.1 Multiple Choice Questions
1) Which of the following is the best definition of "profit?"
A) Total money taken in by a corporation
B) Increases in income from year to year
C) Increases in a corporation's stock price
D) Revenue generated by goods and services
E) Difference between revenues and expenses
Answer: E
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 4
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.1
2) This week, Abe's Muffler Shop had sales of $4000, employees were paid $1000, the cost of goods was $1500, and rent was $500. Profit for the week was
A) $3000.
B) $1000.
C) $4000.
D) $2500.
E) $500.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 4
Skill: Application
Objective: 1.1
3) How are provincial universities in Canada different from business firms?
A) They do not seek to make a profit.
B) They deal with people, not things.
C) Their organizational boundaries exclude business firms.
D) They do not produce goods or services.
E) They are more important to society than business firms.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 4
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.1
4) Examples of businesses include all of the following except
A) local supermarkets.
B) one-person businesses, like barbershops.
C) non-profit organizations.
D) large corporations like Canadian Pacific or Alcan Aluminum.
E) farms.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 4
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.1
5) ________ produce most of the goods and services consumed in Canada.
A) Businesses
B) Labour unions
C) Non-profit organizations
D) Canadian provincial governments
E) Charities
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 5
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.1
6) Not-for-profit organizations
A) are content with small profits, whereas business firms want large profits.
B) are more important than business firms in the Canadian economy.
C) use the funds from government grants or from the sale of goods or services to provide service to the public.
D) sell only services, not goods.
E) are not allowed to operate in the manufacturing sector.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 4
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.1
7) If two people exchange an apple, they each still have just one apple, but if they exchange ideas, they now each have two ideas. This is an illustration of
A) the importance of natural resources.
B) the principle of specialization of labour.
C) the difference between information and all the other factors of production.
D) the importance of profit in market economies.
E) the importance of government regulation.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 5
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
8) The key difference between economic systems is the different ways in which they manage
A) the factors of production.
B) the transportation of goods within their borders.
C) government rules and regulations.
D) the payment of workers.
E) the degree of competition that is allowed in various domestic industries.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 4-5
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.2
9) An economic system is
A) an agreement between countries that deals with free trade.
B) the way in which a nation allocates its resources among its citizens.
C) a government decree that requires certain goods and services to be provided.
D) a long-standing agreement between citizens and governments on how an economy is run.
E) a large government department that oversees how the economy is running.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 4-5
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.2
10) An exchange process between buyers and sellers of a particular good or service is known as
A) a market.
B) economic trade.
C) mercantilism.
D) supply utility.
E) bartering.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.2
11) What does a planned economy rely on a centralized government to do?
A) Support free enterprise in every way possible
B) Allocate all or most factors of production
C) Encourage citizens to buy shares of stock in small companies
D) Keep its control activities to a minimum
E) Direct workers to start their own small businesses
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 5
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.2
12) In a command economy, the central government
A) supports free enterprise in every way possible.
B) decides on the allocation of all or most factors of production.
C) encourages citizens to buy shares of stock in small companies rather than large ones.
D) keeps its control activities to a minimum so it doesn't interfere with business efficiency.
E) creates shortages on purpose in order to motivate businesses to be more efficient.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 5
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.2
13) In terms of factors of production, Imperial Oil's crude oil reserves are an example of ________, while market forecasts are an example of ________.
A) labour; entrepreneurs
B) information; labour
C) capital; information
D) natural resources; information
E) information; natural resources
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 4
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
14) When considering the factors of production, it is correct to say that
A) natural resources are evenly distributed across different countries.
B) they are managed differently in different countries.
C) capital is the most "unfair" factor of production.
D) entrepreneurs are a factor of production only in certain countries (e.g., China).
E) technology is the most important factor of production.
Answer: B
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 4
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.2
15) Entrepreneurs are important because they
A) make and spend lots of money.
B) are good at making decisions.
C) take risks to start new businesses.
D) are usually better managers than non-entrepreneurs.
E) sell shares of stock to investors.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 4
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
16) Elizabeth wants to set up a consulting business that specializes in advanced analytics. Which of the following factors of production would she require?
A) Capital
B) Labour
C) Information resources
D) Natural resources
E) All of these
Answer: E
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 4
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
17) "Embrace the opportunities and accept the risks" is a phrase that best characterizes the ________ attitude.
