Page 1
1.
Microeconomics deals with:
A)
the working of the entire economy or large sectors of it.
B)
economic growth.
C)
individual decision makers in the economy.
D)
gross domestic product.
2.
The study of a single firm and how it determines prices falls under the study of:
A)
macroeconomics.
B)
microeconomics.
C)
economic growth.
D)
fiscal policy.
3.
Macroeconomics deals with:
A)
bits and pieces of the economy.
B)
how a business unit should operate profitably.
C)
the working of the entire economy or large sectors of it.
D)
how individuals make decisions.
4.
The primary emphasis in macroeconomics is on:
A)
how firms set prices.
B)
the national economy.
C)
marginal analysis.
D)
bits and pieces of the economy.
5.
Which of the following is studied in macroeconomics?
A)
the change in automobile sales due to a change in the price of automobiles
B)
the effect of a tax reduction on the profits of an individual business
C)
recessions
D)
the unemployment of workers displaced by technological change in the typesetting
industry
6.
The basic concern of microeconomics is:
A)
to keep business firms from losing money.
B)
to prove that capitalism is better than socialism.
C)
to study the choices people make.
D)
to use unlimited resources to produce goods and services to satisfy limited wants.
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7.
How people choose among the alternatives available to them is:
A)
not part of the study of economics.
B)
impossible to describe.
C)
the study of microeconomics.
D)
not important in the study of microeconomics.
8.
Scarcity in economics means that:
A)
we do not have sufficient resources to produce all of the goods and services we
want.
B)
the wants of people are limited.
C)
there must be poor people in rich countries.
D)
shortages exist in nearly all markets.
9.
If resources are scarce, it means that they:
A)
are insufficient to provide enough goods and services to satisfy all human material
wants and needs.
B)
have no opportunity cost.
C)
are probably not valued by consumers.
D)
have an unlimited supply.
10.
A key theme fundamental to all of economics is that:
A)
wants are limited.
B)
the United States is a rich country, but we are simply not aware of it.
C)
people have unlimited wants but limited means to satisfy them.
D)
resources are unlimited.
11.
The problem of scarcity is confronted by:
A)
industrialized societies only.
B)
preindustrial societies only.
C)
societies governed by communist philosophies only.
D)
all societies.
12.
When we are forced to make choices, we are facing the concept of:
A)
human capital.
B)
inflation.
C)
scarcity.
D)
market failure.
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13.
We are forced to make choices because of:
A)
exploitation.
B)
efficiency.
C)
scarcity.
D)
the margin.
14.
Scarcity exists when:
A)
making choices among two or more alternatives is not necessary.
B)
individuals can have more of any good without giving up anything.
C)
individuals can have more of one good but only by giving up something else.
D)
resources are unlimited.
15.
Scarcity in economics means that:
A)
we do not have sufficient resources to produce all of the goods and services we
want.
B)
the wants of people are limited.
C)
there must be poor people in rich countries.
D)
economists are clearly not doing their job.
16.
Although freshwater is very abundant in most places, it is scarce because:
A)
it has no alternative uses.
B)
there is not enough of it to meet all needs.
C)
it is a free good.
D)
scarce goods in general are not all that costly.
17.
Freshwater is considered a scarce good because:
A)
not enough of it is available for all needs.
B)
it does not have any uses.
C)
scarce goods are not expensive.
D)
not enough of it is available for all needs and because it is not expensive.
18.
The problem of determining what goods and services society should produce:
A)
exists because we can produce more than we need or want.
B)
exists because there are not enough resources to provide all of the goods and
services that people want.
C)
would not exist if all goods and services were scarce.
D)
would not exist if government owned all of the resources.
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19.
Which of the following is NOT a resource in the production of rice?
A)
fertile land
B)
labor
C)
capital equipment
D)
money
20.
A resource is anything that:
A)
can be used in production.
B)
you pay for.
C)
is in scarce supply.
D)
can be consumed.
21.
We have to make choices because:
A)
we have unlimited income.
B)
resources are scarce.
C)
resources are infinite.
D)
with good planning, trade-offs can be avoided.
22.
When a chef prepares a dinner for a customer, which of the following is physical
capital?
A)
the chef
B)
the oven
C)
the food ingredients
D)
the chef’s training and experience
23.
Manny is attending college and majoring in economics. By doing so, Manny is
improving his:
A)
land.
B)
labor.
C)
capital.
D)
human capital.
24.
Which is NOT an example of a resource?
A)
land
B)
labor
C)
capital
D)
production
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25.
Which of the following can best be considered to be a resource used in the production of
computers?
A)
money from investors
B)
wages of computer engineers
C)
computer engineers
D)
taxes on the profits from the sale of the computers
26.
Opportunity cost is:
A)
about half of the monetary cost of a product.
B)
the dollar payment for a product.
C)
the benefit derived from a product.
D)
the value of the best alternative forgone in making any choice.
27.
The opportunity cost of something is:
A)
greater during periods of rising prices.
B)
equal to the money cost.
C)
less during periods of falling prices.
D)
what is given up to acquire it.
28.
Whenever a choice is made:
A)
the cost of that choice is opportunity cost.
B)
the cost is easy to measure in dollar terms.
C)
efficiency is improved.
D)
scarcity is not the problem.
29.
You can spend $100 on either a new economics textbook or a new CD player. If you
choose to buy the new economics textbook, the opportunity cost is:
A)
$100.
B)
your enjoyment of the new CD player.
C)
both the $100 and your enjoyment of the new CD player.
D)
impossible to determine.
30.
Margo spends $10,000 on one year’s college tuition. The opportunity cost of spending
one year in college for Margo is:
A)
$10,000.
B)
whatever she would have purchased with the $10,000 instead.
C)
whatever she would have earned had she not been in college.
D)
whatever she would have purchased with the $10,000 plus whatever she would
have earned had she not been in college.
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31.
If the state government allocates additional spending on education, the opportunity cost
is:
A)
zero.
B)
the dollar amount of the additional spending.
C)
considered only if taxes have to be raised to fund the spending.
D)
measured in terms of the best alternative uses for that money.
32.
Khalil is offered a free ticket to the opera. His opportunity cost of going to the opera is:
A)
zero—the tickets were free.
B)
the price listed on the ticket.
C)
whatever Khalil would have done had he not gone to the opera.
D)
the price listed on the ticket and whatever Khalil would have done had he not gone
to the opera.
33.
The cost of leaving the skating championship before it ends is _____, while the cost of
staying for the entire match is _____.
A)
the opportunity cost of not seeing the perfect 10 performance; zero—the ticket to
the championship is already paid, so there is no cost
B)
the opportunity cost of not seeing the perfect 10 performance; the opportunity cost
of whatever else you could have done during that time
C)
zero—you don’t have to pay to leave; zero—the ticket to the match is already paid
so there is no cost
D)
the cost of the ticket; the cost of the ticket
34.
A new fast-food restaurant offered a free meal (valued at $5) a week for a year to its
first 100 customers. Ramona camped out for 48 hours before the opening to be one of
the first 100 customers. The cost of the free meal a week for a year for Ramona was:
A)
zero.
B)
$260.
C)
whatever else she would have done with the 48 hours.
D)
The cost is impossible to determine.
35.
The Taco Hut charges the same price for everything on its menu: $3 will buy a taco, a
burrito, or nachos. You buy the taco and think that if you had not purchased the taco,
you would have purchased the burrito. The opportunity cost of the taco is:
A)
$3.
