Past Paper MC questions Flashcards
The quantity theory of money assumes that the:
A ratio of the velocity of circulation to the price level rises when the money supply
increases.
B ratio of the velocity of circulation to the price level is fixed.
C ratio of the money supply to the velocity of circulation is fixed.
D ratio of the money supply to the price level is fixed.
D
Assume that the actual rate of unemployment is below the natural rate of unemployment because
the expected rate of inflation is below the actual rate of inflation. If the expected rate of inflation
rises to equal the actual rate of inflation, then:
A real output will increase and unemployment will increase.
B real output will increase and unemployment will decrease.
C real output will decrease and unemployment will increase.
D real output will decrease and unemployment will decrease.
C
Which of the following factors could lead to an upward shift in the expectations-augmented Phillips curve?
I an increase in expected inflation
II an increase in actual inflation
III an increase in demand-deficient unemployment.
A I only
B I and II only
C I and III only
D I, II and III
B
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A Stagflation can be explained in terms of Phillips loops.
B If inflation is falling, the adaptive expectations hypothesis suggests that inflation will be
consistently over-estimated.
C A fall in structural unemployment will shift the Phillips curve to the right.
D The vertical long-run Phillips curve suggests that inflation can be reduced without a
long-term increase in unemployment.
C
Which of the following is NOT a reason why the power of labour has reduced?
A a reduction in the power of trade unions
B an increase in the use of short-term contracts
C an increase in the number of nationally negotiated wage contracts
D an increase in the exposure to international competition
C
Which of the following is NOT an interventionist supply-side policy?
A the use of public-private partnerships
B the provision of infrastructure
C the location of government offices in depressed areas
D provision of R&D by government research institutions
A
Which of the following statements is FALSE?
A The neo-Austrian / libertarian school of thought advocates minimum liberty for economic
agents to pursue their own interests and to own property.
B Modern Keynesians advocate supply-side policies to shift the Phillips curve to the left.
C New classical economists favour market-orientated supply-side policies.
D ‘Third Way’ supply-side policies are based on the concept of helping people to help
themselves.
A
An increase in government spending has:
A a greater impact than an equal decrease in taxation has on national income.
B the same impact as an equal decrease in taxation has on national income.
C a smaller impact than an equal decrease in taxation has on national income.
D a multiplier effect on national income that is smaller than the multiplier effect of an equal
decrease in taxation.
A
A government wishing to increase aggregate demand might use any of the following measures EXCEPT:
A buying government securities on the open market.
B allowing interest rates to fall.
C increasing the tax on consumer goods.
D increasing social security benefits.
C
The payment of wages to refuse collectors is categorised as both:
A current expenditure and final expenditure.
B capital expenditure and final expenditure.
C current expenditure and transfers.
D capital expenditure and transfers
A
An exchange rate system in which rates are fixed for a period of time but may be revalued or
devalued in response to a substantial balance of payment surplus or deficit is referred to as:
A an adjustable peg.
B a crawling peg.
C a joint float.
D managed floating.
A
Which of the following is NOT a possible advantage of freely floating exchange rates?
A Current account deficits are corrected automatically.
B Their operation requires that there is sufficient international liquidity.
C It provides a degree of insulation against external shocks.
D Governments are free to implement their chosen domestic macroeconomic policy
B
In order to adopt the euro, each EU country had to meet convergence criteria that referred to all
of the following EXCEPT:
A the national debt.
B unemployment.
C interest rates.
D the inflation rate.
B
The loss of separate monetary policies within the eurozone is:
A an advantage of European Monetary Union.
B an argument against the principle of European Monetary Union.
C a criticism of the current design of European Monetary Union.
D none of the above.
B
Which of the following do you NOT associate with classical economists?
A loanable funds theory
B Say’s law
C quantity theory of money
D paradox of thrift
D
Possible causes of the financial crisis in 2008 include all of the following EXCEPT:
A the increase in sub-prime debt.
B the increased use of wholesale funding by the banks.
C moral hazard.
D counter-cyclical bank lending.
D
If a central bank decides to reduce the money supply to fight inflation, then if the country has a floating exchange rate this will assist in the process because the exchange rate of the domestic currency will tend to:
A appreciate and reduce the price of exports.
B appreciate and reduce the price of imports.
C depreciate and reduce the price of exports.
D depreciate and reduce the price of imports.
B
According to Keynesian analysis, the adoption of a policy to reduce the government’s budget deficit will involve:
A an increase in aggregate demand and a reduction in real output.
B an increase in aggregate demand and an increase in real output.
C a reduction in aggregate demand and a reduction in real output.
D a reduction in aggregate demand and an increase in real output.
C
Which of the following is best suited to reducing the level of structural unemployment?
A lowering the rate of interest
B raising the rate of unemployment benefit
C higher voluntary redundancy payments for workers in declining industries
D more government funds for retraining of the unemployed
D
Which of the following is a supply-side economic policy aimed at promoting economic growth?
