Last Name, Name:     UTPA ID: 

Make sure you spell your name correctly. Last name, first name. For example: Reynolds, Stephanie

 
Email: 

HW1 ECON2301 FALL10

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
 

 1. 

Which of the following words and phrases best captures the notion of equality?
a.
minimum waste
b.
maximum benefit
c.
sameness
d.
efficiency
 

 2. 

Which of the following is a principle concerning how people interact?
a.
Markets are usually a good way to organize economic activity.
b.
Rational people think at the margin.
c.
People respond to incentives.
d.
All of the above are correct.
 

 3. 

A company that formerly produced software went out of business because too many potential customers bought illegally-produced copies of the software instead of buying the product directly from the company. This instance serves as an example of
a.
market power.
b.
inefficient trade.
c.
inadequate enforcement of property rights.
d.
the invisible hand at work.
 

 4. 

Market power refers to the
a.
power of a single person or small group to influence market prices.
b.
ability of a person or small group to successfully market new products.
c.
power of the government to regulate a market.
d.
importance of a certain market in relation to the overall economy.
 

 5. 

Which of the following is an important cause of inflation in an economy?
a.
increases in productivity in the economy
b.
the influence of positive externalities on the economy
c.
lack of property rights in the economy
d.
growth in the quantity of money in the economy
 

 6. 

An economic theory about international trade that is based on the assumption that there are only two countries trading two goods
a.
is useless, since the real world has many countries trading many goods.
b.
can be useful only in situations involving two countries and two goods.
c.
can be useful in the classroom, but is useless in the real world.
d.
can be useful in helping economists understand the complex world of international trade involving many countries and many goods.
 

 7. 

A model can be accurately described as a
a.
theoretical abstraction with very little value.
b.
device that is useful only to the people who created it.
c.
realistic and carefully constructed theory.
d.
simplification of reality.
 
 
Figure 1

nar001-1.jpg
 

 8. 

Refer to Figure 1.  Julio buys a new pair of shoes at a shoe store.  To which of the arrows does this transaction directly contribute?
a.
A only
b.
A and B
c.
C only
d.
C and D
 

 9. 

When an economy is operating inside its production possibilities frontier, we know that
a.
there are unused resources or inefficiencies in the economy.
b.
all of the economy’s resources are fully employed.
c.
economic growth would have to occur in order for the economy to move to a point on the frontier.
d.
in order to produce more of one good, the economy would have to give up some of the other good.
 
 
Figure 2

nar002-1.jpg
 

 10. 

Refer to Figure 2.  It is possible for this economy to produce
a.
40 toothbrushes and 20 toasters.
b.
50 toothbrushes and 30 toasters.
c.
70 toothbrushes and 40 toasters.
d.
All of the above.
 

 11. 

Which of the following is an example of a normative, as opposed to positive, statement?
a.
The price of gasoline came down sharply during the second half of 2006.
b.
If the government were to set a maximum legal price on gasoline, then there would be a shortage of gasoline.
c.
Income taxes should be reduced.
d.
The federal government obtains much of its revenue from income taxes.
 

 12. 

If Shawn can produce more donuts in one day than Sue can produce in one day, then
a.
Shawn has a comparative advantage in the production of donuts.
b.
Sue has a comparative advantage in the production of donuts.
c.
Shawn has an absolute advantage in the production of donuts.
d.
Sue has an absolute advantage in the production of donuts.
 
 
Table 1

Assume that Aruba and Iceland can switch between producing coolers and producing radios at a constant rate.

 
Labor Hours
Needed to Make 1
Cooler
Radio
Aruba
2
5
Iceland
1
4
 

 13. 

Refer to Table 1.  Aruba’s opportunity cost of one cooler is 
a.
0.4 radio and Iceland’s opportunity cost of one cooler is 0.25 radio.
b.
0.4 radio and Iceland’s opportunity cost of one cooler is 4 radios.
c.
2.5 radios and Iceland’s opportunity cost of one cooler is 0.25 radio.
d.
2.5 radios and Iceland’s opportunity cost of one cooler is 4 radios.
 
 
Table 2

Assume that the farmer and the rancher can switch between producing meat and producing potatoes at a constant rate.