B)
your enjoyment of the burrito.
C)
$3 and your enjoyment of the burrito.
D)
$3, your enjoyment of the burrito, and your enjoyment of the nachos.
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36.
For an economist, the cost of something is:
A)
the amount of money you paid for it.
B)
what you gave up to get it.
C)
always equal to its market value.
D)
the quantity of resources used to produce it.
37.
The best measure of the opportunity cost of any choice is:
A)
the monetary cost of that choice.
B)
whatever you have given up to make that choice, even if no monetary costs are
involved.
C)
the cost associated with not taking full advantage of the opportunity offered by that
choice.
D)
your hourly wage.
38.
While buying refreshments for an upcoming party, you notice that a six-pack of
Americana Beer costs $2 and a six-pack of Bavarian Beer costs $4. You buy the
six-pack of Bavarian Beer, although you wonder if maybe two six-packs of Americana
Beer would have been a better choice. The opportunity cost of the Bavarian Beer is:
A)
$4.
B)
a six-pack of Americana Beer.
C)
two six-packs of Americana Beer.
D)
$4 and the six-pack of Americana Beer.
39.
Your elderly grandma tells you: “I haven’t been taking my beloved walks because I’m
concerned about falling and getting hurt. See, there is always a cost to doing something.
But if you don’t do anything, then there is no cost.” Your grandma does not understand
the economic concept of:
A)
scarcity.
B)
efficiency.
C)
opportunity cost.
D)
marginal analysis.
40.
The cost of leaving a championship soccer match before it ends is _____, while the cost
of staying for the entire match is _____.
A)
the opportunity cost of not seeing the winning goal with two minutes to go;
zero—the ticket to the match is already paid so there is no cost
B)
the opportunity cost of not seeing the winning goal with two minutes to go; the
opportunity cost of whatever else you could have done during that time
C)
zero—you don’t have to pay to leave; zero—the ticket to the match is already paid,
so there is no cost
D)
the cost of the ticket; the cost of the ticket
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41.
Zoe’s grandparents are excited about finally paying off their mortgage, because, as they
say, “Our cost of housing is now zero.” Zoe should explain to them the economic
principle of:
A)
marginal analysis: if the additional cost of housing is zero, then their additional
benefit is also zero.
B)
opportunity cost: by living in the house, they are giving up the opportunity to sell
the house, buy a smaller one, and pocket the difference.
C)
efficiency: If their cost of housing is now zero, they should let Zoe move in without
charging her any rent. Zoe is better off, and her grandparents aren’t hurt.
D)
equity: it is unfair that some people are still paying off their mortgage.
42.
The university recently inherited a large mansion from a wealthy alumnus. The
university plans to use the mansion for faculty parties and to house distinguished guests.
The opportunity cost of the mansion to the university is:
A)
zero, because it was a gift.
B)
the original cost of building the mansion.
C)
the amount the university would receive if it sold the mansion.
D)
the cost of catering the parties at the mansion.
43.
A new startup airline is offering free round-trip tickets to anywhere to the first 600
people who enter the office on the airline’s first day of business. You arrive 24 hours
before it is scheduled to open to be sure to get the free tickets, and you buy food from
vendors while waiting in line. The cost of the tickets to you is:
A)
zero.
B)
the cost of food while you wait in line.
C)
the cost of food while you wait in line and the opportunity cost of your time spent
in line.
D)
the actual value of the ticket.
44.
A friend comes up to you and offers you a free ticket to a professional baseball game
that night. You decide to attend the game. The game takes five hours and costs you $15
for transportation. If you had not attended the game, you would have worked at your
part-time job for $8 an hour. What is the cost to you of attending the game?
A)
The cost is zero—the ticket is free.
B)
$65
C)
$40
D)
$55
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45.
For a student who owns his or her own home and doesn’t plan to live in the dorm, the
cost of going to college is:
A)
tuition and the cost of housing.
B)
tuition, the cost of housing, and the cost of books.
C)
tuition, the cost of books, and forgone income.
D)
forgone income only.
46.
You have $1 to spend on a vending machine snack. A bag of chips will cost you $1 and
a candy bar will also cost you $1. If you choose the bag of chips, the opportunity cost of
buying the chips is:
A)
$1 plus the enjoyment you would have received from the candy bar.
B)
$2 minus the enjoyment you received from the bag of chips.
C)
$1.
D)
the enjoyment you would have received from the candy bar.
47.
A college student is faced with a difficult decision of how to spend one hour tonight.
She could babysit her professor’s child at an hourly wage of $7; she could work at the
college library at a wage of $6; or she could finish her economics homework
assignment. If she chooses to complete her homework assignment, she has incurred an
opportunity cost equal to:
A)
$7.
B)
$6.
C)
$13.
D)
$0.
48.
If you decide to go to Cancún with your friends during spring break, you cannot go to
Paris with your sister in the summer. This statement best represents this economic
concept:
A)
The real cost of something is what you must give up to get it.
B)
“How much” is a decision at the margin.
C)
People usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off.
D)
There are gains from trade.
49.
You decide to join the economics club, but this means you can’t join the accounting club
because it meets at the same time. This statement best represents this economic concept:
A)
The real cost of something is what you must give up to get it.
B)
“How much” is a decision at the margin.
C)
People usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off.
D)
There are gains from trade.
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50.
The student center on campus has burritos, bagels, or burgers for lunch, and they all cost
the same. You decide to have a burger today, but if they were out of burgers, you would
have bought a bagel. Your opportunity cost of buying a burger is your enjoyment of the:
A)
burger.
B)
bagel.
C)
burrito.
D)
bagel and the burrito.
51.
The economic way of thinking entails:
A)
the analysis of benefits but not costs.
B)
the analysis of costs but not benefits.
C)
making choices at the margin.
D)
making the distinction between microeconomics and macroeconomics.
52.
A choice made _____ is a choice whether to do a little more or a little less of something.
A)
at the front end
B)
in the beginning
C)
at the margin
D)
ceteris paribus
53.
Which of the following is the BEST example of making a choice at the margin?
A)
buying a new car
B)
quitting your job
C)
drinking another cup of coffee
D)
attending college
54.
You decide whether to eat one more slice of pizza based on how hungry you feel. This
statement best represents this economic concept:
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
The real cost of something is what you must give up to get it.
C)
“How much” is a decision at the margin.
D)
There are gains from trade.
55.
The concept of the margin deals with:
A)
making incremental choices.
B)
all or none of something.
C)
engaging in unethical activities.
D)
making difficult choices.
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56.
A choice made _____ is a choice whether to do a little more or a little less of something.
A)
at the fringe
B)
in the beginning
C)
at the margin
D)
after the fact
57.
The BEST example of making a choice at the margin is whether to:
A)
buy a new computer.
B)
quit your job.
C)
eat another slice of pizza.
D)
attend college.
58.
Marla will make $10 by tutoring for an additional hour, but she will lose an hour of
studying for her economics test. Marla decides to study rather than tutor. Marla’s choice
indicates that she:
A)
values an additional hour of studying more than the $10 she would earn tutoring.
B)
values an hour of studying less than the $10 she would earn tutoring.
C)
does not understand that there is no benefit from studying.
D)
doesn’t need the money.
59.
Thinking in economic terms, when Mary Sweet-Tooth is deciding whether to eat
another brownie, she:
A)
considers only the price of the brownie.
B)
considers only how much additional exercise she will need to do to work off the
calories associated with eating another brownie.
