JAMB Economics Past Questions & Answers - Page 177

881.

In Nigeria, the huge public debt is as a result of

A.

Balanced budgeting

B.

Deficit budgeting

C.

Surplus budgeting

D.

Zero budgeting

Correct answer is B

A budget deficit typically occurs when expenditures exceeds revenue.

This is one of the major reasons for Nigeria huge debt profile. Government spends more than it generates in revenue.

882.

One of the functions of commercial banks is

A.

Maintaining stable price in the economy

B.

Regulating monetary policies

C.

Granting loans to customers

D.

Issuing bank notes and coins

Correct answer is C

The primary functions of a commercial bank are accepting deposits and also lending funds. Deposits are savings, current, or time deposits. Also, a commercial bank lends funds to its customers in the form of loans and advances, cash credit, overdraft and discounting of bills, etc.

883.

By buying treasury bills, the Central Bank of Nigeria intends to

A.

Increase money supply in the economy

B.

Reduce the cash reserve ratio for banks

C.

Reduce money supply in the economy

D.

Increase the capital base of commercial banks

Correct answer is C

By buying treasury bills, the Central Bank of Nigeria intends to reduce the excess money in circulation in the economy. When the CBN issue treasury bills, they are inviting the public to invest in debt security. This means people will buy the security for a maturity period of 0-3 months. 

By doing this, the excess money held by households is reduced. It is used to reduce money in supply and to control inflation.

884.

The function of money which makes division of labour possible is its 

A.

Unit of account

B.

Store of value

C.

Medium of exchange

D.

Standard of deferred payment

Correct answer is C

The most important function of money is that it serves as a medium of exchange. By serving as a convenient medium of exchange, money has made division of labour or specialization possible by being generally acceptable.

885.

A decrease in aggregate spending in an economy will ultimately lead to

A.

Boom

B.

Inflation

C.

Deflation

D.

Recession

Correct answer is C

A small downturn in consumer spending damages the economy. As it drops off, economic growth slows. Prices drop, creating deflation. If slow consumer spending continues, the economy contracts.

Deflation is the opposite of inflation. It means reduction or a fall in the general level of prices in an economy.