1. Which of the following is an example of an activity
generating a negative externality? a) You buy a new car, and then
discover it needs a new transmission. b) Jane enjoys canoeing on a
quiet mountain lake. c) The only two coffee shops in town conspire
to raise prices. d) After Jane bought health insurance, she began
racing motorcycles on the weekends. e) Your next-door neighbor mows
the lawn at 6AM.
Slide 3
1. Which of the following is an example of an activity
generating a negative externality? a) You buy a new car, and then
discover it needs a new transmission. b) Jane enjoys canoeing on a
quiet mountain lake. c) The only two coffee shops in town conspire
to raise prices. d) After Jane bought health insurance, she began
racing motorcycles on the weekends. e) Your next-door neighbor mows
the lawn at 6AM.
Slide 4
1. If the current amount of pollution emitted is 150, then: a)
This economy needs to increase production goods that generate
pollution. b) The marginal social benefit is greater than the
marginal social cost of pollution. c) This is not the socially
optimal level of pollution. d) This economy is producing at the
socially optimal level of pollution. e) Efficiency would be
improved by subsidizing goods that generate pollution.
Slide 5
1. If the current amount of pollution emitted is 150, then: a)
This economy needs to increase production goods that generate
pollution. b) The marginal social benefit is greater than the
marginal social cost of pollution. c) This is not the socially
optimal level of pollution. d) This economy is producing at the
socially optimal level of pollution. e) Efficiency would be
improved by subsidizing goods that generate pollution.
Slide 6
1. The socially optimal level of pollution emissions for this
economy is: a) 0. b) 50. c) 100. d) 150. e) 200.
Slide 7
1. The socially optimal level of pollution emissions for this
economy is: a) 0. b) 50. c) 100. d) 150. e) 200.
Slide 8
1. In the absence of government intervention, the quantity of
pollution will be: a) 20 tons. b) 30 tons. c) 40 tons. d) 45 tons.
e) 15 tons.
Slide 9
1. In the absence of government intervention, the quantity of
pollution will be: a) 20 tons. b) 30 tons. c) 40 tons. d) 45 tons.
e) 15 tons.
Slide 10
1. If this market produced _____ tons, then _____. a) 20; the
marginal social benefit would be $7 b) 45; marginal social cost
would be less than marginal social benefit c) 20; marginal social
benefit would be less than marginal social cost d) 30; it would be
efficient e) 15; the marginal social benefit would be $5
Slide 11
1. If this market produced _____ tons, then _____. a) 20; the
marginal social benefit would be $7 b) 45; marginal social cost
would be less than marginal social benefit c) 20; marginal social
benefit would be less than marginal social cost d) 30; it would be
efficient e) 15; the marginal social benefit would be $5
Slide 12
1. According to the Coase theorem, the private market can
achieve an efficient outcome: a) As long as the enforcement of
property rights costs less than the marginal benefit of emissions.
b) Only if the property right to clean air is assigned to the
polluter. c) Only if the property right to clean air is assigned to
the party harmed by pollution. d) If bargaining costs are low. e)
If the number of parties involved in the bargaining is large.
Slide 13
1. According to the Coase theorem, the private market can
achieve an efficient outcome: a) As long as the enforcement of
property rights costs less than the marginal benefit of emissions.
b) Only if the property right to clean air is assigned to the
polluter. c) Only if the property right to clean air is assigned to
the party harmed by pollution. d) If bargaining costs are low. e)
If the number of parties involved in the bargaining is large.
Slide 14
1. An optimal Pigouvian tax of _____ can move the market to the
socially optimal quantity of pollution. a) $5 b) $15 c) $25 d) $45
e) $10
Slide 15
1. An optimal Pigouvian tax of _____ can move the market to the
socially optimal quantity of pollution. a) $5 b) $15 c) $25 d) $45
e) $10
Slide 16
1. A Pigouvian tax of $10 will result in a quantity of
pollution for which the: a) Marginal social benefit is less than
the marginal social cost. b) Marginal social benefit exceeds the
marginal social cost. c) Marginal social benefit equals the
marginal social cost. d) Resources are allocated efficiently. e)
Social welfare has been maximized.