C)
compares all of the benefits and costs of eating another brownie.
D)
considers whether she can do so without anyone else noticing.
60.
For which of the following decisions would marginal analysis be most relevant?
A)
Should I go to college or work after graduating from high school?
B)
Should I eat another doughnut?
C)
Should I use $20,000 as a down payment on a house or to buy a car?
D)
Should I get married?
61.
For which of the following decisions would marginal analysis be MOST relevant?
A)
Should George accept a job with Delta Airlines or with Greenpeace?
B)
Should Mary go to graduate school after graduating from college?
C)
Should Vevik emigrate to the United States or stay in India?
D)
Should Hong work an additional hour or take a short nap?
Page 12
62.
Marginal analysis:
A)
refers to decisions about whether to do a bit more or a bit less of an activity.
B)
helps when making a “how much” choice.
C)
involves trade-offs.
D)
refers to decisions about whether to do a bit more or a bit less of an activity, helps
when making a “how much” choice, and involves trade-offs.
63.
Marginal analysis:
A)
refers to decisions about whether or not to engage in a particular activity.
B)
is primarily used when making an either-or choice.
C)
is used primarily when deciding how much of an activity should be done.
D)
does not help when making a “how much” choice.
64.
Your neighbor is mowing her yard one afternoon when she stops to have some
lemonade. She drinks one glass and is considering having a second glass. This is an
example of:
A)
marginal analysis.
B)
benefit analysis.
C)
cost analysis.
D)
equilibrium analysis.
65.
After eating three slices of pizza, you decide to eat one more piece. Your decision is an
example of the economic principle called:
A)
opportunity-cost decision.
B)
people responding to incentives.
C)
equity decision.
D)
marginal decision making.
66.
You are planning to study eight hours this week for your economics final and are
considering studying a ninth hour. You should:
A)
compare the benefits of one more hour of study with the cost of one less hour of
sleep.
B)
compare the benefits of one more hour of study with the cost of one less hour of
studying calculus.
C)
compare the benefits of one more hour of study with the cost of one less hour of
work at your part-time job.
D)
make your decision based on the cost of the next best alternative use of your time
compared to the benefit of one more hour of study.
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67.
Marginal analysis studies how individuals decide:
A)
whether to live on the margin of society.
B)
whether to do a bit more of an activity versus a bit less of it.
C)
whether to go to college.
D)
how much down payment to make when buying stocks.
68.
You are analyzing a trade-off when you compare the _____and _____ of doing
something.
A)
direct costs; opportunity costs
B)
marginal benefits; total benefits
C)
costs; benefits
D)
direct costs; total costs
69.
For which of the following decisions would marginal analysis be MOST relevant?
A)
Should I invest all of my savings in real estate or should I keep it all in a savings
account?
B)
After I graduate from college, should I go to graduate school or should I get a job?
C)
After meeting my basic needs, how should I allocate the remainder of my monthly
budget?
D)
Should I keep a pet?
70.
Some baseball fans leave the game in the seventh or eighth inning to avoid the postgame
traffic. The fans are:
A)
not considering that they have already paid for their tickets.
B)
making a marginal decision by comparing the cost of leaving early to the benefit of
leaving early.
C)
thinking only about the benefits of avoiding traffic.
D)
underestimating the value of staying for the rest of the game.
71.
Which of the following is a question of marginal analysis?
A)
What additional output does a family business produce when it hires one more
worker?
B)
How do tax cuts change the growth rate of median income?
C)
When a large corporation lays off workers, how do profits change if sales remain
constant?
D)
Should a commuter take the bus to work rather than driving.
Page 14
72.
Which of the following is an example of marginal analysis?
A)
ordering a pizza rather than eating leftover meatloaf
B)
deciding whether to eat one more slice of pizza
C)
using a coupon to save $2 on a pizza
D)
writing a check to pay for the pizza rather than using a credit card
73.
Which of the following demonstrates how people respond to incentives to make
themselves better off?
A)
More students major in economics when they hear that salaries for economists are
rising.
B)
Students are assigned dorm rooms through a lottery system.
C)
Students are encouraged to donate blood because it is the right thing to do.
D)
Students and faculty are encouraged to wear college apparel to support the college
athletic teams.
74.
Which of the following policies is MOST likely to reduce traffic congestion in a large
metropolitan area because people usually exploit opportunities to make themselves
better off?
A)
a limited number of free early-bird parking passes given only to those who arrive
prior to 6 A.M.
B)
a toll road that requires each car to pay a fee to enter the city center
C)
an increase in the price of subway and bus fare to and from the city
D)
asking citizens to carpool
75.
Which of the following methods of encouraging recycling is likely to be MOST
effective because people usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off?
A)
appealing to consumers to be a good citizen
B)
publicizing the advantages of recycling
C)
imposing a tax per unit of garbage generated
D)
All three methods are equally effective.
76.
Which of the following methods of discouraging speeding is likely to be MOST
effective because people usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off?
A)
increasing the number of signs stating the speed limit
B)
increasing the fine associated with speeding tickets
C)
public service announcements reminding drivers of the dangers of speeding
D)
All three methods are equally effective.
Page 15
77.
In an attempt to reduce shooting deaths, some cities have offered money to people who
turn in illegal guns. This program is an example of the government using _____ to
influence behavior.
A)
incentives
B)
law
C)
marginal analysis
D)
the gains from trade
78.
Because people usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off, if the price
of gasoline rises and stays high for an extended period, we expect people to:
A)
increase the number of miles they drive.
B)
buy larger and less fuel-efficient cars.
C)
use more public transportation.
D)
ride their bicycles less.
79.
Because people usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off, if the price
of gasoline falls and stays low for an extended period, we expect people to:
A)
reduce their reliance on gasoline-powered cars.
B)
buy larger and less fuel-efficient cars.
C)
use more public transportation.
D)
ride bicycles.
80.
To encourage people to retire later, because people usually exploit opportunities to
make themselves better off, the government could:
A)
reduce Social Security benefits.
B)
raise the tax rate on older individuals.
C)
engage in a public service campaign explaining the value of these employees to the
economy.
D)
increase Social Security benefits.
81.
Because people usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off, to
encourage young people to go to college in their home state, state universities can:
A)
charge higher tuition to in-state students.
B)
award special scholarships to out-of-state students.
C)
offer high-interest loans to in-state students.
D)
offer lower tuition to in-state students.
Page 16
82.
Because people usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off, which of
the following methods of reducing pollution is likely to be most effective?
A)
appealing to the polluter to be a good citizen
B)
publicizing the harmful effects of pollution
C)
imposing a tax per unit of pollution generated
D)
All three methods are equally effective.
83.
Economists tend to believe that to change people’s behavior you must:
A)
appeal to their concern for society.
B)
change their incentives.
C)
legislate the change.
D)
appeal to their religious values.
84.
Which of the following is NOT true?
A)
Resources are scarce when they can satisfy everyone’s wants.
B)
The real cost of a choice is what you must give up to enjoy that choice.
C)
People typically make choices that will make them better off.
D)
Rational people use marginal analysis when making “how much” decisions.
85.
Corner offices in high-rise office buildings usually cost more to rent than other offices.
This best illustrates the economic principle of:
A)
marginal analysis.
B)
scarce resources.
C)
resources being used as efficiently as possible to achieve society’s goals.
D)
opportunity costs.
86.
