JAMB UTME - Economics - 2019
Question 1 Report
Consider the diagram below which shows a demand curve (d).
Total expenditure on a commodity is represented by the area TUVW. Consumer's surplus is represented by__________
Answer Details
Consumer's surplus is represented by the area above the demand curve and below the market price. In the diagram, this would be the area represented by VWX. Consumer's surplus measures the difference between the amount that consumers are willing to pay for a good and the amount they actually pay. In the diagram, consumers are willing to pay more for the good up to the market price, represented by the height of the demand curve. The area VWX represents the amount by which they are benefiting from the market, as they are paying less than they would be willing to pay. So, the answer to the question is the area VWX represents consumer's surplus.
Question 2 Report
The use of government income and expenditure instrument to regulate the economy is termed______
Answer Details
The use of government income and expenditure instrument to regulate the economy is called fiscal policy. Fiscal policy is a tool used by the government to influence the economy by changing the level and composition of government spending and taxation. The main aim of fiscal policy is to achieve macroeconomic objectives, such as controlling inflation, promoting economic growth and stability, and reducing unemployment. When the government increases its spending and/or reduces taxes, it injects more money into the economy, which can increase consumer spending and business investment. This can help to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and increase aggregate demand. On the other hand, when the government reduces its spending and/or increases taxes, it takes money out of the economy, which can help to cool down an overheating economy and reduce inflation. In summary, fiscal policy involves using government income (taxation) and expenditure (spending) to influence the economy and achieve macroeconomic objectives.
Question 4 Report
If AC and MC are represented on a graph, the MC curve will cut the AC curve_______
Answer Details
The MC (marginal cost) curve will cut the AC (average cost) curve at the minimum point on the AC curve. This is because the minimum point on the AC curve represents the lowest average cost of production, and the MC curve intersecting the AC curve at this point indicates that the marginal cost of producing one more unit is equal to the average cost. In other words, at the minimum point on the AC curve, any further increase in production would lead to an increase in the average cost.
Question 5 Report
The money market equilibrium is defined as_________
Answer Details
The money market equilibrium is defined as when the demand and supply of money are equal. In other words, the amount of money people want to hold (demand) is equal to the amount of money available (supply). Think of the money market as a marketplace where people buy and sell money. Just like any other market, when there is high demand for a product, its price (in this case, the interest rate) will increase. When there is low demand, the price (interest rate) will decrease. In the money market, the interest rate is a measure of the cost of borrowing money. If there is a high demand for money, people are willing to pay a higher interest rate to borrow it. This results in an increase in the interest rate. On the other hand, if there is low demand for money, people are not willing to pay a high interest rate, and the interest rate decreases. When the demand and supply of money are equal, the interest rate will be at the level where the quantity of money that people want to hold is equal to the amount of money available. This is the money market equilibrium.
Question 6 Report
The demand for labour is a________
Answer Details
The demand for labor is a "derived demand". This means that the demand for labor is not a direct demand for labor itself, but rather it is derived from the demand for goods and services that labor can produce. In other words, businesses hire workers because they need them to produce the goods and services that they sell. For example, if a business sells pizzas, it will need workers to make the pizzas, deliver the pizzas, and serve the customers. The demand for labor in this case is derived from the demand for pizzas. If the demand for pizzas increases, the demand for labor to produce and deliver the pizzas will also increase. Therefore, the demand for labor is closely tied to the demand for the goods and services that labor produces, and it is derived from that demand.
Question 7 Report
The oil boom between 1970 - 1980 caused the oil sector to become____________
Answer Details
The oil boom between 1970-1980 caused the oil sector to become the main source of government revenue. This is because during this time period, the demand for oil was high and the price of oil was high, which led to an increase in profits for oil companies and the countries that produced oil. As a result, the government received a significant portion of its revenue from the oil sector, which made it the main source of government funding. This allowed the government to fund various projects and initiatives, and also had a significant impact on the economy.
Question 8 Report
Whatever form an economic system may take, choice is essential for members of the community because resources are__________
Answer Details
Scarce. This means that there is not enough of a certain resource to meet the demand or needs of everyone in the community. As a result, choices have to be made about how to allocate these limited resources among different individuals, groups, or uses. When resources are scarce, it is important to make decisions about their use in the most efficient and effective way possible.
