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Chapter 10 What Is Macroeconomics?
MULTIPLE CHOICE
8. Between 1960 and 2014, the average unemployment rate in the United States was about:
a. 4%. d. 8%.
b. 6%. e. 9%.
c. 0%.
ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: Employment TOP: II.A.
MSC: Remembering
11. Which of the following two types of unemployment occur even when the economy is healthy and
growing?
a. frictional and structural d. frictional and practical
b. cyclical and frictional e. structural and practical
c. structural and cyclical
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Employment TOP: II.A.
MSC: Understanding
14. Which of the following statements about historical unemployment rate is true?
a. Since 1960 the average unemployment rate in the United States has been about 2%.
b. Since 1960 the average unemployment rate in the United States has been about 10%.
c. Since 1960 the average unemployment rate in the United States has been about 6%.
d. The unemployment rate in the United States has never fallen below 6%.
e. The unemployment rate in the United States is always above 5%.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Employment TOP: II.A.
MSC: Applying
15. Which of the following questions does the official unemployment rate answer?
a. How many people in the economy are underemployed?
b. What percentage of the labor force is classified as unemployed?
c. What is the overall health of the economy?
d. How many workers are discouraged?
e. Are people unemployed for short-term or long-term spells?
ANS: B DIF: Moderate REF: Employment TOP: II.A.
MSC: Remembering
16. One misconception that people often have about unemployment is that:
a. unemployment is a macroeconomic topic.
b. unemployment is important to the economy.
c. as a nation, we should aim for zero unemployment.
d. the unemployment rate does not tell the whole story about the employment situation.
e. discouraged workers are not included in the official unemployment rate.
ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: Structural Unemployment
TOP: II.A.1. MSC: Understanding
19. Workers who lose their jobs because the skill sets they possess are no longer required in the
economy are considered to be:
a. discouraged workers. d. overemployed.
b. cyclically unemployed. e. structurally unemployed.
c. frictionally unemployed.
ANS: E DIF: Moderate REF: Structural Unemployment
TOP: II.A.1. MSC: Remembering
20. Workers who lose their jobs because of market innovations are considered:
a. discouraged workers. d. structurally unemployed.
b. cyclically unemployed. e. employed.
c. frictionally unemployed.
ANS: D DIF: Moderate REF: Structural Unemployment
TOP: II.A.1. MSC: Remembering
21. Some jobs in the economy are no longer needed after an advancement in technology. A person
who loses his or her job this way would be considered:
a. frictionally unemployed. d. overemployed.
b. cyclically unemployed. e. a discouraged worker.
c. structurally unemployed.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Structural Unemployment
TOP: II.A.1. MSC: Understanding
23. Jamal works in a factory in Lake Zurich, Illinois, assembling toy trains. The factory owner updates
the current equipment and installs new robots that can do Jamal’s job. As a result, Jamal is laid off
and is now unemployed. Jamal would be considered:
a. structurally unemployed. d. overemployed.
b. cyclically unemployed. e. a discouraged worker.
c. frictionally unemployed.
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Structural Unemployment
TOP: II.A.1. MSC: Applying
24. Between 1980 and 2010, steel industry employment in the United States has:
a. stayed constant. d. risen by almost 90%.
b. fallen by around 70%. e. fallen by only 10%.
c. fallen by around 55%.
ANS: B DIF: Moderate REF: Structural Unemployment
TOP: II.A.1. MSC: Remembering
25. The government has decided to give governmental grants to community colleges that offer job
training for individuals who have recently been laid off due to their outmoded skills. The
government is trying to reduce the level of:
a. structural unemployment.
b. frictional unemployment.
c. cyclical unemployment.
d. real gross domestic product (GDP).
e. household consumption.