A increases in social security benefits designed to increase expenditures of unemployed
workers
B measures designed to increase trade union powers so that real wage rises can increase
expenditures of employed workers
C increases in tariffs designed to increase production of domestic goods
D reduction in corporate taxation
D
Which of the following statements about a Taylor rule is NOT true?
A It can be used to influence expectations of inflation.
B It requires that interest rates be increased if inflation is above its target level.
C It requires that interest rates be increased if real GDP is above its potential level.
D It is open to political abuse.
D
Which of the following pairs is most likely to reduce aggregate demand?
A an increase in the budget surplus and decrease in the money supply
B an increase in the budget deficit and a tightening of credit availability
C an increase in the budget deficit and an increase in interest rates
D a decrease in interest rates and an increase in the budget surplus
A
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A If aggregate demand exceeds actual output, then firms’ stocks will fall and national income will rise.
B If aggregate demand exceeds actual output, then firms’ stocks and national income will both rise.
C If aggregate demand exceeds actual output, then firms’ stocks and national income will both fall.
D If aggregate demand exceeds actual output, then firms’ stocks will rise and national income will fall.
A
Which one of the following will increase the size of the multiplier?
A an increase in the marginal propensity to import
B an increase in the marginal tax rate
C a decrease in the marginal propensity to consume
D a decrease in the marginal propensity to save
D
The theory of surplus value was developed by:
A Adam Smith.
B David Ricardo.
C Karl Marx.
D John Maynard Keynes.
C
Under the gold standard:
A an increase in prices led to an inflow of gold.
B an increase in imports led to an inflow of gold.
C balance of payments deficits were paid in gold.
D there was no relationship between the amount of gold and the price level.
C
The record of a country’s transactions in goods and services and assets with the rest of the world
is referred to as its:
A balance of trade.
B capital account.
C balance of payments.
D current account.
C
Which of the following is recorded as a plus in the balance of payments accounts of Country A?
A the export of goods by Country A to the rest of the world
B short-term lending by Country A to the rest of the world
C the purchase of foreign shares by residents of Country A
D the payments of interest by residents of Country A to residents of other countries
A
Which one of the following is a high-earning but relatively illiquid asset of banks?
A certificates of deposit
B loans and advances to customers
C Treasury bills
D cash held at the central bank
B
An increase in the money supply will have a bigger impact on real output the more:
A interest-elastic is the demand for money and the more interest-elastic is the demand for
investment.
B interest-inelastic is the demand for money and the less interest-elastic is the demand for
investment.
C interest-elastic is the demand for money and the less interest-elastic is the demand for
investment.
D interest-inelastic is the demand for money and the more interest-elastic is the demand for
investment.
D
Which one of the following is NOT a ‘crowding out’ effect resulting from a fiscal expansion?
A a fall in investment due to the associated rise in the interest rate
B a fall in consumer demand due to the associated rise in the interest rate
C reduced import expenditure due to increased government demand for domestically
produced goods
D a fall in demand for exports due to an exchange rate appreciation caused by the
associated rise in the interest rate
C
The process of repackaging assets into marketable securities is known as:
A secondary action.
B speculation.
C securitisation.
D subcontracting.
C
An increase in the average riskiness of a bank’s assets, assuming that nothing else changes, will
result in:
A an increase in the capital adequacy ratio.
B a decrease in the capital adequacy ratio.
C an increase in the liquidity ratio.
D a decrease in the liquidity ratio.
B
Prudential control:
A is concerned with the financial health of the banking system as a whole and its impact on
the wider economy.
B is a requirement that each bank maintains sufficient liquidity.
C is measured in terms of the ratio of a bank’s share capital and reserves to its risk-weighted
assets.
D does not apply to global systemically important banks.
B
To improve the cash position of banks, the central bank could do any of the following EXCEPT:
A buy government bonds from banks with an agreement to sell them back later.
B issue more government bonds and fewer Treasury bills.
C buy Treasury bills from the banks before maturity.
D rediscount Treasury bills
B
Consumption smoothing may be explained by:
A the ability of households to borrow against future incomes.
B the banking system’s increased willingness to lend in a boom.
C a positive relationship between spending and net financial wealth.
D an increase in the number of credit-constrained households.
A
Which of the following will lead to a decrease in the demand for money?
A an increase in actual prices
B increased expectations of price rises
C a reduction in the use of credit cards
D a switch from weekly to monthly payment of wages
B
The central bank is concerned about rising domestic inflation. Which of the following monetary
measures would NOT be suitable as a means to try and reduce inflation?
A introducing minimum reserve ratios for banks
B reducing its lending to banks
C buying government bonds from banks
D funding the PSNCR with more government bonds and fewer Treasury bills
C
The policy remit of the European Central Bank is to:
A achieve a target inflation rate of below, but close to, 2% pa over the medium term.
B target an inflation rate of close to 2% pa, whilst taking account of the volatility of output.
C target low inflation, together with sustainable growth, low unemployment and moderate
long-term interest rates.