Question 9 Report
The release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment is_______
Answer Details
An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment. This can occur in a variety of ways, such as from an oil tanker that leaks or a pipeline that ruptures. The oil can contaminate the water and harm wildlife, as well as damage the natural environment and disrupt human activities such as fishing and tourism. It is important to take measures to prevent and clean up oil spills to minimize their impact on the environment and local communities.
Question 10 Report
An example of a market which approaches fairly near to perfection is____________
Answer Details
Question 11 Report
The average curve and the marginal curve are U-shaped in the short-run and flatter in the long-run due to________
Answer Details
The reason why the average curve and the marginal curve are U-shaped in the short-run and flatter in the long-run is due to economies of scale. Economies of scale refer to the cost advantages that firms experience as they increase their production output. In the short-run, firms are often operating at less than their optimal capacity and therefore may experience diseconomies of scale as they increase output, which leads to higher average costs and a U-shaped average curve. Meanwhile, the marginal cost curve intersects the average cost curve at its minimum point, which is why it is also U-shaped in the short-run. However, in the long-run, firms have more time to adjust their inputs and can increase the scale of their operations. As they do so, they can experience economies of scale, which lead to lower average costs and a flatter average curve. This means that the marginal cost curve intersects the average cost curve at a lower point than in the short-run, making it flatter. Overall, this illustrates how economies of scale can affect a firm's production costs and how this can be reflected in the shape of the average and marginal cost curves.
Question 12 Report
ECOWAS was formed for the purpose of________
Answer Details
ECOWAS, or the Economic Community of West African States, was formed for the purpose of promoting co-operation and integration among its member countries. This means that the organization was created to help the countries work together and coordinate their efforts in areas such as trade, politics, and development. The goal of ECOWAS is to promote economic and social progress in the region and improve the lives of the people living in West Africa.
Question 13 Report
A demand which gives rise to the reverse of the law of demand is__________
Question 14 Report
A supply curve slopes upwards from the left to the right indicating__________
Answer Details
A supply curve that slopes upwards from left to right indicates a positive slope. This means that as the price of a good or service increases, the quantity supplied by suppliers also increases. In other words, producers are willing to supply more of a good or service at higher prices. To understand why this is the case, think about it from the perspective of a supplier. If the price of a good or service goes up, it becomes more profitable for suppliers to produce and sell that good or service. As a result, suppliers are incentivized to increase their production in order to take advantage of the higher prices and earn more profits. This is why the quantity supplied by suppliers tends to increase as the price of a good or service increases. It's important to note that this explanation applies to the long run. In the short run, supply may be relatively fixed and a supply curve may be upward sloping or even backward sloping, indicating that the quantity supplied doesn't change much in response to changes in price. However, over the long run, suppliers have more time to adjust their production levels and the supply curve typically slopes upward.
Question 15 Report
External economies arises essentially from__________
Answer Details
External economies arise essentially from the localization of industry. External economies occur when an industry or group of firms in a specific geographical area experience benefits beyond what they could achieve individually. This can include access to specialized suppliers, a skilled labor force, and a larger market for their products or services. Localization of industry refers to the concentration of firms in a specific area. This can create a cluster of related industries and suppliers, allowing for easier collaboration, lower transportation costs, and increased efficiency. Government policies, such as subsidies or tax incentives, may encourage the localization of industries, but they do not create external economies themselves. Similarly, a firm's individual policies and the free transferability of shares do not create external economies as they are focused on the internal operations of the firm. Overall, external economies are a result of the benefits that arise from firms operating in close proximity to each other in a specific geographic location, which can lead to increased efficiency and productivity for all firms involved.
