ECON 203 Midterm 2013W Fillippiadis

Concordia University, Department of Economics
ECON 203 Section C, Winter 2013

MIDTERM EXAMINATION, version 2
Name: __________________________________ E.Filippiadis
Student ID: _____________________________ February 28, 2013
Mark: ___________________/100 marks Time Limit: 75 minutes
Part I. Multiple Choice Questions. Circle the best answers (30 marks).

1. When the economy is experiencing a recessionary gap
a. the actual unemployment rate is below the natural rate of unemployment.
b. the actual unemployment rate is above the natural rate of unemployment.
c. the actual unemployment rate cannot be compared to the natural rate of unemployment.
d. None of the above.

2. Growth in GDP underestimated the growth in national well-being because
a. As a country gets richer, literacy level and health services tend to improve.
b. Investment such as stock purchase is not included in GDP.
c. As a country gets richer, job quality and leisure time tend to increase.
d. Both (a) and (c) are correct.

3. If nominal GDP grows by 7%, while the GDP deflator increases from 110 to 115.5 and population grows by 5%
per capita real GDP:
a. rises by 2%.
b. is unchanged.
c. falls by 2%.
d. falls by 3%.

4. Other things equal, an improvement in productivity will:
a. tend to increase the equilibrium price level.
b. shift the aggregate supply curve to the left.
c. shift the aggregate supply curve to the right.
d. shift the aggregate demand curve to the left.

5. With a GDP deflator of 240 and real GDP of $1.8 billion, nominal GDP must be:
a. $4.32 billion.
b. $5.26 billion.
c. $0.64 billion.
d. $3.91 billion.

6. A rise in the amount of desired consumption or investment expenditure associated with each level of national
income shifts the AE curve
a. down and shifts the AD curve to the right.
b. up and shifts the AD curve to the right.
c. down but no movement of the AD curve.
d. up and shifts the AD curve to the left.

7. If Y < AE, then inventory would
a. Increase and Y would increase.
b. Increase and Y would drop.
c. Decrease and Y would increase.
d. Decrease and Y would drop.

8. The deficit in the governments budget balance will increase when
a. The government decreases the net taxes.
b. The government increases its spending.
c. The economy enters a recession.
d. All of the above.
9. If the income rises from $40,000 to $60,000 and the net tax revenue for the government increase from $8,000 to
$10,000, then
a. t = 0.1 and T
0
= 4,000.
b. t = 0.2 and T
0
= 0.
c. t = 0.1 and T
0
= 0.
d. t = 0.2 and T
0
= 4,000.

10. In the Canadian economy the unemployment rate increased by 1.5% between years 2008 and 2009. Using
Okuns law this implies that
a. the actual GDP increased by 1.5% less than the potential GDP.
b. the actual GDP increased by 3% less than the potential GDP.
c. the actual GDP increased by 0.75% more than the potential GDP.
d. the actual GDP increased by 1.5% more than the potential GDP.

Part II: Algebraic questions. Answer all questions (Total=50 marks)

1. GDP measurement, Real GDP, Nominal GDP and GDP deflator
Consider the following table:
Item Amount Item Amount
Government purchases 320 Consumption expenditure 400
Wages paid to labor ??? Interest and rent income 50
Subsidies 20 Import payments 60
Indirect taxes 60 Depreciation 40
Export earnings 100 Net Investment expenditure 200
Profits 280 Farm and non-farm unincorporated business income 70

c. What is the formula for the GDP deflator?

a. Use the aggregate expenditure approach to find the value of GDP.

b. Given the GDP value you have found in (a), use the income approach to find the value of wages paid
to labor.

The table below reports the nominal GDP and the GDP deflator in the fictional economy of Utopia for
three consecutive years (base year is 2010):
2009 2010 2011 2012
nominal GDP 250 270 300
real GDP 244 260
deflator 98.36 104.17
d. Complete the missing values in the table above. Show your work. (round your numbers to the second
decimal place)

2. Aggregate expenditure and fiscal policy
Consider the following information for the economy of Euphoria:
C = 120 + 0.90(Y T)
T = 100+0.1Y
I = 180
G = 200
X = 100
Z = 0.21Y
c. What is the formula for finding the multiplier? What is the value of the multiplier in this case?

e. Using the information from the table calculate the yearly inflation rates. (round your numbers to the
second decimal place)
a. What is the equilibrium national income?

b. What are the equilibrium values of taxes, budget balance, and consumption?
Currently the potential GDP of Euphoria is Y
P
= 1,500. To stimulate the economy the government needs
to follow expansionary fiscal policy.

d. Find the change in the government spending necessary to bring the economy back to the potential

Part III: True or False. (Total=10 marks)

GDP.

e. Before imposing the policy suggested in (d) the public debt was $800. Find the Public Debt-to-GDP
ratios before and after the change in the governments fiscal policy.
Explain if the statements below are true or false. No explanation will get zero marks.
An increase in the budget deficit is an indicator that the government is following expansionary
fiscal policy.
At the point where the aggregate expenditure line crosses the 45 degree line, planned saving is
equal to zero.
Part IV: Comment on current events. (Total=10 marks)

Carefully read the following news excerpt and answer the questions below:

By Gordon Isfeld, Financial Post October 25, 2012
Canadas corporate leaders turn gloomy amid global uncertainty.
OTTAWA Canadian corporate leaders are pulling back on their business plans because of weak global economic
growth and uncertain demand, according to a Bank of Canada survey. In its autumn Business Outlook Survey, the
central bank said Monday that companies have tempered their expectations for business activity.

Firms are generally more circumspect about near-term investment decisions and are focusing on minimizing costs,
the bank said, adding that companies expect little change in the pace of sales growth over the next 12 months. The
balance of opinion on investment remains positive but has declined, as many firms report shifting their focus toward
more intensive use of existing capital over the near term. Hiring plans are also less widespread than indicated in
the banks previous survey.

a. Currently the Canadian economy is at its long-run equilibrium. Draw an AD/AS/LAS graph
depicting this characteristic.
b. How will the Canadian market be affected by the decision of corporate leaders to slow down
investment expenditure? Show the change in your graph of part (a) and explain what will happen
to Canadian GDP, price level, and unemployment rate.

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Concordia University, Department of Economics

ECON 203 Section C, Winter 2013

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