construction worker eats a sandwich during the lunch break.
c. A young mother exercises to an aerobics video.
d. A student in a dorm plays her CDs at 120 decibels late at night.
ANSWER: d. A student in a dorm plays her CDs at 120 decibels late at night.
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59

.

If education produces external benefits for society, which of the following might be an appropriate
policy for society to establish regarding education?
a. public subsidies of education
b. mandatory minimum levels of education
c. tax incentives for schooling
d. all of the above
ANSWER: d. all of the above

TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
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60

.

If a sawmill creates too much air pollution,
a. interference by the government will surely make the matter worse.
b. a sense of social responsibility will cause the owners of the mill to reduce pollution.
c. the government can raise economic well-being by providing health care to those affected by the
pollution.
d. the government can raise economic well-being through environmental regulation.
ANSWER: d. the government can raise economic well-being through environmental regulation.
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
61

.

Market power refers to
a. the relative importance of a market to the overall economy.
b. the ability of a person or group of people to successfully market new products.
c. the power of the government to regulate a market.
d. the power of a single person (or small group of people) to unduly influence market prices.
ANSWER: d. the power of a single person (or small group of people) to unduly influence market

prices.
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62

.

An example of a monopoly would be
a. a sole provider of electrical power in a city.
b. a gasoline service station in Los Angeles.
c. a grocery store in Chicago.
d. a hospital in Missouri.
ANSWER: a.
a sole provider of electrical power in a city.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
63

.

Which is the most correct statement about the invisible hand?
a. The invisible hand always ensures both equity and efficiency.
b. The invisible hand never ensures either equity or efficiency.
c. The invisible hand is more effective at ensuring equity than it is at ensuring efficiency.
d. The invisible hand is more effective at ensuring efficiency than it is at ensuring equity.
ANSWER: d. The invisible hand is more effective at ensuring efficiency than it is at ensuring equity.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
64

.

In the United States, higher income tax rates on rich people could be justified on the basis of

a. efficiency.
b. equity.
c. lack of other sources of government revenue.
d. government bias against the wealthy.
ANSWER: b. equity.
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65

.

Taxing high incomes at a higher rate than low incomes is most likely to do which of the following?
a. promote equity and promote efficiency
b. promote equity and hinder efficiency
c. hinder equity and promote efficiency
d. hinder equity and hinder efficiency
ANSWER: b. promote equity and hinder efficiency
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
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66

.

Upon what does a country’s standard of living depend?
a. its ability to produce goods and services

b. the amount of gold and silver the country has
c. the average amount of money individuals in the country have
d. its ability to protect its workers from foreign competition
ANSWER: a.
its ability to produce goods and services
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
67

.

In 1997 the average American had an income of about
a. $35,000.
b. $29,000.
c. $20,000.
d. $15,000.
ANSWER: b. $29,000.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
68

.

In the United States, incomes have historically grown about 2% per year. At this rate incomes will
double every
a. 10 years.
b. 25 years.
c. 35 years.
d. 50 years.
ANSWER: c.
35 years.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y

69

.

The income of a typical worker in a country is most closely linked to which of the following?
a. population
b. labor unions
c. productivity
d. government policies
ANSWER: c.
productivity
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
70

.

If the average income of an American is higher than the average income of an Italian, it is most
likely because
a. labor unions are more aggressive in the United States than in Italy.
b. the United States has a more industrial economy than Italy.
c. there is more competition in the United States than in Italy.
d. productivity is higher in the United States than in Italy.
ANSWER: d. productivity is higher in the United States than in Italy.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y

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71

.

A worker in Bangladesh can earn $1 per day making cotton cloth on a hand loom. A worker in the
United States can earn $100 per day making cotton cloth with a mechanical loom. What accounts for
the difference in wages?
a. U.S. textile workers belong to a union.
b. Labor is more productive when making cotton cloth with a mechanical loom than with a hand
loom.
c. There is little demand for cotton cloth in Bangladesh and great demand in the U.S.
d. Bangladesh has a low-wage policy to make its textile industry more competitive in world
markets.
ANSWER: b. Labor is more productive when making cotton cloth with a mechanical loom than with a
hand loom.
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
72

.

In the United States, incomes have historically grown
a. about 10 percent per year.
b. about 5 percent per year.
c. about 2 percent per year.
d. about 0.5 percent per year.
ANSWER: c.
about 2 percent per year.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y

73

.

Almost all variation in living standards is attributable to
a. differences in countries’ population growth rates.
b. differences in countries’ endowments of natural resources.
c. differences in countries’ productivity.
d. differences in countries’ defense budgets.
ANSWER: c.
differences in countries’ productivity.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
74

.