Question 16 Report
If the demand for a commodity is perfectly elastic, the incidence of a tax on that commodity will be, other things being equal, entirely on the_______
Answer Details
If the demand for a commodity is perfectly elastic, it means that even a small change in price will cause a significant change in the quantity demanded. In other words, consumers are very sensitive to changes in price, and if the price increases, they will simply buy another substitute product that is cheaper. Now, if a tax is imposed on this commodity, it will cause the price of the commodity to increase. Since the demand is perfectly elastic, consumers will not be willing to pay the higher price and will switch to substitute products. As a result, the entire incidence of the tax falls on the seller or producer of the commodity. This is because the higher price caused by the tax will result in a decrease in the quantity demanded, and the producer will have to reduce the price in order to sell the product. Therefore, the producer bears the entire burden of the tax. In summary, if the demand for a commodity is perfectly elastic, the incidence of a tax on that commodity will be entirely on the seller or producer, as consumers are very sensitive to price changes and will switch to substitute products if the price increases.
Question 18 Report
Use the following information given to answer this question
Total of all expenditure incurred during the year ₤ 80,000m
Indirect taxes on goods and services ₤ 8,000m
Capital consumption ₤ 6,000m
Gross national expenditure at factor cost is_________
Answer Details
Question 19 Report
Adam Smith's Theory of value stated that the value of a commodity depended on________
Answer Details
Adam Smith's theory of value stated that the value of a commodity depends on the amount of labour expended on its production. Smith believed that in a market economy, the value of a good or service is determined by the amount of work required to produce it. According to his theory, the more time and effort that goes into making a product, the more valuable it becomes. This idea is known as the "labour theory of value." In simple terms, the value of a product is determined by the effort and time put into making it. The more effort and time required, the more valuable the product is considered to be. This theory is considered to be one of the foundations of classical economics and is still widely studied and discussed today.
Question 20 Report
One of these is not a way by which government encourage industrialization?
Answer Details
Low productivity and inefficiency is not a way by which government encourages industrialization. In fact, it is the opposite. Encouraging industrialization means creating a favorable environment for businesses to grow and increase productivity. Low productivity and inefficiency hinder the growth of industries, making it difficult for the government to encourage industrialization. On the other hand, protection of infant industries, establishment of Nigeria Enterprises Promotion Decree, and establishment of higher institutions are ways by which the government can encourage industrialization. Protection of infant industries involves offering support and protection to new and growing businesses to help them establish and grow. The establishment of Nigeria Enterprises Promotion Decree provides support and incentives for local businesses to grow and expand. The establishment of higher institutions provides a well-educated workforce, which is essential for industrial growth and development.
Question 21 Report
Restrictive monetary policy is designed to curtail aggregate demand and to overcome________
Answer Details
Restrictive monetary policy is designed to overcome inflation. Inflation is when the overall price level in an economy is rising, and the value of money is decreasing. The central bank can use restrictive monetary policy to reduce the amount of money in circulation and decrease aggregate demand, which will in turn help to curb inflation. For example, the central bank may increase interest rates, which makes borrowing money more expensive and reduces consumer spending. It may also sell government bonds, which reduces the amount of money available in the banking system. This type of policy is called restrictive because it restricts or slows down the growth of the economy, which helps to control inflation.
Question 22 Report
When of the following matters may account for changes in supply?
I - technological advances in an industry
II - changes in labour costs
III - changes in source of supply
IV - changes in levels of taxation
Answer Details
All of the options listed - I, II, III, and IV - can contribute to changes in supply. Technological advances in an industry can increase the efficiency of production and lower costs, leading to an increase in supply. Changes in labor costs, such as an increase in wages, can make production more expensive, leading to a decrease in supply. Changes in the source of supply, such as a new supplier entering the market or a current supplier becoming unavailable, can also impact supply. Finally, changes in levels of taxation, such as an increase in taxes on production, can make production more expensive and lead to a decrease in supply. Therefore, all four options can impact changes in supply.
Question 23 Report
Effective demand for a commodity is desire for that commodity backed by_______
Answer Details
Effective demand for a commodity is the desire or want for that commodity backed by the ability and willingness to pay for it. This means that a person not only wants the commodity, but also has the means to purchase it and is willing to part with their money in exchange for it. For example, if someone wants to buy a new car but does not have the money to pay for it, their desire for the car is not effective demand. Similarly, if someone has the money but is not interested in buying a car, their willingness to pay is not effective demand. Effective demand requires both the desire for the commodity and the ability and willingness to pay for it. It is the combination of these two factors that drives the demand for goods and services in the economy.