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Structural Unemployment
TOP: II.A.1. MSC: Applying
27. Even in years when unemployment is high and millions of Americans are looking for work,
thousands of jobs every year go unfilled by Americans in the farm industry. Which is the best
explanation for this phenomenon?
a. Large farm employment states discourage migration into their states.
b. Regulations prevent farmers from hiring Americans to work on farms.
c. Farmers do not advertise the availability of farm jobs.
d. Americans appear to be unwilling or unable to work on farms.
e. Americans do not have the educational skills required for farm work.
ANS: D DIF: Moderate REF: Americans Don’t Appear to Want Farm Work
TOP: II.A.1.a. MSC: Understanding
28. Some people complain that immigrants are taking farm jobs away from American workers. Which
is the best explanation for this claim?
a. The claim is true: millions of immigrants displace American farmworkers.
b. The claim is true: immigrants are better educated than American farmworkers.
c. The claim is false: across the country, American farms employ more domestic workers
than immigrant workers.
d. The claim is false: Americans appear to be unwilling or unable to work on farms.
e. The claim is false: Americans can always get better work than on a farm.
ANS: D DIF: Moderate REF: Americans Don’t Appear to Want Farm Work
TOP: II.A.1.a. MSC: Understanding
30. Unemployment caused by delays in matching available jobs and workers is called _________
unemployment.
a. structural d. frictional
b. cyclical e. seasonal
c. discouraged
ANS: D DIF: Easy REF: Frictional Unemployment
TOP: II.A.2. MSC: Remembering
31. A government program that reduces the hardship of being out of work by guaranteeing that
unemployed workers receive a percentage of their former incomes while they are unemployed is
referred to as:
a. employment insurance. d. frictional unemployment.
b. unemployment insurance. e. structural unemployment.
c. natural unemployment.
ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: Frictional Unemployment
TOP: II.A.2. MSC: Remembering
32. Some individuals are unemployed because it takes time for them to find jobs that fit their skill sets.
These individuals would be considered to be:
a. frictionally unemployed. d. overemployed.
b. cyclically unemployed. e. discouraged workers.
c. structurally unemployed.
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Frictional Unemployment
TOP: II.A.2. MSC: Understanding
33. Nina has a part-time job as she finishes her degree in fashion design. After obtaining her degree
she decides to quit her part-time job to search for a job that better fits her now-improved skill set.
Nina has a few interviews, but it is taking time to find the job that suits her best. Nina would be
considered:
a. structurally unemployed. d. overemployed.
b. cyclically unemployed. e. a discouraged worker.
c. frictionally unemployed.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Frictional Unemployment
TOP: II.A.2. MSC: Applying
34. Which of the following is an example of frictional unemployment?
a. Raymond loses his job as a steelworker because the economy is in a downturn.
b. Chad graduates with his master’s degree in economics and is searching for an analyst job.
c. Edith has decided to retire after 35 years of working at the state prison.
d. Cameron quits his job at the circus to volunteer for the Red Cross.
e. Jasmine loses her job as a newspaper editor because the publication has gone digital.
ANS: B DIF: Moderate REF: Frictional Unemployment
TOP: II.A.2. MSC: Applying
35. The invention of the Internet has reduced ____________ unemployment because it allows for
workers and employers to find each other more quickly.
a. structural d. frictional
b. cyclical e. seasonal
c. discouraged
ANS: D DIF: Moderate REF: Frictional Unemployment
TOP: II.A.2. MSC: Applying
36. Brian Murphy is a political consultant for a candidate in Massachusetts. Mr. Murphy’s candidate is
defeated in the November election, and as a result, Mr. Murphy finds himself unemployed. Mr.
