Microeconomics Chapter 2

Economic models must mirror reality or they are of no value.

False

It is reasonable to assume that the world is composed of only one person when modelling international trade.

False

Macroeconomics is concerned with the study of how households and firms make decisions and how they interact in specific markets.

False

Normative statements can be refuted with evidence.

False

Points outside the production possibilities frontier are attainable but inefficient.

False

The production possibilities frontier is bowed outward because the trade-offs between the production of any two goods are constant.

False

The statement, "An increase in inflation tends to cause unemployment to fall in the short run," is normative

False

An advance in production technology would cause the production possibilities curve to shift outward.

True

Assumptions make the world easier to understand because they simplify reality and focus our attention.

True

If an economy is operating on its production possibilities frontier, it must be using its resources efficiently.

True

If an economy is operating on its production possibilities frontier, it must produce less of one good if it produces more of another.

True

If an economy were experiencing substantial unemployment, the economy is producing inside the production possibilities frontier.

True

Most economists believe that tariffs and import quotas usually reduce general economic welfare.

True

When economists make positive statements, they are more likely to be acting as scientists.

True

When people act as scientists, they must try to be objective.

True

In making which of the following statements is an economist acting more like a scientist? a. A reduction in unemployment benefits will reduce the unemployment rate. b. The rate of inflation should be reduced because it robs the elderly of their savings. c. The unemployment rate should be reduced because unemployment robs individuals of their dignity. d. The state should increase subsidies to universities because the future of our country depends on education.

a. A reduction in unemployment benefits will reduce the unemployment rate.

Which of the following statements about microeconomics and macroeconomics is not true? a. The study of very large industries is a topic within macroeconomics. b. Macroeconomics is concerned with economy-wide phenomena. c. Microeconomics is a building block for macroeconomics. d. Microeconomics and macroeconomics cannot be entirely separated.

a. The study of very large industries is a topic within macroeconomics.

Economic growth is depicted by a. a shift in the production possibilities frontier outward. b. a movement from inside the curve toward the curve. c. a shift in the production possibilities frontier inward. d. a movement along a production possibilities frontier toward capital goods.

a. a shift in the production possibilities frontier outward.

Which of the following issues is related to microeconomics? a. the impact of oil prices on car production b. the impact of money on inflation c. the impact of technology on economic growth d. the impact of the deficit on saving

a. the impact of oil prices on car production

The scientific method requires that a. the scientist be objective. b. the scientist use precision equipment. c. only correct theories are tested. d. only incorrect theories are tested. e. the scientist use test tubes and have a clean lab.

a. the scientist be objective.

Which of the following is most likely to produce scientific evidence about a theory? a. A lawyer employed by Renault addressing the impact of air bags on passenger safety. b. An economist permanently employed at a leading university analyzing the impact of bank regulations on lending to small businesses. c. An economist employed by the Trades Union Congress doing research on the impact of trade policy on workers' wages. d. A radio talk show host collecting data from listeners on how capital markets respond to taxation.

b. An economist permanently employed at a leading university analyzing the impact of bank regulations on lending to small businesses.

Economic models are a. usually made of wood and plastic. b. built with assumptions. c. useless if they are simple. d. created to duplicate reality.

b. built with assumptions.

Suppose two economists are arguing about policies that deal with unemployment. One economist says, "The government could lower unemployment by one percentage point if it would just increase government spending by 50 billion dollars." The other economist responds, "Nonsense and poppycock! If the government spent an additional 50 billion dollars, it would reduce unemployment by only one tenth of one percent, and that effect would only be temporary!" These economists a. none of these answers b. disagree because they have different scientific judgments. c. really don't disagree at all. It just appears that they disagree. d. disagree because they have different values.

b. disagree because they have different scientific judgments.

Suppose two economists are arguing about policies that deal with unemployment. One economist says, "The government should fight unemployment because it is the greatest social evil." The other economist responds, "Nonsense! Inflation is the greatest social evil." These economists a. really don't disagree at all. It just appears that they disagree. b. disagree because they have different values. c. none of these answers d. disagree because they have different scientific judgments.

b. disagree because they have different values.

Which of the following statements is normative? a. Large government deficits cause an economy to grow more slowly. b. People work harder if the wage is higher. c. The unemployment rate should be lower. d. Printing too much money causes inflation.

c. The unemployment rate should be lower.

In which of the following cases is the assumption most reasonable? a. To address the impact of taxes on income distribution, an economist assumes that everyone earns the same income. b. To address the impact of money growth on inflation, an economist assumes that money is strictly coins. c. To model the benefits of trade, an economist assumes that there are two people and two goods. d. To estimate the speed at which a beach ball falls, a physicist assumes that it falls in a vacuum.

c. To model the benefits of trade, an economist assumes that there are two people and two goods.

Which of the following will not shift a country's production possibilities frontier outward? a. an advance in technology b. an increase in the labour force c. an increase in the capital stock d. a reduction in unemployment

c. an increase in the capital stock

Positive statements are a. macroeconomic. b. microeconomic. c. statements of description that can be tested. d. statements of prescription that involve value judgments.

c. statements of description that can be tested.

Points on the production possibilities frontier are a. inefficient. b. normative. c. unattainable. d. efficient. e. none of these answers.

d. efficient.

Which of the following is not a factor of production? a. labour b. land c. money d. capital e. All of these answers are factors of production.

e. All of these answers are factors of production.