D target an inflation rate of exactly 2% pa.
A
Suppose that in Country A, the budget surplus is 20, investment is equal to 50 and savings are equal
to 40. Then the trade balance must be equal to:
A –10.
B +10.
C –30.
D +30
B
Which of the following describes social efficiency?
I a situation of Pareto optimality
II a situation in which changes in production or consumption can only make one person
better off if they make another worse off
III a situation in which marginal social benefit equals marginal social cost
A I and II
B I, II and III
C I only
D III only
B
A key difference between a public good and a merit good is that:
A public goods are provided by central government and merit goods by public corporations.
B it is possible to provide a public good to one person without it being available to others,
whereas it is impossible to provide a merit good to one person without it being available
to others.
C the supply of public goods is infinite whereas merit goods are limited in supply.
D one person’s consumption of a public good leaves the amount available for others
unaffected, whereas one person’s consumption of a merit good can reduce the amount
available for others
D
The demand and supply functions for Good A are as follows:
q_d = 40-2p
Q_s = ½p
The government now introduces a subsidy of 5 per unit, payable to firms, in order to encourage
consumption of Good A. The cost of this subsidy will be:
A 20
B 30
C 40
D 50
D
Which of the following is NOT an example of collusion between firms?
A horizontal price fixing
B agreement to limit production to keep supply low
C increasing R&D to gain a competitive advantage
D sharing out sources of supply
C
Which of the following is NOT a condition required for first-degree price discrimination?
A The firm must operate under perfect competition.
B The firm must have a degree of price control.
C Consumers must be unable to sell goods on to other consumers.
D It must be possible to easily determine the prices that consumers are willing to pay.
A
Which of the following statements about national income is always true in a country in which
taxes on goods exceed subsidies?
I GNY > GDP
II GNY > NNY
III NNY at market prices > NNY at basic prices
A I and II
B II and III
C I only
D III only
B
Aggregate demand in France is:
A the amount that French firms, households and government plan to spend on goods and
services.
B the amount that French firms, households and government plan to spend on domestic
goods and services.
C the amount that French and foreign firms, households and governments plan to spend on
French goods and services.
D the amount that French firms, households and government actually spend on domestic
goods and services.
C
Which of the following is NOT a substitution effect on aggregate demand as a result of a rise in
the price level?
A the decrease in investment caused by the increase in interest rates
B the decrease in consumption caused by the real balance effect
C the decrease in consumption caused by a decrease in real incomes
D the increase in the demand for imports caused by reduced competitiveness
C
For an economy in equilibrium, savings = 300, investment = 200, exports = 100, imports = 150 and
government spending is 250. Taxation is therefore:
A 50
B 100
C 150
D 200
B
Which one of the following is best suited to reducing the level of structural unemployment?
A lowering the rate of interest
B raising the rate of unemployment benefit
C higher voluntary redundancy payments for workers in declining industries
D more government funds for retraining of the unemployed
D
A consumer prices index is a measure of changes in:
A the pattern of consumer spending.
B the average standard of living.
C average earnings.
D the average cost of living.
D
Which of the following is NOT a method of measuring the output gap?
A de-trending techniques
B business surveys
C production function approach
D production possibility curve
D
Country A exports Good X to Country B and imports Good Y from Country B. If the price of Good X
rises by 40% and the price of Good Y falls by 30%, what can be said about Country A’s terms of
trade?
A It has increased by 40%.
B It has increased by 70%.
C It has increased by 100%.
D It has decreased by 100%.
C
If, with one hour of labour, Country A can produce 10 units of Good X or 5 units of Good Y; and
Country B can produce 6 units of Good X or 2 units of Good Y, then:
A Country A has an absolute advantage in Good X and a comparative advantage in Good X.
B Country B has an absolute advantage in Good X and a comparative advantage in Good X.
C Country A has an absolute advantage in Good X and Country B has a comparative
advantage in Good X.
D Country B has an absolute advantage in Good X and Country A has a comparative
advantage in Good X.
C
A loss leader may be used as part of which of the following pricing strategies?
A predatory pricing
B full-range pricing
C peak-load pricing
D first-degree price discrimination
B
An increase in the value of the pound sterling will:
I increase the price of imports into the UK.
II increase the volume of exports from the UK.
III improve the UK’s terms of trade.
A I and II
B II and III
C I only
D III only
D
Which of the following is NOT one of the four limits to trade?
A increasing opportunity costs
B transport costs outweighing any comparative advantage
C strategy, structure and rivalry of firms
D government restrictions on trade
C
What do economists mean by opportunity cost?
A the value of the best alternative use for a resource
B the equilibrium price for a scarce good
C the revenue lost by missing an economic opportunity
D the cost of allocating scarce resources
A
Points to the right of the production possibility curve show combinations of goods:
A at which production is efficient.
B at which production is inefficient.
C that are unattainable given the current level of scarce resources.
D that have zero opportunity cost.
C