Productivity is defined as
a. the actual amount of effort workers put into an hour of working time.
b. the number of workers required to produce a given amount of goods and services.
c. the amount of labor which can be saved by replacing workers with machines.
d. the amount of goods and services produced from each hour of a worker’s time.
ANSWER: d. the amount of goods and services produced from each hour of a worker’s time.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
75

.

The primary determinant of a country’s standard of living is
a. the government.
b. labor unions.

c. productivity.
d. minimum wage laws.
ANSWER: c.
productivity.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
76

.

The historical rise in living standards of American workers is primarily a result of

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Chapter 1/The Ten Principles of Economics

15

a. the influence of labor unions.
b. the rise in labor productivity.
c. minimum-wage laws.
d. tariff protection.
ANSWER: b. the rise in labor productivity.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
77

.

To increase living standards, public policy should
a. move workers into jobs directly from high school.

b. make unemployment benefits more liberal.
c. ensure that workers are well educated and have the necessary tools and technology.
d. ensure that workers have access to union membership and benefits.
ANSWER: c.
ensure that workers are well educated and have the necessary tools and technology.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
78

.

Concern among economists about the U.S. government’s budget deficit is based largely on
a. the likelihood that the deficit will cause the country to go bankrupt.
b. the deficit’s adverse impact on productivity.
c. the fact that part of the deficit is covered by borrowing from foreigners.
d. the fact that the deficit is covered by printing money.
ANSWER: b. the deficit’s adverse impact on productivity.
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
79

.

Which of the following tends to decrease productivity?
a. budget deficits
b. education
c. competition
d. investment
ANSWER: a.
budget deficits
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
80

.

In the United States, government deficits are financed by
a. printing money, which creates inflation.
b. borrowing, which reduces funds available for investment in human and physical capital.
c. taxes, which lowers the incentive for people to work.
d. confiscating property of criminals.
ANSWER: b. borrowing, which reduces funds available for investment in human and physical capital.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
81

.

Inflation is defined as
a. a period of rising productivity in the economy.
b. an increase in the overall level of output in the economy.
c. a period of rising income in the economy.
d. an increase in the overall level of prices in the economy.
ANSWER: d. an increase in the overall level of prices in the economy.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
82

.

One of the worst episodes of inflation occurred

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Chapter 1/The Ten Principles of Economics

a. in the United States in the 1960s.
b. in Germany in the 1920s.
c. in Russia in the 1930s.
d. in Japan in the 1950s.
ANSWER: b. in Germany in the 1920s.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
83

.

Large or persistent inflation is almost always caused by
a. inefficiency.
b. low productivity.
c. foreign competition.
d. growth in the quantity of money.
ANSWER: d. growth in the quantity of money.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
84

.

The person who referred to inflation as public enemy number one was
a. Richard Nixon.
b. Alan Greenspan.
c. Gerald Ford.
d. John F. Kennedy.

ANSWER: c.
Gerald Ford.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
85

.

In the 1990’s, inflation in the United States
a. was almost zero.
b. was about 3% per year.
c. approached double digits.
d. was caused by too much consumer spending.
ANSWER: b. was about 3% per year.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
86

.

Inflation causes
a. the value of money to fall.
b. productivity to increase.
c. the government to lower taxes.
d. the value of money to rise.
ANSWER: a.
the value of money to fall.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
87

.

Which of the following is the most correct statement about the relationship between inflation and
unemployment?
a. In the short run, reducing inflation is associated with rising unemployment.
b. In the short run, reducing inflation is associated with falling unemployment.
c. In the long run, reducing inflation is associated with falling unemployment.
d. In the long run, reducing inflation is associated with rising unemployment.
ANSWER: a.
In the short run, reducing inflation is associated with rising unemployment.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y

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Chapter 1/The Ten Principles of Economics

17

88

.

The tradeoff between inflation and unemployment is called
a. the Laffer curve.
b. the Lorenz curve.
c. the Demand curve.
d. the Phillips curve.
ANSWER: d. the Phillips curve.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
89

.

One explanation of the tradeoff between inflation and unemployment is that
a. prices are flexible.
b. prices are sticky.
c. prices always tend to rise.
d. unemployment increases demand.
ANSWER: b. prices are sticky.
TYPE: M KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
90

.

In the early 1980s, U.S. economic policy was directed toward reducing inflation. What would you
assume about inflation and unemployment during this period?
a. Inflation fell and unemployment increased.
b. Inflation and unemployment were both unaffected.
c. Inflation fell and unemployment fell.
d. Inflation fell and unemployment was unchanged.
ANSWER: a.
Inflation fell and unemployment increased.
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
91

.