 
Labor Hours Needed
to Make 1 Pound of
Pounds Produced
in 40 Hours
Meat
Potatoes
Meat
Potatoes
Farmer
10
2
4
20
Rancher
4
8
10
5
 

 14. 

Refer to Table 2.  Which of the following combinations of meat and potatoes could the rancher not produce in 40 hours?
a.
2.5 pounds of meat and 3.75 pounds of potatoes.
b.
5 pounds of meat and 2.5 pounds of potatoes.
c.
7.5 pounds of meat and 1.25 pounds of potatoes.
d.
10 pounds of meat and 0.5 pound of potatoes.
 

 15. 

Refer to Table 2.  The farmer has an absolute advantage in the production of
a.
meat.
b.
potatoes.
c.
both goods.
d.
neither good.
 
 
Table 3

Assume that England and Spain can switch between producing cheese and producing bread at a constant rate.

 
Labor Hours Needed
to Make 1 Unit of
Number of Units
Produced in 40 Hours
Cheese
Bread
Cheese
Bread
England
1
4
40
10
Spain
4
8
10
5
 

 16. 

Refer to Table 3. We could use the information in the table to draw a production possibilities frontier for England and a second production possibilities frontier for Spain.  If we were to do this, measuring bread along the horizontal axis, then
a.
the slope of England’s production possibilities frontier would be -4 and the slope of Spain’s production possibilities frontier would be -2.
b.
the slope of England’s production possibilities frontier would be -0.25 and the slope of Spain’s production possibilities frontier would be -0.5.
c.
the slope of England’s production possibilities frontier would be 0.25 and the slope of Spain’s production possibilities frontier would be 0.5.
d.
the slope of England’s production possibilities frontier would be 4 and the slope of Spain’s production possibilities frontier would be 2.
 

 17. 

Refer to Table 3.  If England and Spain each spends all its time producing the good in which it has a comparative advantage and the countries agree to trade 2 units of bread for 6 units of cheese, then England will consume
a.
34 units of cheese and 2 units of bread and Spain will consume 6 units of cheese and 3 units of bread.
b.
34 units of cheese and 2 units of bread and Spain will consume 16 units of cheese and 3 units of bread.
c.
34 units of cheese and 12 units of bread and Spain will consume 6 units of cheese and 3 units of bread.
d.
34 units of cheese and 12 units of bread and Spain will consume 16 units of cheese and 3 units of bread.
 
 
Figure 3

Bolivia’s Production Possibilities Frontier

nar006-1.jpg
 

 18. 

Refer to Figure 3.  Suppose Bolivia decides to increase its production of emeralds by 2.  What is the opportunity cost of this decision?
a.
30 rubies
b.
40 rubies
c.
60 rubies
d.
120 rubies
 
 
Figure 4

Bob’s Production Possibilities FrontierEnid’s Production Possibilities Frontier

nar007-1.jpg      nar007-2.jpg
 

 19. 

Refer to Figure 4.  If the production possibilities frontier shown for Bob is for 100 hours of production, then how long does it take Bob to make one burrito?
a.
1/4 hour
b.
1/3 hour
c.
3 hours
d.
4 hours
 
 
Figure 5

Maxine’s Production Possibilities FrontierDaisy’s Production Possibilities Frontier

nar008-1.jpgnar008-2.jpg
 

 20. 

Refer to Figure 5.  If the production possibilities frontiers shown are each for one day of work, then which of the following combinations of pies and tarts could Maxine and Daisy together make in a given day?
a.
6 pies and 24 tarts
b.
8 pies and 22 tarts
c.
14 pies and 18 tarts
d.
18 pies and 14 tarts
 
 
Figure 6

Bintu’s Production Possibilities FrontierJuba’s Production Possibilities Frontier

nar009-1.jpgnar009-2.jpg
 

 21. 

Refer to Figure 6.  If Bintu and Juba both spend all of their time making bowls, then total production is
a.
2 bowls.
b.
3 bowls.
c.
4 bowls.
d.
6 bowls.
 

 22. 

Refer to Figure 6.  The opportunity cost of 1 cup for Bintu is
a.
1/8 bowl.
b.
1/4 bowl.
c.
4 bowls.
d.
8 bowls.
 

 23. 

The forces that make market economies work are
a.
work and leisure.
b.
politics and religion.
c.
supply and demand.
d.
taxes and government spending.
 

 24. 