Murphy’s unemployment is classified as ___________ unemployment.
a. discouraged d. cyclical
b. structural e. long-term
c. frictional
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Frictional Unemployment
TOP: II.A.2. MSC: Applying
37. Anything that lengthens the job search process _________ unemployment.
a. increases structural d. increases cyclical
b. increases frictional e. decreases structural
c. decreases frictional
ANS: B DIF: Moderate REF: Frictional Unemployment
TOP: II.A.2. MSC: Understanding
38. When it is difficult to hire employees, firms take ____________ to hire, which increases
____________ unemployment.
a. less time; frictional d. longer; cyclical
b. less time; structural e. longer; structural
c. longer; frictional
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Frictional Unemployment
TOP: II.A.2. MSC: Understanding
41. The Internet has enabled workers and companies to find each other more quickly and to make
better matches with substantially lower costs. The result is ___________ unemployment.
a. lower frictional d. lower cyclical
b. lower structural e. higher structural
c. higher frictional
ANS: A DIF: Difficult REF: Frictional Unemployment
TOP: II.A.2. MSC: Applying
42. Government policies such as unemployment compensation and government regulations related to
hiring and firing employees result in _________ unemployment.
a. lower frictional d. lower cyclical
b. lower structural e. higher structural
c. higher frictional
ANS: C DIF: Moderate
REF: Unemployment, Government Policies, and Incentives TOP: II.A.3.
MSC: Understanding
43. In November 2009, the United States was in a deep recession. To help keep the economy afloat,
the government extended the period of time one could receive unemployment insurance to 99
weeks. This policy had an unintended consequence because:
a. workers searched for jobs for longer, which reduced the unemployment rate.
b. many workers quit their jobs so they could receive unemployment insurance.
c. workers spent more time searching for the perfect job, which increased frictional
unemployment.
d. employers were more hesitant to fire workers, which reduced the unemployment rate.
e. employers were more hesitant to fire workers, which increased the unemployment rate.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate
REF: Unemployment, Government Policies, and Incentives TOP: II.A.3.
MSC: Understanding
44. The government can assist in reducing the level of structural unemployment by:
a. providing unemployment insurance.
b. establishing government regulations on firing employees.
c. taxing employers who hire low-skilled workers.
d. providing job-training programs.
e. incentivizing companies to update their current technology.
ANS: D DIF: Difficult
REF: Unemployment, Government Policies, and Incentives TOP: II.A.3.
MSC: Applying
45. The government can assist in reducing the level of structural unemployment by:
a. providing unemployment benefits.
b. establishing government regulations on hiring employees.
c. subsidizing the relocation of workers who lose their jobs.
d. instituting a minimum-wage law.
e. incentivizing companies to move their production overseas.
ANS: C DIF: Difficult
REF: Unemployment, Government Policies, and Incentives TOP: II.A.3.
MSC: Applying
47. During normal economic times, unemployment in Italy tends to be ____________ than in the
United States mainly because of ____________.
a. higher; labor market regulations d. longer; exchange rates
b. lower; labor market regulations e. higher; cyclical unemployment
c. higher; exchange rates
ANS: A DIF: Difficult REF: Employment, Italian Style
TOP: II.A.3.a. MSC: Applying
53. Some individuals are unemployed because they are laid off from their jobs when the economy is
sluggish. These individuals would be considered:
a. frictionally unemployed. d. overemployed.
b. cyclically unemployed. e. discouraged workers.
c. structurally unemployed.
ANS: B DIF: Moderate REF: Cyclical Unemployment
TOP: II.A.4. MSC: Understanding
55. During a recession, fewer individuals fly across the country for vacations. As a result, many pilots
and flight attendants lose their jobs. The pilots and flight attendants would be classified as:
a. frictionally unemployed. d. overemployed.
b. discouraged workers. e. cyclically unemployed.
c. structurally unemployed.
ANS: E DIF: Moderate REF: Cyclical Unemployment
TOP: II.A.4. MSC: Applying
56. An unemployment rate that is above the natural rate indicates ________ unemployment, and we
say that the economy is producing ________ the full employment output level.
a. cyclical; at more than d. frictional; at more than
b. cyclical; at e. frictional; at
c. cyclical; at less than
ANS: C DIF: Difficult REF: Cyclical Unemployment
TOP: II.A.4. MSC: Understanding
57. In macroeconomics:
a. output and income are very different concepts.
b. output and income are essentially identical.
c. output is less than income.
d. output is greater than income.
e. income is measured in dollars but output is not.
ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: Production Equals Income
TOP: II.B.1. MSC: Remembering
58. GDP is best defined as the total market value of all ___________ produced within a country within
a given time.
a. goods and services d. goods
b. final goods and services e. final goods
c. services
ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: Production Equals Income
TOP: II.B.1. MSC: Remembering
59. When GDP increases, national income ________ and national output __________.
a. is unaffected; is unaffected d. increases; is unaffected
b. increases; increases e. is unaffected; decreases
c. decreases; decreases
ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: Production Equals Income
TOP: II.B.1. MSC: Understanding
60. Joe owns a crab shack. When he produces and sells ________ meals in a given day, his income
earned will ________.
a. more; stay the same d. fewer; stay the same
b. more; increase e. fewer; increase
c. more; decrease
ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: Production Equals Income
TOP: II.B.1. MSC: Applying
Consider the following data, which shows the quantities and prices of two goods produced in the
economy, to answer the three questions that follow.
63. Assuming these are the only two goods produced in the economy, what is the value of the GDP?
a. $110 million d. $250 million
b. $750 million e. $500 million
c. $2 million
ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: Production Equals Income
TOP: II.B.1. MSC: Applying
66. To evaluate the change in average living standards over time, it is best to use:
a. the inflation rate. d. real GDP per capita.
b. GDP. e. real GDP.
c. GDP per capita.
ANS: D DIF: Easy REF: Two Additional Uses of GDP Data
TOP: II.B.2. MSC: Remembering
67. The best measure of the average living standards of people in the country is the:
a. dollar value of final goods and services produced.
b. dollar value of final goods and services produced per person.
c. amount of final goods and services produced.
d. amount of final goods and services produced per person.
e. average price of final goods and services produced.
ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: Two Additional Uses of GDP Data
TOP: II.B.2. MSC: Understanding
68. Country A has a GDP of $200,000 and a population of 1,000. Country B has a GDP of $400,000
and a population of 4,000. Which of the following is true?
a. The value of output is higher in country A.
b. The value of income is higher in country A.
c. The value of GDP per capita is higher in country A.
d. The value of GDP per capita is higher in country B.
e. The average living standard is higher in country B.
ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: Two Additional Uses of GDP Data
TOP: II.B.2. MSC: Applying
71. The difference between non-adjusted GDP and real GDP is:
a. real output growth. d. long-run trend GDP.
b. the price level. e. average output growth.
c. nominal output growth.
ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: Two Additional Uses of GDP Data
TOP: II.B.2. MSC: Remembering
Consider the following data to answer the five questions that follow.
74. Although countries C and D have the same level of GDP, country C has a level of per capita GDP
that is ________ times that of country D.
a. 2 d. 5
b. 3 e. 10
c. 4
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Two Additional Uses of GDP Data
TOP: II.B.2. MSC: Applying
75. Which two countries have the same average living standard?
a. B and C d. C and E
b. C and D e. A and E
c. A and B
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Two Additional Uses of GDP Data
TOP: II.B.2. MSC: Applying
76. If these are the only five countries in the world, then country B produces _______ of world GDP.
a. 50% d. 62.5%
b. 25% e. 30%
c. 20%
ANS: B DIF: Moderate REF: Two Additional Uses of GDP Data
TOP: II.B.2. MSC: Applying
78. GDP increases if prices decrease by ________ and quantities produced increase by ________.
a. 2%; 4% d. 3%; 1%
b. 2%; 2% e. 3%; 3%
c. 4%; 2%
ANS: A DIF: Moderate REF: Two Additional Uses of GDP Data
TOP: II.B.2. MSC: Analyzing
80. Between two given years, if real GDP and non-adjusted GDP grow at the same rate, then:
a. the price level increased.
b. prices must have remained constant between the two years.
c. quantities must have remained constant between the two years.
d. prices and quantities must have remained constant between the two years.
e. prices and quantities must have grown at the same rate between the two years.