In Ventura County, California, strawberry production is limited by the number of acres
available for agriculture production. This statement best represents this economic
concept:
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
“How much” is a decision at the margin.
C)
There are gains from trade.
D)
Resources should be used as efficiently as possible to achieve society’s goals.
87.
You like to read Vogue and Sports Illustrated. You have only $5 to spend, so you buy
only Sports Illustrated. This statement best represents this economic concept:
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
The real cost of something is what you must give up to get it.
C)
“How much” is a decision at the margin.
D)
There are gains from trade.
Page 17
88.
Intel finds it difficult to hire enough skilled computer engineers. This statement best
represents this economic concept:
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
People usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off.
C)
There are gains from trade.
D)
One person’s spending is another person’s income.
89.
In Colorado, there has been a drought, and rural communities are fighting with urban
areas over water. This statement best represents this economic concept:
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
Resources should be used as efficiently as possible to achieve society’s goals.
C)
When markets don’t achieve efficiency, government intervention can improve
society’s welfare.
D)
Government policies can change spending.
90.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four principles for understanding individual
choice?
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
Overall spending sometimes gets out of line with the economy’s productive
capacity.
C)
“How much” is a decision at the margin.
D)
People usually take advantage of opportunities to make themselves better off.
91.
When the San Francisco city manager faces a complaint that the city council chamber
podium is not accessible to individuals with disabilities, he responds that the $1 million
improvement will not happen because “that money could be spent building 70 curb
ramps.” This statement best represents this economic concept:
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
The real cost of something is what you must give up to get it.
C)
“How much” is a decision at the margin.
D)
When markets don’t achieve efficiency, government intervention can improve
society’s welfare.
Page 18
92.
The student center on campus has burritos, bagels, or burgers for lunch, and they all cost
the same. You love burgers and bagels, but you decide to have a burger today. If they
were out of burgers, you would have bought a bagel. This statement best represents this
economic concept:
A)
The real cost of something is what you must give up to get it.
B)
“How much” is a decision at the margin.
C)
Resources are used to produce something else.
D)
There are gains from trade.
93.
After swimming 100 laps at the pool, Erik decides to swim 10 more before lifting
weights. This statement best represents this economic concept:
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
The real cost of something is what you must give up to get it.
C)
“How much” is a decision at the margin.
D)
There are gains from trade.
94.
Nara has gone to three movies this week. She has some extra money, so she decides to
go to another. This statement best represents this economic concept:
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
The real cost of something is what you must give up to get it.
C)
“How much” is a decision at the margin.
D)
There are gains from trade.
95.
A busy professor can’t decide whether to stay in his office to grade papers for another
hour or to go home and go to bed. This is an example of:
A)
equity versus efficiency.
B)
how one person’s spending is another person’s income.
C)
economic incentives.
D)
marginal analysis.
96.
Which of the following principles underlies the economics of individual choices?
A)
There are gains from trade.
B)
Markets move toward equilibrium.
C)
People usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off.
D)
Resources should be used as efficiently as possible to achieve society’s goals.
Page 19
97.
Which of these is one of the four principles of individual choice?
A)
Resources are usually renewable.
B)
The real cost of something is impossible to measure.
C)
People take advantage of opportunities to make themselves better off only if there
is no risk involved.
D)
Resources are scarce.
98.
Which of the following is an example of individual choice?
A)
The government announces plans to ban smoking in all Florida restaurants.
B)
Lauren spends her allowance on pillows for her bed.
C)
France decides to withhold funding to rebuild Iraq.
D)
Africa decides to accept U.S. aid for humanitarian efforts.
99.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four principles of individual choice?
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
Unpaid volunteer work is irrational, since economic rationality dictates that
individuals should only engage in work they are paid for.
C)
The real cost of something is its opportunity cost.
D)
People usually take advantage of opportunities to make themselves better off.
100.
Florida schools offered cash bonuses to students who scored high on the state’s
standardized exams. The cash bonuses are an example of this economic principle:
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
The real cost of something is what you must give up to get it.
C)
There are gains from trade.
D)
People usually take advantage of opportunities to make themselves better off.
101.
Grades are low in class and your professor makes available a 10-point extra credit
assignment. Most of the students turn in the assignment. This statement best represents
this economic concept:
A)
The real cost of something is what you must give up to get it.
B)
“How much” is a decision at the margin.
C)
People usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off.
D)
There are gains from trade.
Page 20
102.
Your health club is offering a free one-year membership for the person who attends the
most yoga classes in March. This results in more people attending yoga. This statement
best represents this economic concept:
A)
The real cost of something is what you must give up to get it.
B)
People usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off.
C)
There are gains from trade.
D)
Markets move toward equilibrium.
103.
Specialization and trade usually lead to:
A)
lower economic growth.
B)
the exchange of goods and services in markets.
C)
lower living standards.
D)
higher prices.
104.
Which book illustrates the advantages of specialization using an eighteenth-century pin
factory?
A)
Free to Choose, by Milton Friedman
B)
The Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith
C)
Das Kapital, by Karl Marx
D)
The General Theory, by John Maynard Keynes
105.
Who wrote The Wealth of Nations, a book that many credit with establishing economics
as a discipline?
A)
Karl Marx
B)
David Ricardo
C)
Adam Smith
D)
John Maynard Keynes
106.
Increases in total output realized when individuals specialize in particular tasks and
trade are known as:
A)
the gains from trade.
B)
the profits obtained from sales of a good or service.
C)
marginal analysis.
D)
a trade-off.
107.
Gains from trade arise because of:
A)
specialization in production.
B)
specialization in consumption.
C)
marginal analysis.
D)
individual choice.
Page 21
108.
Gains from trade exist for:
A)
individuals only.
B)
states only.
C)
countries only.
D)
individuals, states, and countries.
109.
When the United States and Mexico trade:
A)
the United States will be worse off because wages in Mexico are so low.
B)
Mexico will be worse off because the United States is a stronger economic power.
C)
both Mexico and the United States will be better off.
D)
both Mexico and the United States will be worse off.
110.
If every individual were required to be self-sufficient:
A)
living standards would fall.
B)
living standards for some individuals would fall, but for others they would rise.
C)
living standards would rise.
D)
it’s impossible to say how living standards would change.
111.
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A)
Resource scarcity is a major economic concern in the rich countries of the world.
B)
Most opportunity costs are zero.
C)
An economic situation is in equilibrium when no individual would be better off
taking a different action.
D)
Some very talented, skilled individuals who can do some things better than most
people should specialize in doing that one thing.
112.
Specialization and trade should lead to all of the following EXCEPT:
A)
individuals learning specific skills and earning a salary.
B)
a decrease in total economic output.
C)
higher living standards.
D)
the exchange of goods and services in markets.
113.
The phrase gains from trade refers to the:
A)
profits obtained from sales of a good or service.
B)
increase in total output that is realized when individuals specialize in particular
tasks and trade with each other.
C)
gains that one obtains by taking advantage of an uninformed buyer and selling at a
higher than average price.
D)
gains that one obtains by taking advantage of a temporary discount, or sale price.
Page 22
114.
Individuals gain from trade because:
A)
of specialization in production.
B)
they can sell at a lower price than they can buy at.
C)
self-sufficiency is efficient.
D)
of the principle of absolute advantage.
115.
Specialization in production was the starting point for:
A)
The Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith.
B)
The General Theory, by John Maynard Keynes.
C)
Das Kapital, by Karl Marx.
D)
Free to Choose, by Milton Friedman.
116.