Slide 17
1. A Pigouvian tax of $10 will result in a quantity of
pollution for which the: a) Marginal social benefit is less than
the marginal social cost. b) Marginal social benefit exceeds the
marginal social cost. c) Marginal social benefit equals the
marginal social cost. d) Resources are allocated efficiently. e)
Social welfare has been maximized.
Slide 18
1. If the government imposed an environmental standard that did
not allow the quantity of pollution to exceed 40 tons, there would
be: a) A socially optimal quantity of pollution. b) Too little
pollution, because the marginal social benefit of pollution would
exceed the marginal social cost of pollution. c) Too much
pollution, because the marginal social cost of pollution would
exceed the marginal social benefit of pollution. d) Too little
pollution, because the marginal social cost of pollution would
exceed the marginal social benefit of pollution. e) Too much
pollution, because the marginal social benefit of pollution would
exceed the marginal social cost of pollution.
Slide 19
1. If the government imposed an environmental standard that did
not allow the quantity of pollution to exceed 40 tons, there would
be: a) A socially optimal quantity of pollution. b) Too little
pollution, because the marginal social benefit of pollution would
exceed the marginal social cost of pollution. c) Too much
pollution, because the marginal social cost of pollution would
exceed the marginal social benefit of pollution. d) Too little
pollution, because the marginal social cost of pollution would
exceed the marginal social benefit of pollution. e) Too much
pollution, because the marginal social benefit of pollution would
exceed the marginal social cost of pollution.
Slide 20
1. Three firms in a small city are responsible for emitting
pollution, and the marginal benefit of the individual polluters is
shown in the figure. If each company is only allowed to emit 300
tons of pollution per day, which company will be most adversely
affected? a) Firm A b) Firm B c) Firm C d) They are equally
affected. e) Firms B and C will be equally the most adversely
affected.
Slide 21
1. Three firms in a small city are responsible for emitting
pollution, and the marginal benefit of the individual polluters is
shown in the figure. If each company is only allowed to emit 300
tons of pollution per day, which company will be most adversely
affected? a) Firm A b) Firm B c) Firm C d) They are equally
affected. e) Firms B and C will be equally the most adversely
affected.
Slide 22
1. If the city imposes a tax of $400 per ton of mercury, Firm B
will produce _____ while Firm A will produce _____ than Firm C. a)
600 tons; 200 tons less b) 700 tons; 200 tons less c) 300 tons; 500
tons more d) 300 tons; 200 tons less e) 300 tons; 200 tons
more
Slide 23
1. If the city imposes a tax of $400 per ton of mercury, Firm B
will produce _____ while Firm A will produce _____ than Firm C. a)
600 tons; 200 tons less b) 700 tons; 200 tons less c) 300 tons; 500
tons more d) 300 tons; 200 tons less e) 300 tons; 200 tons
more
Slide 24
1. At what tax rate would Firm C produce zero tons of
pollution? a) $150 b) $100 c) $200 d) $400 e) $0
Slide 25
1. At what tax rate would Firm C produce zero tons of
pollution? a) $150 b) $100 c) $200 d) $400 e) $0
Slide 26
1. No individual is willing to pay for providing the efficient
level of a public good since the: a) Marginal cost of production is
zero. b) Good will be non-rival, and thus under consumed. c)
Individuals marginal benefit is less than the marginal social
benefit. d) Marginal benefit of allowing one more individual to
consume the good is zero. e) Good is non-excludable and
overconsumed.
