1. If all persons had identical preferences and productivity
factors (ability, skill
level, education, experience, etc.),
the highest paying jobs would be the most
a. prestigious.
b. convenient.
c. undesirable.
d. easily learned.
2. Automated production methods are only attractive when
they
a. are undertaken in heavily unionized sectors
of the economy.
b. reduce per-unit costs.
c. replace workers.
d. decrease labor productivity.
3. Ceteris paribus, compared to a similar job offering
no fringe benefits, a job with
generous benefits will be likely to
pay
a. a lower wage rate.
b. a higher wage rate.
c. the same wage rate.
d. twice the wage rate of the job with offering
no fringe benefits.
4. Technological progress generally has the effect of
a. creating permanently higher levels of unemployment.
b. freeing resources that can now go to other uses.
c. lowering the national standard of living.
d. All of the above are correct.
5. Wages in the United States are higher than those in
India primarily because
a. the weather is better in the United States.
b. a larger proportion of the labor force is unionized
in the United States.
c. less capital per employee is required in the
United States.
d. the human and physical capital of American workers
exceeds that of their Indian
counterparts.
6. Economic theory suggests that the standard of living
of American workers would
rise if
a. the minimum wage were doubled.
b. automation were outlawed.
c. workers were forced to retire earlier.
d. technological improvements increased output
per worker-hour.
7. If the minimum wage is increased and the demand for
low-skill workers is
inelastic, then
a. the total wage payment to low-skill workers
will rise.
b. the employment of low-skill workers will decline
by a larger percent than the
increase in wage.
c. firms will substitute low-skill workers for
high-skill workers in order to keep
their average wage bill roughly constant.
d. the training opportunities available to low-skill
workers will improve.
8. The earnings of all employees in a competitive economy
would be equal if
a. all individuals were homogeneous.
b. all jobs were equally attractive.
c. workers were perfectly mobile among jobs.
d. All of the above would be necessary for equality
of earnings.
9. Economic theory suggests that college graduates receive
higher wages than those
with only a high school education
because
a. college graduates are more productive.
b. college graduates must be paid higher wages
because their educational costs
were higher.
c. college graduates have formed stronger unions.
d. the supply of high school graduates is small
relative to the demand for their
labor.
10. Which of the following is most likely to improve
the productivity of the labor
force?
a. investment in human capital
b. an increase in the minimum wage
c. an increase in the percent of the population
that is unionized
d. federal legislation mandating full employment