Two neighbors, Molly and Sandy, are separated by a white picket fence. Each neighbor
has a garden that grows tomatoes and peppers. To gain from trade, _____ can trade
_____ to _____ for _____ if _____ is the more efficient grower of peppers.
A)
Molly; tomatoes; Sandy; peppers; Molly
B)
Sandy; tomatoes; Molly; peppers; Sandy
C)
Sandy; peppers; Molly; tomatoes; Molly
D)
Molly; peppers; Sandy; tomatoes; Molly
117.
If the market for corn is in equilibrium:
A)
every buyer who wants to consume corn can acquire corn.
B)
every producer who wants to sell corn can do so.
C)
the price is set so that the quantity of corn produced is equal to the quantity of corn
consumed.
D)
all producers of corn earn the same amount of income from the sale of corn.
118.
One consequence of equilibrium is that when trying to figure out which checkout line at
the college bookstore is the fastest, one should choose:
A)
the line nearest the door.
B)
the line farthest from the door.
C)
the middle line.
D)
randomly; if one line were truly faster, everyone would move to it and it would no
longer be faster.
Page 23
119.
If equilibrium exists:
A)
all individuals must have an equal amount of income.
B)
the price in that market will not fluctuate by more than 5%.
C)
there will be no remaining opportunities for individuals to make themselves better
off.
D)
the number of buyers will equal the number of sellers.
120.
If a market is in disequilibrium:
A)
it will continue unless there is government intervention.
B)
no individual will be better off doing something different.
C)
there are opportunities for people to make themselves better off.
D)
it must be because the government has intervened in the market, resulting in the
market’s failure to reach equilibrium.
121.
Equilibrium exists when:
A)
output is distributed equitably.
B)
scarcity is eliminated.
C)
an individual would be better off taking a different action.
D)
no individual has an incentive to change his or her behavior.
122.
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A)
The concept of equilibrium requires that all individuals have an equal amount of
income.
B)
If a market is in equilibrium, the price in that market will not fluctuate by more
than 5%.
C)
If a market is in equilibrium, there will be no remaining opportunities for
individuals to make themselves better off.
D)
A market is in equilibrium when the number of buyers is equal to the number of
sellers.
123.
Which of the following statements is CORRECT?
A)
Resource scarcity is not a major concern in the rich countries of the world.
B)
Some opportunity costs are zero.
C)
An economic situation is in equilibrium when no individual would be better off
taking a different action.
D)
Some very talented, skilled individuals who can do everything better than most
people should not specialize in doing any one thing.
Page 24
124.
In baseball, when one manager decides to send in a pinch hitter, the other manager often
changes pitchers. This sometimes causes the first manager to send in a new pinch hitter.
Once both managers decide that no more player substitutions will benefit their team, the
situation has reached:
A)
efficiency.
B)
equilibrium.
C)
equity.
D)
the market.
125.
Economists use the term equilibrium to describe when:
A)
individuals are equal.
B)
no individual would be better off taking a different action.
C)
no individual has an incentive to change his or her behavior.
D)
no individual would be better off taking a different action or no individual has an
incentive to change his or her behavior.
126.
A dozen friends got together to celebrate a birthday. If the birthday cake is cut into 12
pieces of the same size and each of the 12 partygoers gets a slice, this cake distribution
is:
A)
efficient but not equitable.
B)
equitable but not efficient.
C)
efficient and equitable.
D)
equitable.
127.
An economy is efficient if it is:
A)
possible to produce more of all goods and services.
B)
possible to produce more of one good without producing less of another.
C)
not possible to produce more of one good without producing less of another good.
D)
producing a combination of goods.
128.
If all of the opportunities to make someone better off (without making someone else
worse off) have been exploited, an economy is:
A)
equitable.
B)
inefficient.
C)
marginally optimal.
D)
efficient.
Page 25
129.
A trade-off between equity and efficiency may exist because of all of the following
EXCEPT that:
A)
allocating resources fairly may cause efficiency.
B)
an efficient allocation of resources may lead to an outcome that most people
consider unfair.
C)
policies that promote equity often come at a cost of decreased efficiency.
D)
allocating resources fairly may cause inefficiency.
130.
An economy is efficient when:
A)
the problem of scarcity is eliminated.
B)
output is distributed equitably.
C)
all opportunities to make some people better off without making other people
worse off have been taken.
D)
all opportunities to make some people worse off without making other people
better off have been taken.
131.
Economists believe that resources should be used as efficiently as possible to:
A)
achieve society’s goals.
B)
eliminate scarcity.
C)
reduce inequity.
D)
maximize profits.
132.
If an economy has NOT achieved efficiency, there must be ways to:
A)
increase opportunity costs.
B)
eliminate inequity.
C)
make some people better off without making others worse off.
D)
increase the incentives for its citizens to follow their own self-interest.
133.
Resources are being used efficiently when:
A)
scarcity is no longer an issue.
B)
they are also used equitably.
C)
every opportunity to make people better off without making others worse off has
been seized.
D)
gains from trade are still available.
Page 26
134.
Equity means that:
A)
everyone gets an efficient share of the goods and services produced.
B)
everyone gets his or her fair share of the goods and services produced.
C)
more of some goods and services can be produced only if the production of others
is reduced.
D)
more of all goods and services may be produced.
135.
Which of the following is NOT a reason that markets usually lead to efficiency?
A)
People are naturally efficient.
B)
Individuals have incentives to offer what people want.
C)
Trade encourages efficiency.
D)
Inefficient firms will lose business.
136.
An increase in efficiency means that an economy has:
A)
reduced its opportunity costs.
B)
increased the equity of its distribution of goods and services.
C)
made more people better off without making others worse off.
D)
increased the incentives for its citizens to follow their own self-interest.
137.
The trade-off between equity and efficiency occurs because:
A)
the efficient allocation of resources is bad for business and industry.
B)
allocating resources fairly may cause inefficiency.
C)
everyone must pay more tax to ensure equity.
D)
efficiency is politically unpopular.
138.
Economists define an efficient use of resources as a situation in which:
A)
one person can be made better off but only by making another person worse off.
B)
all persons can be made better off without making anyone worse off.
C)
all persons receive an equal share of the resources.
D)
all persons are made worse off when one person is made better off.
139.
In most cases, economic efficiency is achieved through:
A)
incentives built into a market economy.
B)
regulation.
C)
individuals seeking out opportunities that involve no risk.
D)
maximizing equity.
Page 27
140.
When individuals act in their own self-interest:
A)
efficiency is always achieved.
B)
equity is always achieved.
C)
society may be worse off in some cases.
D)
all opportunities have been taken to make some people better off without making
other people worse off.
141.
An economy has achieved _____ if it _____ pass up any opportunities to make some
people better off without making others worse off.
A)
efficiency; does not
B)
equity; does
C)
efficiency; does
D)
equity; does not
142.
Which of the following statements is FALSE?
A)
Efficiency exists when an economy realizes the maximum possible gains from
trade given the available resources.
B)
If an economy is efficient, it is possible to make only a few people better off
without reducing other individuals’ economic welfare.
C)
Economic efficiency exists when all opportunities to make people better off have
been fully exploited.
D)
Markets usually lead to efficiency.
143.
If in Equitania, 20% of the population receive 80% of the income and the remaining
80% of the population receive 20% of the income, Equitania’s economy:
A)
is efficient.
B)
cannot be efficient, since efficiency requires a more nearly equal distribution of
income.
C)
may be efficient.