Slide 27
1. No individual is willing to pay for providing the efficient
level of a public good since the: a) Marginal cost of production is
zero. b) Good will be non-rival, and thus under consumed. c)
Individuals marginal benefit is less than the marginal social
benefit. d) Marginal benefit of allowing one more individual to
consume the good is zero. e) Good is non-excludable and
overconsumed.
Slide 28
1. The table shows the total cost and total individual benefit
of animal control for residents of a small town. If there are 1,000
residents, what is the total social benefit of three animal control
officers? a) $10 b) $9,000 c) $10,000 d) $90,000 e) $90 Quantit y
of Animal Control Officers Total Cost Total Individ ual Benefit 0$0
120,00040 240,00070 360,00090 480,000100 5100,000105
Slide 29
1. The table shows the total cost and total individual benefit
of animal control for residents of a small town. If there are 1,000
residents, what is the total social benefit of three animal control
officers? a) $10 b) $9,000 c) $10,000 d) $90,000 e) $90 Quantit y
of Animal Control Officers Total Cost Total Individ ual Benefit 0$0
120,00040 240,00070 360,00090 480,000100 5100,000105
Slide 30
1. If there are 1,000 residents, what is the marginal social
benefit of the fourth animal control officer? a) $10 b) $9,000 c)
$10,000 d) $90,000 e) $100,000 Quantit y of Animal Control Officers
Total Cost Total Individ ual Benefit 0$0 120,00040 240,00070
360,00090 480,000100 5100,000105
Slide 31
1. If there are 1,000 residents, what is the marginal social
benefit of the fourth animal control officer? a) $10 b) $9,000 c)
$10,000 d) $90,000 e) $100,000 Quantit y of Animal Control Officers
Total Cost Total Individ ual Benefit 0$0 120,00040 240,00070
360,00090 480,000100 5100,000105
Slide 32
1. Assume that there is an external cost involved in the market
illustrated in the figure provided. Economists argue that in an
unregulated private market, _____ is produced. In the graph, supply
curve S 1 reflects _____ cost. a) Too little; private b) Too much;
private c) Too much; external d) Too little; the sum of external
and private e) Too much; the sum of external and private
Slide 33
1. Assume that there is an external cost involved in the market
illustrated in the figure provided. Economists argue that in an
unregulated private market, _____ is produced. In the graph, supply
curve S 1 reflects _____ cost. a) Too little; private b) Too much;
private c) Too much; external d) Too little; the sum of external
and private e) Too much; the sum of external and private
Slide 34
1. When the government intervenes to correct for the external
cost, the output will _____ from _____ to _____. a) Fall; W; R b)
Increase; W; R c) Fall; R; W d) Fall; W; 0 e) Fall; P 1 ; P 2
Slide 35
1. When the government intervenes to correct for the external
cost, the output will _____ from _____ to _____. a) Fall; W; R b)
Increase; W; R c) Fall; R; W d) Fall; W; 0 e) Fall; P 1 ; P 2
Slide 36
1. In the graph, the marginal social cost curve lies above the
supply curve: a) Because the marginal social benefit is greater for
a common resource. b) And the efficient quantity of this common
resource is point E. c) Because the marginal social cost includes
the cost of depleting this common resource. d) Because this is a
public good. e) Because this private good generates an external
benefit.
Slide 37
1. In the graph, the marginal social cost curve lies above the
supply curve: a) Because the marginal social benefit is greater for
a common resource. b) And the efficient quantity of this common
resource is point E. c) Because the marginal social cost includes
the cost of depleting this common resource. d) Because this is a
public good. e) Because this private good generates an external
benefit.
Slide 38
1. The graph above shows a natural monopoly. If the firm is
regulated such that zero economic profits are earned, what will be
the corresponding price and quantity? PriceQuantity a.ATC m QmQm
b.PrPr QrQr c.PmPm QmQm d.PcPc QcQc e.MCQcQc
Slide 39
1. The graph above shows a natural monopoly. If the firm is
regulated such that zero economic profits are earned, what will be
the corresponding price and quantity? PriceQuantity a.ATC m QmQm
b.PrPr QrQr c.PmPm QmQm d.PcPc QcQc e.MCQcQc
Slide 40
1. If the firm is regulated so that the outcome is socially
efficient, what will be the corresponding price and quantity?