ANS: B DIF: Difficult REF: Two Additional Uses of GDP Data
TOP: II.B.2. MSC: Understanding
83. The increase in the overall level of prices in the economy is called:
a. the inflation rate. d. GDP per capita.
b. the growth rate of GDP. e. the interest rate.
c. GDP.
ANS: A DIF: Easy REF: Inflation TOP: II.C.
MSC: Remembering
87. It has been shown that increases in the money supply are directly related to the rate of inflation. If
the previous statement is true, then:
a. nations that increase their money supplies most rapidly will be the most prosperous.
b. high inflation will normally be associated with large increases in the money supply.
c. high inflation will normally be associated with large decreases in the money supply.
d. costs to print money will rise when the money supply falls.
e. real GDP rises whenever the money supply increases.
ANS: B DIF: Moderate REF: The Cause of Inflation
TOP: II.C.1. MSC: Applying
89. Precepts of the classical school of economics include all of the following EXCEPT:
a. by adjusting to varying levels of demand and supply, markets are usually efficient in
organizing economic activity.
b. general non-intervention by government, that is, “laissez faire” (allow to do).
c. regular government intervention to assure stability and growth in the economy.
d. if government intervention is necessary, it should be with the goal of increasing economic
activity.
e. money is important as a medium of exchange, but printing excess money will lead to
inflation.
ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: Schools of Thought in Macroeconomics
TOP: III. MSC: Remembering
90. Keynesian economics include all of the following EXCEPT:
a. by not being able to adjust to varying levels of demand and supply, markets are rarely
efficient in organizing economic activity.
b. general non-intervention by government, that is, “laissez faire” (allow to do).
c. regular government intervention to assure stability and growth in the economy.
d. if government intervention is necessary, it should be with the goal of increasing economic
activity, mainly by the government spending money it does not have.
e. money is important as a medium of exchange, but printing excess money will not lead to
inflation, at least in the short run.
ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: Schools of Thought in Macroeconomics
TOP: III. MSC: Remembering
91. If asked about the basic functioning of the economy, a classical economist would claim that:
a. the market tends toward stability and full employment.
b. the market tends toward instability and cyclical unemployment.
c. prices are slow to adjust.
d. the economy needs help in moving back to full employment.
e. the short run is more significant than the long run.
ANS: A DIF: Easy REF: Classical Economics
TOP: III.A. MSC: Understanding
92. Based on the belief that prices are very flexible, classical economists conclude that:
a. the economy can become stuck at high levels of unemployment for long periods of time.
b. government intervention in the economy is unnecessary.
c. the economy will experience wild swings in output and employment.
d. the best type of economy is centrally planned and run by the state.
e. government intervention in the economy is very necessary.
ANS: B DIF: Moderate REF: Classical Economics
TOP: III.A. MSC: Analyzing
93. Which of the following policy statements would a classical economist tend to support?
a. The government should be prepared to intervene when the economy changes in any way.
b. The government should only intervene in the economy when total output decreases.
c. The government should allow the economy to adjust to changes in demand on its own,
without interference.
d. The government should frequently change taxes and spending levels to manipulate the
economy.
e. The government should only intervene in the economy when total output increases.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Classical Economics
TOP: III.A. MSC: Analyzing
94. In regard to describing how the economy functions, Keynesian economists claim that:
a. more focus should be placed on the long run than the short run.
b. markets, especially prices, are able to change only slowly.
c. savings is crucial to growth.
d. the market tends toward stability and full employment.
e. the economy does not need help in moving back to full employment.
ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: Keynesian Economics
TOP: III.B. MSC: Remembering
95. If asked about the basic functioning of the economy, a Keynesian economist would state that:
a. markets, especially prices, are able to change quickly.
b. the market tends toward stability and full employment.
c. the market tends toward instability and cyclical unemployment.
d. savings is crucial to growth.
e. the long run is more important than the short run.
ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: Keynesian Economics
TOP: III.B. MSC: Remembering
96. Which of the following policy statements would a Keynesian economist tend to support?
a. The government should encourage savings as a means of promoting economic growth.
b. The government should never intervene in the economy.
c. The government should intervene in the economy to promote employment.
d. The government should intervene in the economy only when total output changes.
e. The government should focus on long-run supply, not demand.
ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: Keynesian Economics
TOP: III.B. MSC: Analyzing
97. Keynesian economists believe that more focus should be placed on aggregate demand than
aggregate supply because:
a. savings is a crucial part of economic growth and investment.
b. prices are flexible and allow the economy to quickly return to full employment.
c. governments can promote full employment by stimulating aggregate demand.
d. the long run is more important than the short run, and economic policy works only in the
long run.
e. the economy tends to be stable and at full employment.
ANS: C DIF: Difficult REF: Keynesian Economics
TOP: III.B. MSC: Analyzing
SHORT ANSWER
ANS:
The three different types of unemployment are frictional unemployment, structural unemployment,
and cyclical unemployment. Frictional unemployment is caused by time delays in matching
available jobs and workers. Structural unemployment is caused by changes in the industrial
makeup (structure) of the economy. Cyclical unemployment is caused by recessions or economic
downturns.
2. Why does the unemployment rate remain above 0% during economic expansions? Is this a good or
bad thing for the economy? Explain.
ANS:
Even during economic expansions structural and frictional unemployment exist. Frictional
unemployment is caused by time delays in matching available jobs and workers. Structural
unemployment is caused by changes in the industrial makeup (structure) of the economy. Both of
these types of unemployment are good for an advancing economy because they make the economy
more efficient and allow for growth in the long run.
DIF: Moderate REF: Employment TOP: II.A. MSC: Understanding
3. Joe Jones is running for governor of your home state. He has hired you to help him run his
campaign. Mr. Jones has decided to make his campaign slogan “Vote for Joe! I’ll make the
unemployment rate zero!” Would you advise Mr. Jones to use this slogan? Why or why not?
ANS:
Mr. Jones should not use this slogan. A proposal to make unemployment equal to zero is
essentially a proposal to stall the economy. An unemployment rate of zero indicates that there is
absolutely no structural or frictional unemployment. No structural unemployment means that the
economy is not advancing. Structural unemployment is good for the economy because it means
new technologies are taking the place of old technologies. No frictional unemployment means that
individuals and firms are not searching for the most efficient match between jobs and workers.
Frictional unemployment is good for the economy because it means that firms and individuals are
taking the time to ensure that open jobs are filled with the best-qualified and efficient workers.
ANS:
a. 7.7%
b. 247 million
ANS:
a. 175 million
b. 165 million
6. In NBC’s hit TV show 30 Rock, actor Dean Winters plays Dennis Duffy who works as a beeper
salesman in New York City. Because beepers are an old technology that has been taken over by
cell phones, Dennis loses his job.
a. What type of unemployment is Dennis experiencing?
b. What is something the government can do to limit this type of unemployment?
ANS:
a. Dennis is experiencing structural unemployment because his skills are no longer needed. The
economy is going through a structural change.
b. To help limit structural unemployment, the government can provide job training and/or
relocation subsidies.
7. Wes recently graduated from Penn State University and is in the process of finding a full-time job
to start his career. He is currently considered to be unemployed because he is actively seeking
employment.
a. What type of unemployment is Wes experiencing?
b. What is something the government can do to help limit this type of unemployment?
ANS:
a. Wes is experiencing frictional unemployment because there is a delay in matching his skills to a
job. Wes’s skills are needed, and there is a job available for him, he just needs to find the right one.
b. To help limit frictional unemployment, the government can provide information about job
openings and provide assistance in matching unemployed individuals looking for a job with jobs
available through job fairs or assigning unemployment specialists to groups of unemployed
persons.
DIF: Moderate
REF: Frictional Unemployment | Unemployment, Government Policies, and Incentives
TOP: II.A.2. | II.A.3. MSC: Applying
8. Give two examples of government regulations regarding hiring and firing that can contribute to
frictional unemployment.