D)
is neither efficient nor equitable.
144.
The incentives built into the market economy ensure that resources are put to good use
and that opportunities to make people better off are not wasted. This means that:
A)
people usually are not selfish enough to exploit opportunities to make themselves
better off.
B)
markets move toward equilibrium.
C)
resources should be used as efficiently as possible to achieve society’s goals.
D)
markets usually lead to efficiency.
Page 28
145.
When markets fail:
A)
government intervention may help.
B)
the market realizes the maximum possible gains from trade given the available
resources.
C)
there may still be an efficient allocation of resources.
D)
no goods and services are produced.
146.
Market failure may occur because:
A)
individual actions have side effects that are not properly taken into account by the
market.
B)
one party to a trade benefits more than another.
C)
all goods are suited for efficient management by markets.
D)
of regulated self-interest.
147.
When the nations that constitute the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
(OPEC) restrict the supply of oil to increase their profits, the oil market:
A)
achieves an efficient outcome because profits increase.
B)
achieves an equitable outcome because the nations with oil resources receive the
profits commensurate with that resource.
C)
fails because there is no longer an efficient allocation of resources.
D)
fails because there is no longer an equitable allocation of resources.
148.
Although for smokers the marginal benefit from smoking may exceed the marginal cost
of smoking, the negative effects of second-hand smoke may increase the marginal costs
of smoking to society to a point where it exceeds that marginal benefit to society. This is
an example of:
A)
individual actions whose side effects are not properly taken into account by the
market.
B)
one party preventing mutually beneficial trades in an attempt to capture a greater
share of resources for itself.
C)
some goods’ unsuitability for efficient management by markets.
D)
regulating self-interest.
149.
Everyone benefits from street lighting, yet the marginal benefit to any one individual
usually falls short of the marginal cost. This is an example of:
A)
individual actions whose side effects are not properly taken into account by the
market.
B)
one party preventing mutually beneficial trades in an attempt to capture a greater
share of resources for itself.
C)
the unsuitability of some goods for efficient management by markets.
D)
regulating self-interest.
Page 29
150.
At various times, the nations that constitute the Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC) have restricted the supply of oil to increase their profits. This is an
example of:
A)
individual actions whose side effects are not properly taken into account by the
market.
B)
one party preventing mutually beneficial trades in an attempt to capture a greater
share of resources for itself.
C)
the unsuitability of some goods for efficient management by markets.
D)
regulating self-interest.
151.
Market failure occurs when:
A)
prices of essential goods such as gas become very high.
B)
individual actions have side effects that are not properly taken into account.
C)
mutually beneficial trades take place.
D)
a business declares bankruptcy.
152.
A market failure occurs when:
A)
some people are able to buy many more goods than other people are.
B)
the individual’s pursuit of self-interest means some people will not be able to buy
all of the goods they need.
C)
the individual’s pursuit of self-interest makes the society worse off.
D)
while pursuing their self-interest, some people may make a mistake—for example,
they may regret buying a particular car.
153.
When markets don’t achieve efficiency:
A)
they must achieve equity.
B)
government must be participating in the market.
C)
government may intervene to improve society’s welfare.
D)
they should be closed.
154.
One parent picks up the child from day care while the other parent goes to the grocery
store and begins to make dinner. This is an example of the principle that:
A)
markets move toward equilibrium.
B)
government policies can change spending.
C)
there are gains from trade.
D)
markets usually lead to efficiency.
Page 30
155.
Which of the following principles underlies the interaction of individual choices?
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
There are gains from trade.
C)
Marginal analysis is used for “how much” decisions.
D)
People usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off.
156.
It is cheaper to produce corn in Kansas than in Death Valley, California, because corn
needs a lot of water and moderate temperatures. This statement best represents this
economic concept:
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
Markets move toward equilibrium.
C)
Resources should be used as efficiently as possible to achieve society’s goals.
D)
Markets usually lead to efficiency.
157.
In Thailand, the land, labor, and capital in society are used to exploit all opportunities to
make everyone better off. This statement best represents this economic concept:
A)
Markets move toward equilibrium.
B)
Resources should be used as efficiently as possible to achieve society’s goals.
C)
Markets usually lead to efficiency.
D)
When markets don’t achieve efficiency, government intervention can improve
society’s welfare.
158.
Which of the following is NOT one of the five principles for understanding how
individual choices interact?
A)
There are gains from trade.
B)
Markets move toward equilibrium.
C)
Resources should be used as efficiently as possible to achieve society’s goals.
D)
Markets always lead to efficiency.
159.
When a factory closes, why does it spell bad news for the local restaurants?
A)
Sales taxes are likely to increase.
B)
Unemployed factory workers have lower incomes and are less likely to dine out.
C)
Unemployed factory workers are eligible for government unemployment benefits.
D)
The opportunity cost of dining out has fallen.
Page 31
160.
Because one person’s spending is another person’s income:
A)
if one group in the economy spends more, the incomes of other groups will
decrease.
B)
if one group in the economy spends less, the incomes of other groups will increase.
C)
if one group in the economy spends more, the incomes of other groups will
increase.
D)
spending by one group does not influence the income of any other group.
161.
One person’s spending is another person’s:
A)
loss.
B)
income.
C)
physical capital.
D)
opportunity cost.
162.
Buying vegetables at a farmers’ market benefits the community because:
A)
it is best to be self-sufficient when it comes to growing food.
B)
this will eliminate the opportunity cost of buying food.
C)
buying locally will increase human capital in the community.
D)
one person’s local spending will increase another local person’s income.
163.
If Allison drives to a large city 100 miles from her small community to do her
back-to-school shopping, this will:
A)
hurt Allison’s community because Allison’s spending will be income for people in
the large city.
B)
hurt the city because Allison will take the goods that she purchases back home to
her small town.
C)
help Allison’s community because Allison’s shopping in the big city leaves more
goods for the other small-town residents to buy.
D)
help the city because people from small towns usually buy things that people in big
cities don’t want.
164.
A grocery store benefits when a new furniture factory moves to town and hires workers
because:
A)
the new jobs at the factory will increase local incomes, some of which will be spent
at the grocery store.
B)
the new factory will eliminate scarcity in the area.
C)
the presence of a new factory will guarantee that resources are used efficiently.
D)
the local circular flow will be smaller with a new factory in town.
Page 32
165.
If the value of homes in University City increases and as a result the people of
University City spend more, incomes in University City will:
A)
decrease.
B)
increase.
C)
remain the same.
D)
be unaffected.
166.
If the value of beach-front property in Beach City decreases, the people of Beach City
will likely spend _____, causing incomes in Beach City to _____.
A)
more; increase
B)
more; decrease
C)
less; increase
D)
less; decrease
167.
Which of the following demonstrates one of the three principles of economy-wide
interactions?
A)
A student chooses to rent a movie with friends rather than study for an economics
quiz.
B)
Your roommate offers to pay for the movie tickets if you drive to the theater.
C)
A city builds a new public park on the grounds of an abandoned warehouse.
D)
In 2008, fearing a recession, Congress approved a White House proposal to rebate
some taxes for 2007.
168.
Sometimes the government varies its spending, depending on the needs of the country.
This statement best represents economic concept that:
A)
resources should be used as efficiently as possible to achieve society’s goals.
B)
when markets don’t achieve efficiency, government intervention can improve
society’s welfare.
C)
overall spending sometimes gets out of line with the economy’s productive
capacity.
D)
government policies can change spending.
