AP Microeconomics : AP Microeconomics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Microeconomics

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Example Questions

Example Question #67 : Perfectly Competitive Output Markets

An oligopolistic industry would most likely have

Possible Answers:

no barriers to entry

a large number of firms

price-taking behavior

substantial barriers to entry

one firm with no close rivals

Correct answer:

substantial barriers to entry

Explanation:

An oligopolistic industry is dominated by a small number of firms. Oligopolies are typically caused by significant barriers to entry, which enable a few firms to dominate the industry.

Example Question #68 : Perfectly Competitive Output Markets

The market for pizza is currently in equilibrium. If the demand for pizza increases and its supply decreases, what happens to the price and quantity of pizza?

Possible Answers:

Price and quantity both increase

Quantity increases but the change in price is ambiguous

Price and quantity both decrease

Price increases but the change in quantity is ambiguous

The change in price and quantity is ambiguous

Correct answer:

Price increases but the change in quantity is ambiguous

Explanation:

As its supply decreases and its demand increases, the price of pizza will definitely increase. However, the change in quantity is ambiguous and depends on which effect is stronger.

Example Question #69 : Perfectly Competitive Output Markets

Which of the following is an example of a public good?

Possible Answers:

A neighborhood park

A laptop

A truck

A movie theatre

Satellite TV

Correct answer:

A neighborhood park

Explanation:

A public good is non-rival, which means that one person's consumption of a good does not affect another person's consumption of the good, and non-excludable, which means that a person cannot be prevented from consuming the good. The only answer that is non-rival and non-exculdable is the neighborhood park.

Example Question #70 : Perfectly Competitive Output Markets

Which of the following is NOT a property of perfectly competitive markets?

Possible Answers:

There are a large number of firms in the market.

In the long run, firms are expected to earn no profits.

At market equilibrium, price is greater than marginal revenue.

The goods are nearly identical.

The barriers to entry are low.

Correct answer:

At market equilibrium, price is greater than marginal revenue.

Explanation:

When a a perfectly competitive market is in equilibrium, the marginal revenue curve is a horizontal line at the price level in contrast to monopolies, where the marginal revenue is below price.

All of the other answer choices are key characteristics of perfectly competitive markets.

Example Question #101 : Ap Microeconomics

Energy can be generated using either coal or natural gas as an input. If the supply of coal is interrupted, what are the most likely effects on the price and quantity of natural gas traded on the open market? Assume a perfectly competitive market with no government policy intervention.

Possible Answers:

Price decreases, Quantity decreases

Price increases, Quantity increases

Price increases, Quantity decreases

No change

Price decreases, Quantity increases

Correct answer:

Price increases, Quantity increases

Explanation:

Coal and natural gas are substitutes for each other based on the description given in the question. Therefore, an interruption in the supply of coal will lead to an increase in the demand for natural gas. This will increase both the price and quantity of natural gas.

Example Question #102 : Ap Microeconomics

Iron ore is an important input in steelmaking. If the cost of iron ore increases, what are the likely effects on the equilibrium price and quantity in the market for steel? Assume a perfectly competitive market.

Possible Answers:

No effect

Price decreases, Quantity increases

Price decreases, Quantity decreases

Price increases, Quantity decreases

Price increases, Quantity increases

Correct answer:

Price increases, Quantity decreases

Explanation:

An increase in the cost of iron ore will make steel production more expensive.

Because production costs increase, steelmakers will be less willing to produce steel at any given price. Therefore, the market price of steel will increase, and less steel will be traded on the market.

Example Question #103 : Ap Microeconomics

Which of the following scenarios will result in an increase in the market price for iron ore?

Possible Answers:

The completion of a rail network allows iron ore producers to significantly reduce the cost of transporting the product to market.

The wages paid to workers extracting iron ore increase, and at the same time a construction boom increases the demand for iron.

A significant new deposit of iron ore is discovered.

The cost of other building materials, such as lumber and concrete, falls.

The wages paid to workers extracting iron ore fall as a depressed construction market reduces the demand for iron.

Correct answer:

The wages paid to workers extracting iron ore increase, and at the same time a construction boom increases the demand for iron.

Explanation:

We need to choose the scenario that results in a higher equilibrium price. This will result from an increase in demand and a decrease in supply. Only one answer choice matches this scenario. The other choices create a lower equilibrium price or an ambiguous change.

Example Question #104 : Ap Microeconomics

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a perfectly competitive market?

Possible Answers:

Buyers and sellers do not incur transactions costs when trading on the market.

The quality and characteristics of a good or service do not vary between different suppliers.

Buyers and sellers have perfect information on the quality of the good or service exchanged.

Entry barriers limit the number of new firms that can enter the market.

Firms sell at a price point such that marginal cost equals marginal revenue.

Correct answer:

Entry barriers limit the number of new firms that can enter the market.

Explanation:

Perfectly competitive markets are characterized by their LACK of entry and exit barriers, which makes it easy for firms to enter or leave the market as conditions change.

Example Question #105 : Ap Microeconomics

Which of these actions most obviously produces a positive externality?

Possible Answers:

Remodeling your kitchen

Parking rusty, old cars on your front lawn

Cutting to the front of the line at the movies

Keeping your yard clean and maintained

Planting an herb garden in your private backyard

Correct answer:

Keeping your yard clean and maintained

Explanation:

Keeping your yard clean and maintained is a positive quality that residents and visitors in your neighborhood will also benefit from. Some of the other answers are also positive, but they only have a private benefits, not public ones.

Example Question #106 : Ap Microeconomics

Reference this chart for the question below:

Output

Total Cost ($)

1

10

2

15

3

19

4

24

5

30

6

38

7

49

If the market is perfectly competitive, and the market price of the good is $6, how many units should this supplier produce and sell on the market?

Possible Answers:

Cannot be determined

5

3

7

4

Correct answer:

5

Explanation:

Marginal revenue equals marginal cost at $6 for the 5th unit produced. Total revenue equals total cost at both the 4th and 5th unit, but this is not the determining factor.

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