WAEC Economics Past Questions & Answers - Page 101

501.

Balance of payments problem can be corrected through

A.

Increasing foreign reserves

B.

Increasing domestic borrowing

C.

Import promotion strategies

D.

Export promotion strategies

Correct answer is D

Balance of payment problems can be corrected by Export Promotion strategy. This strategies are aimed at promoting the industries that have potential for developing and competing with foreign rivals.  

502.

Which of the following is true about import substitution? It

A.

Helps in increasing exportation

B.

Is meant to reduce exportation

C.

Enables a country to curtail importation

D.

Enables a country to improve on importation

Correct answer is C

Import substitution is a policy advocating for replacing foreign imports with domestic production. It is aimed at reducing the importation of foreign goods.

503.

When there is improvement in a country's terms of trade, it means that the country's

A.

Exports are cheaper relative to imports

B.

Imports are cheaper relative to exports

C.

Volume of imports has declined

D.

Volume of exports has declined

Correct answer is B

Terms of trade (TOT) represent the ratio between a country's export prices and its import prices. If a country's terms of trade improve, it means that for every unit of exports sold it can buy more units of imported goods. 

504.

Which of the following will not retard economic development in West Africa?

A.

Dependence on imports

B.

Population control

C.

High level of illiteracy

D.

Low level of savings

Correct answer is B

Population growth directly triggers higher demand for provision of various aspects of human existence including food, healthcare, housing, jobs, infrastructure, access to resources and many other issues. With Population control, resources can be fairly and equitably distributed to individuals. 

505.

An excise tax is imposed on goods

A.

Smuggled into the country

B.

Manufactured locally

C.

Imported into the country 

D.

Seized by custom officials

Correct answer is B

Excise taxes are internal taxes that are levied on the sale of specific goods and services, such as alcohol, fuel and tobacco. These goods are goods that are manufactured in the country. It is an indirect tax that is not paid by the customers directly instead, the excise tax is imposed on the supplier or the producer, who then includes it in the product price.