ANS:
Government hiring regulations include restrictions on who can and must be interviewed,
paperwork that must be completed for new hires, and additional tax documents that must be filed
for employees. Regulations on firing include mandatory severance pay, written justification, and
government fines. And though these labor market regulations may be instituted to help workers by
giving them greater job security, they create unintended consequences. When there are restrictions
put in place to hiring employees, firms take longer to do so, which increases frictional
unemployment. If there are restrictions on firing employees, firms take greater care in hiring
employees, to ensure they get just the right ones. This longer search time also increases frictional
unemployment.
ANS:
Unemployment insurance can cause unemployment because these jobless benefits may increase
the time that a person spends searching for a job. Unemployment benefits can make it less
attractive to search for and take a job. Workers may spend more time unemployed when they have
insurance; without unemployment insurance, workers are much more motivated to seek immediate
employment, which reduces the time spent unemployed.
DIF: Moderate REF: Unemployment, Government Policies, and Incentives
TOP: II.A.3. MSC: Analyzing
10. Explain why Italy experiences higher rates of unemployment during normal economic times than
the United States does.
ANS:
The United States has relatively few labor market regulations. On the other hand, Italy has
especially stringent labor market regulations. For instance, if an Italian employer employs 11
workers, the employer must submit a health and safety assessment, outlining every possible health
and safety hazard, including stress. Even more stringent regulations apply for higher levels of
employment, including allowing unions and paying for full-time union employees. Thus, the
unemployment rate ends up being higher in Italy. Much of this can be attributed to frictional
unemployment as the result of labor market regulations. With more market regulations, firms are
hesitant to hire, which can lead to more time for the job-matching process.
11. Describe two different uses of GDP, or give two different reasons to explain why it might be useful
to calculate GDP.
ANS:
GDP is used to measure living standards. Countries with a higher level of GDP have a higher level
of income and a higher average standard of living. Changes in the value of real GDP over time are
used to measure economic growth, or the percent change in the real value of production.
DIF: Easy REF: Two Additional Uses of GDP Data TOP: II.B.2.
MSC: Remembering
12. If GDP is increasing, is the country necessarily producing a larger quantity of goods and services?
Explain.
ANS:
No, the country is not necessarily producing a larger quantity of goods and services. The country
could be producing the same amount of goods and services, but the average price level could be
rising. Thus, non-adjusted GDP rises, while real GDP falls.
DIF: Moderate REF: Two Additional Uses of GDP Data TOP: II.B.2.
MSC: Evaluating
13. Explain why real GDP is preferred to non-adjusted GDP as a measure of economic growth.
ANS:
Non-adjusted GDP can increase as a result of increases in price or quantity or both. It is possible to
produce the same amount of goods and services (or even a smaller amount), but at the same time
have prices increase so that non-adjusted GDP increases. In such a case, there has been no growth.
Real GDP is constant.
DIF: Moderate REF: Two Additional Uses of GDP Data TOP: II.B.2.
MSC: Applying
14. A country’s non-adjusted GDP has declined over the last year. Are the people in the country
necessarily worse off, on average? Please explain.
ANS:
The people are not necessarily worse off. If the price level has fallen, then in real terms, GDP
could have actually risen. If population has declined, then per capita GDP could have actually
increased. A third possibility is that people are working fewer hours and choosing to take more
leisure time. The reduction in work hours will reduce the value of GDP. The value of extra leisure
hours does not count in GDP.
DIF: Difficult REF: Two Additional Uses of GDP Data TOP: II.B.2.
MSC: Evaluating
ANS:
Inflation is an increase in the overall price level. One of the usual views is that the increase must be
sustained in the general price level to be considered inflation. Prices in general must be rising to
have inflation. Inflation can also be viewed as the inverse of purchasing power: the more prices are
rising, the less purchasing power. But if all prices, including wages (the price of labor) are rising,
then purchasing power is not affected.