169.
Lena and Jess are roommates. Lena hates to clean the bathroom. Jess will agree to clean
the bathroom only if Lena vacuums the living room. This statement best represents this
economic concept:
A)
The real cost of something is what you must give up to get it.
B)
“How much” is a decision at the margin.
C)
People usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off.
D)
There are gains from trade.
Page 33
170.
Nate and Dylan are brothers. They have to mow the lawn and clean their rooms before
they can go to the high school football game. Nate mows the lawn and Dylan picks up
the rooms, and they make it to the football game on time. This statement best represents
this economic concept:
A)
People usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off.
B)
There are gains from trade.
C)
Markets usually lead to efficiency.
D)
One person’s spending is another person’s income.
171.
You notice that when a new yoga class is offered at the student recreation center at a
highly desirable time, some students from the other yoga classes go to the new class
instead. This statement best represents this economic concept:
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
The real cost of something is what you must give up to get it.
C)
People usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off.
D)
Marginal analysis.
172.
Which of the following principles underlies the gains from trade?
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
Marginal analysis is used for “how much” decisions.
C)
Resources should be used as efficiently as possible to achieve society’s goals.
D)
People usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off.
173.
The federal government regulates how much carbon dioxide a factory can emit. This
statement best represents this economic concept:
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
“How much” is a decision at the margin.
C)
Markets usually lead to efficiency.
D)
When markets don’t achieve efficiency, government intervention can improve
society’s welfare.
174.
All children have to be immunized against polio, measles, mumps, and other diseases. If
you don’t have enough money to pay for the immunizations, they will be provided free
at the county health clinic. This statement best represents this economic concept:
A)
People usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off.
B)
Resources should be used as efficiently as possible to achieve society’s goals.
C)
When markets don’t achieve efficiency, government intervention can improve
society’s welfare.
D)
Government policies can change spending.
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175.
The government of a small town has decided to ban smoking in all restaurants, stores,
and government offices. This is an example of the principle that:
A)
one person’s spending is another person’s income.
B)
when markets fail to achieve efficiency, government intervention can improve
society’s welfare.
C)
there are gains from trade.
D)
resources should be used as efficiently as possible to achieve society’s goals.
176.
I know when I shop at the local grocery store, I am helping my community. This
statement best represents this economic concept:
A)
People usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off.
B)
There are gains from trade.
C)
One person’s spending is another person’s income.
D)
Overall spending sometimes gets out of line with the economy’s productive
capacity.
177.
Owen had a typewriter shop, but he went out of business because no one buys
typewriters anymore. This statement best represents this economic concept:
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
People usually exploit opportunities to make themselves better off.
C)
Markets move toward equilibrium.
D)
One person’s spending is another person’s income.
178.
During the Great Depression, consumers and producers in the United States
dramatically reduced their spending as compared to the quantity of goods and services
available at the time. This statement best represents this economic concept:
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
When markets don’t achieve efficiency, government intervention can improve
society’s welfare.
C)
Overall spending sometimes gets out of line with the economy’s productive
capacity.
D)
Government policies can change spending.
179.
When people want more goods and services than are available, the economy undergoes
inflation. This statement best represents this economic concept:
A)
Resources are scarce.
B)
When markets don’t achieve efficiency, government intervention can improve
society’s welfare.
C)
Overall spending sometimes gets out of line with the economy’s productive
capacity.
D)
Government policies can change spending.
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180.
Because the United States is a rich nation, free health care can be provided for all
citizens without considering the issue of scarcity.
A)
True
B)
False
181.
The study of economics arises because of the necessity of choice, and the necessity of
choice arises because of the fundamental problem of scarcity of resources.
A)
True
B)
False
182.
Because of the opportunity cost, if the United States spends $87 billion in the rebuilding
of Iraq, it has to forgo the opportunity to spend $87 billion on some other program.
A)
True
B)
False
183.
In 2003, Congress passed a tax cut. The country did NOT incur any opportunity cost
from this decision.
A)
True
B)
False
184.
A trade-off involves weighing costs and benefits.
A)
True
B)
False
185.
Using marginal analysis to decide whether to consume an additional slice of pizza
requires making a comparison of the benefits and costs associated with the consumption
of an additional slice of pizza.
A)
True
B)
False
186.
Economists make predictions about individual behavior based on the assumption that
people exploit opportunities to make themselves better off. The fact that different
individuals make different choices when confronted with the same situation implies that
this assumption is often violated.
A)
True
B)
False
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187.
The principle that people will exploit opportunities to do what is best for others is the
basis of all predictions by economists about individual behavior.
A)
True
B)
False
188.
When people in Brazil engage in trade with people in Germany, the citizens of each
nation are made worse off.
A)
True
B)
False
189.
As long as individuals know that they can find the goods and services they want in the
market, they are willing to forgo being self-sufficient and are willing to specialize.
A)
True
B)
False
190.
Trade allows people to get more of what they want.
A)
True
B)
False
191.
In equilibrium there will be no further opportunities for gains from trade.
A)
True
B)
False
192.
An economic situation is in equilibrium when no individual would be better off taking a
different action.
A)
True
B)
False
193.
Market equilibrium will always be efficient even if it is not equitable.
A)
True
B)
False
194.
An economy is efficient if one person can be made better off by reallocating resources
without making anyone else worse off.
A)
True
B)
False
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195.
Equity is the same as efficiency.
A)
True
B)
False
196.
If an economy’s resources are used efficiently, then it is guaranteed that the economy
will also achieve equity.
A)
True
B)
False
197.
Handicapped-designated parking spaces are an example of the market economy
achieving efficiency.
A)
True
B)
False
198.
The fact that individuals in a market economy act so as to make themselves better off is
a major reason a market equilibrium is usually efficient.
A)
True
B)
False
199.
According to the textbook, markets usually lead to efficiency.
A)
True
B)
False
200.
Market failure occurs when the pursuit of self-interest leads to bad results.
A)
True
B)
False
201.
Because one person’s spending is another person’s income, if one group in the economy
spends more, the incomes of other groups will increase.
A)
True
B)
False
202.
Because one person’s spending is another person’s income, if one group in the economy
spends more, they increase their share of income and decrease the incomes of other
groups.
A)
True
B)
False
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203.
Some products, like tobacco, are taxed. Why would the government interfere in a
market that if left untaxed would probably move to equilibrium on its own?
204.
Many college freshmen describe themselves as pre-med, but a very small percentage of
these freshmen will ever attend medical school. After the first course in biology or
chemistry, many decide to major in something other than the natural sciences. Which of
the 12 principles is at work here?
205.
A college student stays up late writing a history paper and as a result sleeps through her
morning economics class. What is the cost of sleeping through the class?
206.
A college student waits in line for hours to purchase a ticket to the Rose Bowl, but an
attorney does not. Rather than spend hours in line, he purchases a much more expensive
ticket through a ticket broker. Why?
207.
A two-year-old child is eating raisins one at a time from a large box. Even though the
child doesn’t understand formal economic theory, he knows when to stop eating because
he is full. Describe how this child has already mastered marginal analysis.
208.
An apartment complex included a fixed price of water in the monthly rent. One day the
city decided to attach a water meter to each individual apartment and charge the tenant
for actual water usage. As a result, water usage in the apartment complex went way
down. Explain this situation using a principle of economics.
209.
You and your roommate are taking the same economics class. When it comes to doing
homework assignments, your roommate draws beautifully precise graphs, while you are
an extremely fast typist. Therefore, you and your roommate work on the assignments
together. Which of the 12 principles is at work here?