PriceQuantity a.ATC m QmQm b.PrPr QrQr c.PmPm QmQm d.PcPc QcQc
e.MCQcQc
Slide 41
1. If the firm is regulated so that the outcome is socially
efficient, what will be the corresponding price and quantity?
PriceQuantity a.ATC m QmQm b.PrPr QrQr c.PmPm QmQm d.PcPc QcQc
e.MCQcQc
Slide 42
1. Which of the following identifies the area of deadweight
loss in this market? a) (P m P c )(Q c Q m ) b) (P m ATC m )(Q m )
c) (P m P r )(Q m ) d) (P r P c )(Q c Q r ) e) (P r P c )(Q r Q m
)
Slide 43
1. Which of the following identifies the area of deadweight
loss in this market? a) (P m P c )(Q c Q m ) b) (P m ATC m )(Q m )
c) (P m P r )(Q m ) d) (P r P c )(Q c Q r ) e) (P r P c )(Q r Q m
)
Slide 44
1. Suppose there is an unregulated natural monopoly operating
in the local market for electricity. If the government wished to
regulate the monopolist so that the firm earned zero economic
profit, the government would: a) Require the firm to produce the
level of output where the demand curve intersected the marginal
cost curve. b) Require the firm to produce the level of output
where the marginal revenue curve intersected the marginal cost
curve. c) Require the firm to set the price equal to marginal cost.
d) Require the firm to produce the level of output where the
marginal cost curve intersected the average total cost curve. e)
Require the firm to produce the level of output where the demand
curve intersected the average total cost curve.
Slide 45
1. Suppose there is an unregulated natural monopoly operating
in the local market for electricity. If the government wished to
regulate the monopolist so that the firm earned zero economic
profit, the government would: a) Require the firm to produce the
level of output where the demand curve intersected the marginal
cost curve. b) Require the firm to produce the level of output
where the marginal revenue curve intersected the marginal cost
curve. c) Require the firm to set the price equal to marginal cost.
d) Require the firm to produce the level of output where the
marginal cost curve intersected the average total cost curve. e)
Require the firm to produce the level of output where the demand
curve intersected the average total cost curve.
Slide 46
1. The government has decided to regulate a natural monopoly so
that the firm produces the perfectly competitive level of output.
Compared to the unregulated outcome, one negative consequence of
this decision is that: a) The firm will earn very high and unfair
economic profits. b) The firm will be encouraged to reduce output
and increase the price. c) The government may need to subsidize the
firms economic losses. d) Deadweight loss will increase. e)
Consumer surplus will fall.
Slide 47
1. The government has decided to regulate a natural monopoly so
that the firm produces the perfectly competitive level of output.
Compared to the unregulated outcome, one negative consequence of
this decision is that: a) The firm will earn very high and unfair
economic profits. b) The firm will be encouraged to reduce output
and increase the price. c) The government may need to subsidize the
firms economic losses. d) Deadweight loss will increase. e)
Consumer surplus will fall.
Slide 48
1. The government has decided to regulate a natural monopoly so
that the firm produces the break-even level of output. Compared to
the unregulated outcome, one positive consequence of this decision
is that: a) The firm will earn very high and unfair economic
profits. b) The firm will be encouraged to reduce output and
increase the price. c) The government may need to subsidize the
firms economic losses. d) Deadweight loss will decrease. e)
Consumer surplus will fall.
Slide 49
1. The government has decided to regulate a natural monopoly so
that the firm produces the break-even level of output. Compared to
the unregulated outcome, one positive consequence of this decision
is that: a) The firm will earn very high and unfair economic
profits. b) The firm will be encouraged to reduce output and
increase the price. c) The government may need to subsidize the
firms economic losses. d) Deadweight loss will decrease. e)
Consumer surplus will fall.
