Principles of Macroeconomics 3e Chapter 1: Introduction to Economics

What is a key reason why economics is important to study?

To learn the secrets of financial markets and how to manipulate them
To gain a better understanding of government policies and their impact on the economy
To understand how individuals, families, businesses, and societies make decisions in the face of scarcity (correct)
To learn how to get rich quickly

Which of the following best describes the concept of scarcity in economics?

The unequal distribution of wealth and resources within a society
The limited availability of natural resources on Earth
The inability of people to afford the goods and services they desire
The fact that human wants for goods, services, and resources exceed what is available (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a key reason why the FRED website is useful for this economics course?

It allows students to better understand how the economy works through the analysis of real-world data
It includes data on nearly 400,000 domestic and international economic and social variables over time
It will be used often throughout the course to support the understanding of economic concepts
It provides a comprehensive overview of all economic theories and models used in the course (correct)

How has the rise of social media impacted the field of economics?

Social media has become a major force in the information superhighway, greatly impacting how economic information travels through society (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the concept of scarcity in economics?

Scarcity is a fundamental aspect of the human condition, where human wants and needs exceed the available resources to satisfy them (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a critical good or service that is subject to the concept of scarcity?

Basic necessities, such as food, water, shelter, and healthcare (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between real GDP and nominal GDP after the base year?

Real GDP is less than nominal GDP. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In which year would real GDP appear higher than nominal GDP?

Before 2012 (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does a negative real GDP growth rate indicate?

A decrease in production of goods and services (C) Signup and view all the answers

How is annualized GDP growth rate calculated?

By multiplying the quarterly growth rate by four (D) Signup and view all the answers

What impact does inflation have on real GDP?

Inflation reduces the value of real GDP (A) Signup and view all the answers

What would be the expected relationship between real and nominal GDP if dollars are worth less in later years compared to the base year?

Real GDP will be higher than nominal GDP (D) Signup and view all the answers

During which time period did the U.S. price level experience a more rapid increase?

From 1973 to the end of the 1970s (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which country had the highest inflation rate in 2020 among the mentioned countries?

United Kingdom (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which two countries experienced hyperinflation between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s?

Brazil and Russia (B) Signup and view all the answers

In which decade did China and Nigeria have high inflation rates?

The 1990s (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which country saw a significant decrease in inflation rates over the last two decades?

Brazil (D) Signup and view all the answers

At what inflation rate did the U.S. price level settle around in 2016?

~240% (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the overall unemployment rate and economic recessions?

The unemployment rate tends to increase during recessions and decrease during periods of economic growth. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the information provided, which statement about the long-term trend of the unemployment rate is most accurate?

The unemployment rate does not seem to have a consistent long-term trend, but rather fluctuates within a certain range. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How do unemployment rates compare between men and women according to the information provided?

Unemployment rates for men and women have been largely similar in recent decades. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which group experiences the highest unemployment rates based on the information provided?

The youngest age group (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical relationship between the unemployment rates of different racial and ethnic groups according to the information provided?

The unemployment rate for Black people is typically about twice as high as that for White people, while the rate for Hispanic people is in between. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the information provided, what can be inferred about the relationship between the unemployment rates of different groups during economic recessions?

The unemployment rates for all groups tend to rise and fall together. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason the U.S. unemployment rate typically looks better than the average in an international perspective?

The U.S. uses different definitions and survey tools to measure unemployment (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between labor markets in low-income countries and more developed countries?

Workers in low-income countries are not involved in the labor market through an employer who pays them regularly (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of cyclical unemployment according to the text?

The business cycle, like higher unemployment during a recession (D) Signup and view all the answers

In a labor market with flexible wages, what will happen at the equilibrium wage and quantity?

The number of people who want jobs (shown by S) will equal the number of jobs available (shown by D) (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of sticky wages in the labor market according to the text?

The number of those who want jobs (Qs) will be greater than the number of job openings (Qd) (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does unemployment represent in the supply-and-demand model of competitive and flexible labor markets?

Unemployment represents something of a puzzle (B) Signup and view all the answers