Between 1929 and 1933, the U.S. economy went from a situation of full employment to one of 25%
unemployment. What do you assume happened to prices?
a. Prices were unaffected.
b. Prices fell and the economy experienced deflation.

c. Prices rose and the economy experienced inflation.
d. It is impossible to guess what happened to prices from the information given.
ANSWER: b. Prices fell and the economy experienced deflation.
TYPE: M KEY1: C SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
TRUE/FALSE
92

. The word economy comes from the Greek word for “conservation.”
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 1 RANDOM: Y
93

. Scarcity means that society has less to offer than people wish to have.
ANSWER: T
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 1 RANDOM: Y
94

. Economics is the study of how fairly goods and services are distributed within society.
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 1 RANDOM: Y
95

.

Economists study how individuals make decisions, how they interact with each other, and the
factors which affect the economy as a whole.
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Chapter 1/The Ten Principles of Economics

ANSWER: T
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 1 RANDOM: Y
96

.

With careful planning, we can usually get something that we like without having to give up
something else that we like.
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 2 RANDOM: Y
97

. Individuals face tradeoffs, but societies do not.
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 2 RANDOM: Y
98

.

Equity means everyone in the economy should receive an equal share of the goods and services
produced.
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 2 RANDOM: Y
99

.

People are likely to make good decisions only if they understand the options that they have
available.
ANSWER: T
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 2 RANDOM: Y
100

. Pollution regulations make society better off by raising incomes.
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 3 RANDOM: Y
101

. Equity refers to the size of the economic pie, and efficiency refers to how the pie is divided.
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 3 RANDOM: Y
102

.

In economic policymaking, there is often a conflict between the goal of efficiency and the goal of
equity.
ANSWER: T
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 3 RANDOM: Y
103

.

When the government redistributes income from the rich to the poor, society benefits since there are
more poor than rich.
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 3 RANDOM: Y

104

. For most students, tuition is the single largest cost of attending college.
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 3 RANDOM: Y
105

. The opportunity cost of something is what you give up to get it.
ANSWER: T
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 3 RANDOM: Y

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Chapter 1/The Ten Principles of Economics

19

106

.

If an All-American basketball player decides to stay in school for his senior year rather than sign an
NBA contract, the opportunity cost to him of his final year of college could be well over $1 million.
ANSWER: T
TYPE: T KEY1: C SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 3 RANDOM: Y
107

. A marginal change is a small incremental adjustment to an existing plan of action.
ANSWER: T

TYPE: T KEY1: C SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 4 RANDOM: Y
108

.

If the average cost of transporting a passenger on a night train from Kansas City to St. Louis is $50,
it would be irrational for the railroad to allow any passenger to ever ride for less than $50.
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY1: C SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 4 RANDOM: Y
109

.

A rational decisionmaker takes an action if and only if the marginal cost exceeds the marginal
benefit.
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 4 RANDOM: Y
110

. Public policies often alter the costs and benefits of private actions.
ANSWER: T
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 5 RANDOM: Y
111

.

Economist Sam Peltzman found that seat belt laws caused more accidents and more pedestrian
deaths.
ANSWER: T
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 5 RANDOM: Y

112

. Policy makers cannot directly affect public behavior; they can only affect public behavior indirectly.
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 1 OBJECTIVE: 5 RANDOM: Y
113

. In international trade, if one party gains, the other party loses.
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 6 RANDOM: Y
114

.

Trade allows each person to specialize in the activities he or she does best, thus increasing each
individual’s productivity.
ANSWER: T
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 6 RANDOM: Y
115

. Trade makes rich nations richer and poor nations poorer.
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 6 RANDOM: Y
116

.

In his book The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith observed that households and firms interacting in
markets are led by an “invisible hand” to make decisions that produce desirable outcomes for
society.

ANSWER: T
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
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Chapter 1/The Ten Principles of Economics

117

.

When the government prevents prices from adjusting naturally to supply and demand, efficiency is
improved in the economy.
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
118

.

A market economy cannot possibly produce a socially desirable outcome because individuals are
motivated by their own selfish interests.
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
119

. While the invisible hand cannot guarantee efficiency, it is better at guaranteeing equity.
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y

120

.

The two broad reasons for a government to intervene in the economy are to promote efficiency and
to promote equity.
ANSWER: T
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
121

. Market failure refers to a situation in which the market does not allocate resources efficiently.
ANSWER: T
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
122

.

Since taxes affect only the price paid by the buyer, they cannot have an adverse impact on the
allocation of society’s resources.
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY1: C SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
123

. A monopolist has market power.
ANSWER: T
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
124

.

A market economy rewards people according to their ability to produce things that other people are
willing to pay for.
ANSWER: T
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y PAGE: 10
125

. Monopoly power and income inequality are examples of market failure.
ANSWER: F
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 2 OBJECTIVE: 7 RANDOM: Y
126

.

Productivity is defined as the quantity of goods and services produced from each hour of a
worker’s time.
ANSWER: T
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
127

. Better tools and technology can increase productivity and therefore living standards in countries.
ANSWER: T
TYPE: T KEY1: D SECTION: 3 OBJECTIVE: 8 RANDOM: Y
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