WAEC Economics Past Questions & Answers - Page 88

436.

Economic development may be hindered if there is

A.

A high pool of skilled labour

B.

A high rate of economic growth

C.

Political stability

D.

Rapid population growth

Correct answer is D

Limited resources and a larger population puts pressures on the resources that do exist. More people means more mouths to feed, more health care and education services to provide, and so forth. So, population can be a mixed bag.

437.

An increase in the price of a commodity from $10 to $ 15 leads to an increase in the quantity supplied from 10 units to 15 units. The price elasticity of supply is

A.

0

B.

0.5

C.

1

D.

5

Correct answer is C

The price elasticity of supply = % change in quantity supplied / % change in price. When calculating the price elasticity of supply, economists determine whether the quantity supplied of a good is elastic or inelastic.

change in price = 10 - 15 = 5
change in quantity = 10 - 15 = 5
5 ÷ 5 = 1

438.

Perfect knowledge of events in a perfect market will be made possible by the existence of

A.

Many buyers and sellers

B.

Homogeneous products

C.

Means of communication

D.

Large number of traders

Correct answer is A

In a perfectly competitive market, there are many buyers and many sellers. In fact, the number of buyers and sellers is effectively infinite. This alows for the free flow of information in the market.

439.

Which of the following best defines inflation?

A.

Cyclical increase in prices

B.

Periodic increase in prices

C.

Persistent increase in prices

D.

Occasional increase in prices

Correct answer is C

Inflation is the persistent increase in the prices of goods and services over time.

440.

Cyclical unemployment is one associated with

A.

Inadequate information

B.

Trade fluctuations

C.

Structural changes

D.

Seasonal changes

Correct answer is B

Cyclical unemployment is unemployment that results when the overall demand for goods and services in an economy cannot support full employment. Cyclical unemployment is when workers lose their jobs because of downturns in the business cycle.