Question 24 Report
In the short-run, the monopoly makes_______
Answer Details
In the short-run, a monopoly can make abnormal profit. Abnormal profit is a profit that is higher than the normal profit a company would make in a competitive market. This is because a monopoly has market power, meaning it has control over the price of its product and can set it higher than the market price, leading to higher profits. However, it's important to note that this situation is only temporary and in the long-run, competition and other factors can drive down prices and eliminate the abnormal profit.
Question 25 Report
A method of analysis that draws conclusions from data rather than general Principles already known is________
Answer Details
Inductive reasoning is a method of analysis that draws conclusions from data rather than general principles already known. In simple terms, inductive reasoning takes specific observations or pieces of evidence and uses them to form a general conclusion or pattern. For example, if you observe that every time it rains, the streets get wet, you can use inductive reasoning to conclude that rain causes the streets to get wet. In contrast, deductive reasoning starts with a general principle or premise and uses it to reach a specific conclusion. For example, if you know that all birds have feathers and you observe a creature with feathers, you can use deductive reasoning to conclude that it's a bird. Inductive reasoning is often used in scientific research, where data is collected and analyzed to form hypotheses or theories that can then be tested through further experimentation.
Question 26 Report
The arithmetic mean of 5, 8, 10, 15, 24 and 28 is_______
Answer Details
To find the arithmetic mean of a set of numbers, you need to add up all the numbers and divide the sum by the total number of numbers. In this case, we have six numbers, so we need to add them up and divide by 6. Adding up the numbers, we get: 5 + 8 + 10 + 15 + 24 + 28 = 90 Then, we divide the sum by the total number of numbers: 90 / 6 = 15 Therefore, the arithmetic mean of 5, 8, 10, 15, 24 and 28 is 15.
Question 27 Report
If wage rate is less than the average revenue product, the firms would be earning________
Answer Details
If the wage rate is less than the average revenue product (ARP), the firms would be earning a profit. The ARP is the amount of revenue generated by one unit of labor and is typically greater than the wage rate. If the firm is paying its workers less than the amount of revenue they generate, the firm will have extra revenue left over, which is a profit. So, in this situation, the firm would either be earning a normal profit or a super normal profit, depending on the size of the gap between the wage rate and the ARP. A normal profit is the minimum level of profit necessary for a firm to stay in business, while a super normal profit is a profit that is higher than the normal profit.
Question 28 Report
The purchasing power of money depends upon the__________
Answer Details
The purchasing power of money depends upon the "price level". Price level refers to the general level of prices for goods and services in an economy. When the price level increases, the purchasing power of money decreases because it can buy fewer goods and services. Conversely, when the price level decreases, the purchasing power of money increases because it can buy more goods and services. For example, if a cup of coffee costs $2 and the price level remains the same, then $10 can buy 5 cups of coffee. However, if the price of coffee increases to $3, then the purchasing power of $10 decreases and can now only buy 3 and 1/3 cups of coffee. So, the purchasing power of money depends on the price level, because the price level determines how much goods and services money can buy.
Question 29 Report
The term "Money at call and short notice" in a bank's assets represents the bank's loans to______
Answer Details
The term "Money at call and short notice" in a bank's assets represents the bank's loans to the money markets. Money at call and short notice refers to loans that the bank has made to other financial institutions or borrowers that can be quickly repaid upon request or on short notice, typically within 24 hours or less. These loans are typically used to finance short-term funding needs, such as meeting daily operational expenses or managing cash flows. The money markets are where short-term borrowing and lending takes place, typically for a period of less than a year. This includes activities such as interbank lending, commercial paper, and repurchase agreements. By providing loans to the money markets, banks are able to earn interest income while also helping to facilitate the flow of funds between borrowers and lenders. In summary, "Money at call and short notice" represents the bank's loans to the money markets, which are a key part of the financial system for short-term borrowing and lending.