210.
At most airports there are multiple security guards ready to screen passengers and their
luggage through the X-ray and metal detector checkpoints. The length of the wait for
each line is about the same. Why?
211.
The most efficient way to dispose of industrial waste is to dump it in a nearby river or
parcel of land. Why is this illegal?
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212.
When hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf coast, the businesses in the area, even those
not physically damaged by the storm, had losses. Explain how this illustrates the
principle that “one person’s spending is another person’s income.”
213.
By early 2008 the U.S. economy was in a significant downturn. The unemployment rate
began to increase, and home prices began to fall. Congress passed a stimulus package
that gave tax rebates to virtually every person who paid taxes in 2007. Which of the 12
principles is described by this package?
214.
When someone says resources are scarce, this suggests that:
A)
lower-income individuals must be especially careful about the choices they make.
B)
choices must be made to utilize resources in the best manner possible.
C)
additional resources could be found if there were additional funds allocated to the
effort.
D)
we have enough resources to meet all of our needs and wants.
215.
One day, Martha wakes up and in frustration yells, “Decisions, decisions, decisions!
Why do I have to make decisions about everything?” Martha’s frustrations stem from
the fact that:
A)
like all economic beings, she faces constraints and cannot have everything she
wants.
B)
she doesn’t realize she can have everything she wants.
C)
she is the only one who faces constraints in life.
D)
she really doesn’t want anything.
216.
Alison is offered two jobs. One pays $45,000 per year and offers three weeks of
vacation, while the other offer provides two weeks of vacation and a salary of $54,000.
What is the opportunity cost for Alison if she chooses the job offer of $54,000?
A)
$45,000 plus the three weeks of vacation
B)
$45,000 per year
C)
one week of vacation
D)
two weeks of vacation
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217.
Katherine has a physics exam tomorrow. However, a free lecture by one of her favorite
authors is taking place this evening. Katherine decides to attend the lecture instead of
studying for her exam. Katherine’s opportunity cost is:
A)
the time spent listening to the lecture.
B)
not relevant, since no money is involved.
C)
the cost of getting to the lecture itself plus the reduction in her physics exam grade
as a result of not studying tonight.
D)
the time spent getting to the lecture.
218.
Mr. Freezee operates a fleet of ice cream trucks that drive around neighborhoods selling
ice cream. He is trying to decide whether he should buy another ice cream truck to add
to his fleet. He determines that one more truck will add $750 to his revenue but that the
truck will also increase his costs by $1,000. Based on marginal analysis, Mr. Freezee
decides:
A)
that he should not purchase the truck, since the costs outweigh the benefits.
B)
that he should purchase the truck, since the benefits outweigh the costs.
C)
that he should purchase the truck, since his profits will rise by $250.
D)
to purchase several trucks with the same costs and benefits.
219.
Julie is getting ready for final exams. She has three exams during the first three days of
the exam period. To prepare, she has outlined a schedule that includes reviewing for her
first exam on one day, her next exam on the following day, and her third exam on the
third day. On each day, she has also allocated some time when she can watch TV or
basically do nothing. Which best explains why Julie provides some time for leisure?
A)
Julie is not that smart and cannot study that long.
B)
Julie is slacking off and will most likely fail all of her finals.
C)
Julie realizes that there are benefits to leisure time that outweigh the costs of
constant studying.
D)
Julie does not understand the importance of studying.
220.
A popular train station has free parking for commuters who take the train. This often
results in many people being unable to find a parking spot and missing their train. To
solve this problem, all commuters should be:
A)
given a parking pass along with their ticket.
B)
required to pay for parking.
C)
able to purchase an annual pass which allows them to park at the train station.
D)
exempt from parking lot fees.
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221.
A bank offers two compensation plans to its tellers. Plan A provides an hourly wage of
$12. Plan B offers $10 per hour plus additional compensation if customers sign up for a
related bank product. If a teller chooses plan B, most likely this person would:
A)
be more helpful to customers than if he or she chose plan A.
B)
not be thinking wisely in choosing this plan.
C)
be less helpful to customers than if he or she chose plan A.
D)
not alter his or her behavior.
222.
Beth promises to do Alice’s taxes, and in exchange, Alice will set up several
spreadsheets for Beth’s household budget. This trade will most likely:
A)
be beneficial to both individuals.
B)
hurt both individuals.
C)
help Beth but hurt Alice.
D)
help Alice but hurt Beth.
223.
Overall, trade between China and the United States will:
A)
benefit the United States more than China.
B)
benefit China more than the United States.
C)
benefit both countries.
D)
hurt both countries.
224.
When a market is in equilibrium:
A)
a person could do better if he or she did something different.
B)
people have exploited all opportunities to make themselves better off.
C)
government has directed the market in such a way as to achieve this point.
D)
markets are not working efficiently.
225.
If an economy is efficient:
A)
all goods are produced at their maximum quantity.
B)
all opportunities to make people better off without making other people worse off
have been taken.
C)
more resources have been used to produce specific consumer goods than producer
goods.
D)
prices are the lowest they can possibly be.
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226.
After a great holiday season when it opened its doors for business regularly at 6 A.M., a
local retail store decides to continue to open at 6 A.M., even though many customers
plan on arriving later to do their shopping. Such a plan by the retail store is:
A)
efficient, since it worked previously.
B)
inefficient, since most customers will revert to their normal shopping behavior after
the holidays are over.
C)
efficient, since it means that workers do not have to change their hours.
D)
most likely to lead to lower operating costs for the store.
227.
Suppose a local community decides to give all of its citizens over age 60 a parking pass
that will enable them to park in the front of parking lots. For people over 60, this policy
is:
A)
equitable and efficient, since it applies to all citizens over 60.
B)
equitable but not efficient, since it applies to all citizens over 60.
C)
efficient but not equitable, since it applies to all citizens over 60.
D)
neither equitable nor efficient.
228.
The provision of disabled-parking passes to those with disabilities often requires that
more than enough spaces be available for those with disabilities. As a result, many of
these spaces are vacant quite often when they could be used by able-bodied individuals.
Such a situation illustrates the:
A)
trade-off between efficiency and equity.
B)
trade-off between efficiency and specialization.
C)
ability of markets to provide efficient and equitable outcomes.
D)
power of the market to provide for equilibrium outcomes.
229.
The existence of government intervention often suggests that:
A)
markets may not be able to provide for efficient results all of the time.
B)
individual actions have no side effects.
C)
equilibrium will be achieved through this intervention.
D)
markets can efficiently manage the allocation of goods.
230.
Suppose small business owners decide to spend less. How will this affect an economy?
A)
It will have no impact, since this group makes up a small portion of any economy.
B)
It will decrease the level of income of other people, since one person’s spending is
someone else’s income.
C)
It will cause prices for many goods to increase.
D)
It will increase the level of income in the economy, since other groups will spend
more.
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231.
People who live in large cities decide to spend less in their day-to-day activities. This
will most likely lead to:
A)
less income for other people.
B)
more income for other people.
C)
no impact on other people.
D)
inflation.
232.
Too little spending in an economy often leads to:
A)
a recession.
B)
inflation.
C)
equilibrium.
D)
efficiency.
233.
If government decided to increase taxes or decrease its spending, most likely this was to
correct:
A)
a recession.
B)
inflation.
C)
high unemployment.
D)
equilibrium.
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