Slide 50
1. An example of a means-tested program is: a) Expenditure on
national defense. b) Social security payments to the disabled. c)
Social Security payments to those who have deceased spouses. d)
Purchasing a new city police car. e) The food stamp program.
Slide 51
1. An example of a means-tested program is: a) Expenditure on
national defense. b) Social security payments to the disabled. c)
Social Security payments to those who have deceased spouses. d)
Purchasing a new city police car. e) The food stamp program.
Slide 52
1. Which of the following transactions represents a transfer
payment? a) The government pays an employee by making a direct
transfer to the employees bank account. b) An army officer, paid by
the government, transfers part of the money he receives back to the
government to pay his taxes. c) A senior citizen receives a Social
Security payment. d) The Department of Defense purchases military
vehicles from General Motors. e) The government pays interest to
those who have purchased Treasury bonds.
Slide 53
1. Which of the following transactions represents a transfer
payment? a) The government pays an employee by making a direct
transfer to the employees bank account. b) An army officer, paid by
the government, transfers part of the money he receives back to the
government to pay his taxes. c) A senior citizen receives a Social
Security payment. d) The Department of Defense purchases military
vehicles from General Motors. e) The government pays interest to
those who have purchased Treasury bonds.
Slide 54
1. In Nation X, if the median household income in 2006 was
$48,000, this means that: a) The average income for a typical
household was $48,000. b) Poverty rates fell during this period. c)
Half of all households in Nation X earned less than $48,000 and
half of all households in Nation X earned more than $48,000. d)
Incomes in Nation X were rising. e) The top 10% of households in
Nation X earned more than $48,000 and the rest of the households
earned less than $48,000.
Slide 55
1. In Nation X, if the median household income in 2006 was
$48,000, this means that: a) The average income for a typical
household was $48,000. b) Poverty rates fell during this period. c)
Half of all households in Nation X earned less than $48,000 and
half of all households in Nation X earned more than $48,000. d)
Incomes in Nation X were rising. e) The top 10% of households in
Nation X earned more than $48,000 and the rest of the households
earned less than $48,000.
Slide 56
1. Welfare state programs are believed to create deadweight
loss since they: a) Impact governments budgets. b) Affect
incentives to work and to save in a society. c) Are supported by
many political parties. d) Are based on the ability-to-pay
principle. e) Lessen income inequality in a nation.
Slide 57
1. Welfare state programs are believed to create deadweight
loss since they: a) Impact governments budgets. b) Affect
incentives to work and to save in a society. c) Are supported by
many political parties. d) Are based on the ability-to-pay
principle. e) Lessen income inequality in a nation.
Slide 58
1. The mean household income is: a) The income of households
lying at the exact middle of the income distribution. b) The
average income across all households. c) The income level that
policy makers wish to achieve for all households on average. d)
Also the poverty threshold level. e) The income level that
separates the wealthy households from the poor households.
Slide 59
1. The mean household income is: a) The income of households
lying at the exact middle of the income distribution. b) The
average income across all households. c) The income level that
policy makers wish to achieve for all households on average. d)
Also the poverty threshold level. e) The income level that
separates the wealthy households from the poor households.
Slide 60
1. Means-tested programs: a) Provide benefits for all. b) Are
poverty programs that specifically help those with low incomes. c)
Provide benefits only for those households that earn below the mean
household income in the United States for a given year. d) Provide
only in-kind benefits. e) Benefit the wealthy at the expense of the
poor.
Slide 61
1. Means-tested programs: a) Provide benefits for all. b) Are
poverty programs that specifically help those with low incomes. c)
Provide benefits only for those households that earn below the mean
household income in the United States for a given year. d) Provide
only in-kind benefits. e) Benefit the wealthy at the expense of the
poor.