Question 31 Report
Assume that, for a certain country in a given year, the index of import prices stands at 102, the index of export prices stands at 106. The terms of trade are (to the nearest whole number)
Answer Details
Question 32 Report
A retailer is distinguished by the nature of its sales, which is in___________
Answer Details
A retailer is distinguished by the nature of its sales, which is in units. Retailers sell products in small quantities directly to consumers for their personal or household use. They purchase products from wholesalers or manufacturers and sell them to the end-users at a markup. This type of retailing typically involves a physical store where customers can browse and purchase products, but it can also include online retailing. The focus of retailing is on selling individual units of products to the consumer, rather than selling in bulk to other businesses.
Question 33 Report
The demand curve facing the monopolist in the foreign market is__________
Question 34 Report
One of these is not a problem of agriculture___________
Answer Details
"Provision of employment" is not a problem of agriculture. It is actually a benefit of agriculture. Agriculture provides job opportunities for people, from farmers to food processing workers. The other three options listed are actual problems faced by the agriculture industry: - Lack of preservation and storage facilities can lead to food waste and loss of income for farmers. - Land tenure system refers to the rules and regulations governing who can use and own land. In many countries, the land tenure system is not favorable for small farmers and can limit their ability to produce food. - Poor transportation systems can make it difficult for farmers to get their products to market and for consumers to access fresh food.
Question 35 Report
When a member's currency is declared "scarce", it is the duty of the IMF to______
Answer Details
Question 36 Report
Whether a monopolist is able to increase his revenue by restricting his output depends on the shape of the_________
Answer Details
The shape of the demand curve determines whether a monopolist is able to increase their revenue by restricting output. A monopolist is the only seller in the market and has some control over the price of the good or service they provide. If the demand for their product is high, they can increase the price, and if they restrict the quantity of the product they supply, the price will go up even more. The demand curve shows the relationship between the price of a good and the quantity of it that consumers are willing and able to buy. If the demand curve is downward sloping, it means that as the price of the good increases, the quantity demanded decreases. This is because consumers will switch to cheaper alternatives when the price of the good goes up. So, if the monopolist restricts their output, the price will go up and they will make more profit as long as the demand curve remains downward sloping. However, if the demand curve becomes perfectly inelastic, meaning that the quantity demanded does not change with the price, then the monopolist will not be able to increase their revenue by restricting output. Therefore, in simple terms, the shape of the demand curve determines whether a monopolist can increase their revenue by restricting output.
Question 37 Report
Most of the National debts is "dead weight" in the sense that is____
Answer Details
Most of the national debt is "dead weight" in the sense that it is not covered by any real asset. This means that the debt is not backed up by any tangible property or valuable resource. Instead, it is simply a financial obligation that the government owes to its creditors, who have loaned the government money. The government must pay back this debt with interest, which can add up over time and become a burden on the economy. This type of debt is sometimes referred to as "dead weight" because it does not contribute to the growth or development of the economy, but instead represents a financial obligation that must be met.
Question 38 Report
Which of the following persons is engaged in "Secondary Production"?
I - a bricklayer
II - an automobile assembly-line worker
III - an accountant
IV - a cinema projectionist
Answer Details
Secondary production refers to the process of transforming raw materials into finished goods, typically in a factory setting. Out of the four options, only one involves transforming raw materials into finished goods in a factory setting, and that is option II, an automobile assembly-line worker. A bricklayer (option I) works in construction and is not involved in transforming raw materials into finished goods in a factory setting. An accountant (option III) works in the service sector and is not involved in producing goods. A cinema projectionist (option IV) is also not involved in producing goods but rather in providing a service. Therefore, the answer is option II, an automobile assembly-line worker.
Question 40 Report
The following are measures of location except________
Answer Details
The measure of location that is not a measure of location is "Range". A measure of location gives us an idea of where most of the values in a data set are concentrated. Arithmetic mean, Harmonic mean, and Geometric mean are all measures of location that give us a single value to represent the center of the data set. For example, the arithmetic mean is the sum of all the values divided by the number of values. The harmonic mean is the reciprocal of the arithmetic mean of the reciprocals of the data values. The geometric mean is the nth root of the product of n values. On the other hand, the range is a measure of spread, which gives us an idea of how spread out the values in a data set are. The range is simply the difference between the largest and smallest values in a data set.