The law of demand states that, other things equal,
a.
when the price of a good falls, the demand for the good rises.
b.
when the price of a good rises, the quantity demanded of the good rises.
c.
when the price of a good rises, the demand for the good falls.
d.
when the price of a good falls, the quantity demanded of the good rises.
 

 25. 

The following table contains a demand schedule for a good.

Price
Quantity Demanded
$10
100
$20
X

If the law of demand applies to this good, then “X” could be
a.
0.
b.
100.
c.
200.
d.
400.
 

 26. 

A market demand curve shows how the total quantity demanded of a good varies as
a.
income varies.
b.
price varies.
c.
the number of buyers varies.
d.
supply varies.
 

 27. 

If buyers today become more willing and able than before to purchase larger quantities of Vanilla Coke at each price of Vanilla Coke, then
a.
we will observe a movement downward and to the right along the demand curve for Vanilla Coke.
b.
we will observe a movement upward and to the left along the demand curve for Vanilla Coke.
c.
the demand curve for Vanilla Coke will shift to the right.
d.
the demand curve for Vanilla Coke will shift to the left.
 
 
Figure 7

Panel (a)
Panel (b)
nar010-1.jpgnar010-2.jpg
 

 28. 

Refer to Figure 7.  The graphs show the demand for cigarettes.  In Panel (a), the arrows are consistent with which of the following events?
a.
Tobacco and marijuana are complements and the price of marijuana decreased.
b.
Tobacco is a “gateway drug” and the price of marijuana increased.
c.
The price of cigarettes increased.
d.
The arrows are consistent with all of these events.
 

 29. 

The supply curve for a good is
a.
a line that relates profit and quantity supplied.
b.
a line that relates input prices and quantity supplied.
c.
a line that relates price and quantity supplied.
d.
a line that relates price and profit.
 
 
Table 3

Price
Firm A’s
Quantity
Supplied
Firm B’s
Quantity
Supplied
Firm C’s
Quantity
Supplied
Firm D’s
Quantity
Supplied
$0
10
0
0
0
$2
8
3
4
5
$4
6
6
8
10
$6
4
9
12
15
$8
2
12
8
20
$10
0
15
4
25
 

 30. 

Refer to Table 3.  If these are the only four sellers in the market, then the market quantity supplied at a price of $4 is
a.
4 units.
b.
7.5 units.
c.
10 units.
d.
30 units.
 

 31. 

A rightward shift of a supply curve is called
a.
an increase in supply.
b.
a decrease in supply.
c.
a decrease in quantity supplied.
d.
an increase in quantity supplied.
 

 32. 

A movement downward and to the left along a supply curve is called
a.
an increase in supply.
b.
a decrease in supply.
c.
a decrease in quantity supplied.
d.
an increase in quantity supplied.
 

 33. 

A decrease in the price of a good will
a.
increase supply.
b.
decrease supply.
c.
increase quantity supplied.
d.
decrease quantity supplied.
 

 34. 

If there is a shortage of farm laborers, we would expect
a.
the wage of farm laborers to increase.
b.
the wage of farm laborers to decrease.
c.
the price of farm commodities to decrease.
d.
a decrease in the demand for substitutes for farm labor.
 
 
Figure 8

nar012-1.jpg
 

 35. 

Refer to Figure 8.  At a price of $12, which of the following is correct?
a.
there is a surplus of 1 unit
b.
there is a surplus of 2 units
c.
there is a shortage of 1 unit
d.
there is a shortage of 2 units
 

 36. 

Consider the market for new DVDs.  If DVD players became cheaper, buyers expected DVD prices to fall next year, used DVDs became more expensive, and DVD production technology improved, then we could safely conclude that the equilibrium price of a new DVD would
a.
rise.
b.
fall.
c.
stay the same.
d.
We couldn't be sure what it might do.
 

 37. 

Equilibrium quantity will unambiguously increase when
a.
demand increases and supply does not change, when demand does not change and supply increases, and when both demand and supply increase.
b.
demand increases and supply does not change, when demand does not change and supply increases, and when both demand and supply decrease.
c.
demand decreases and supply does not change, when demand does not change and supply decreases, and when both demand and supply increase.
d.
demand decreases and supply does not change, when demand does not change and supply decreases, and when both demand and supply decrease.
 



 
         Start Over