A) entrepreneurial
B) capitalist
C) communist
D) socialist
E) managerial
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 4
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
18) Something that would contribute directly to improving labour as a factor of production would be
A) finding new oil reserves.
B) better education for more of the population.
C) increasing the purchasing power of employees.
D) programs designed to decrease unemployment.
E) finding more efficient ways to produce products.
Answer: B
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 4
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
19) As a factor of production, labour includes
A) everyone in a business.
B) only non-unionized employees.
C) only unionized employees.
D) only lower-level managers, not upper-level managers.
E) only workers who do production work.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 4
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.2
20) Which of the following is correct with respect to the factors of production?
A) The "labour" factor recognizes that it is importance to have labour unions to offset the power of management.
B) "Capital" is a more important factor than "labour."
C) As the Canadian economy has become larger and more complex, the importance of entrepreneurs has declined.
D) Unlike land, labour, and capital, information can be shared without being diminished.
E) Human resources is an example of the "natural resources" factor.
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 4
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
21) Natural resources as a factor of production for mining are a practical consideration when a mining company considers
A) the ease with which ore could be mined.
B) the number of miners available to mine the ore.
C) the amount of capital required to build the mine.
D) the profit that can be made from mining the ore.
E) the number of customers who want to buy ore.
Answer: A
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 4
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
22) What is the difference between a command economy and a market economy?
A) A command economy is found only in communist countries, while a market economy is found only in capitalist countries.
B) A command economy is more efficient than a market economy.
C) A market economy gives greater "life satisfaction" to people.
D) A command economy relies on centralized government control of the factors of production, while in a market economy supply and demand determine production and allocation decisions.
E) There really are no significant differences between a command economy and a market economy.
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 5
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
23) What can we say about the dollar value of business-to-business (B2B) transactions compared to the dollar value of business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions?
A) B2B transactions have a lower dollar value because there are fewer businesses than there are consumers.
B) The dollar value of B2B transactions exceeds that of B2C transactions.
C) The dollar value of B2B transactions must equal the dollar value of B2C transactions.
D) It is not possible to determine whether the dollar value of B2B transactions is less than or more than the dollar value of B2C transactions because of industrial secrecy.
E) It is not possible to determine whether the dollar value of B2B transactions is less than or more than the dollar value of B2C transactions because of data limitations.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
24) The economic system in which producers and consumers control production and allocation decisions through supply and demand is called
A) a centrally planned economy.
B) privatization.
C) a market economy.
D) communism.
E) socialism.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.2
25) Which country has a command economy?
A) Australia
B) Japan
C) Canada
D) Germany
E) North Korea
Answer: E
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
26) Which of the following is correct in describing the communist economic system?
A) The centralized planning emphasis on capital equipment and military hardware has caused declines in the prices of consumer goods.
B) Government ownership of the means of production is only temporary.
C) Most government-operated enterprises are very efficient because of central planning.
D) Overall production expands rapidly because of central planning.
E) The government owns and operates all sources of production.
Answer: E
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
27) Stanislav lives in a country where all the factors of production are owned by the government. The economic system in his country is most likely
A) communism.
B) capitalism.
C) mixed market.
D) socialism.
E) It is not possible to tell with the information provided.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
28) John lives in a country where producers and consumers control production, and where allocation decisions are made through the mechanism of supply and demand. John lives in a country with a ________ economy.
A) privatized
B) socialist
C) communist
D) market
E) nationalized
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
29) A major drawback to communism as an economic system is that
A) government control of the factors of production is only temporary.
B) people don't like communism.
C) individuals contribute according to their ability.
D) individuals receive economic benefits according to their needs.
E) production of goods and services is inefficient because of the lack of a profit incentive.
Answer: E
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
30) Command economies are most likely to be found in
A) the newly emerging economies of southeast Asia.
B) communist and socialist nations.
C) western European countries.
D) Japan.
E) Canada and the United States.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
31) An economy that has a strong central government that controls labour, capital, and natural resources and has few entrepreneurs is a(n)
A) market economy.
B) command economy.
C) free-enterprise economy.
D) capitalist economy.
E) oligopolistic economy.
Answer: B
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.2
32) Communism and socialism are
A) basic forms of market economies.
B) becoming more popular.
C) extreme opposites.
D) basic forms of command economies.
E) identical forms.
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.2
33) Mexico allows producers and consumers to make production and allocation decisions through the mechanism of supply and demand. Such a system is called
A) socialism.
B) communism.
C) privatization.
D) nationalization.
E) a market economy.
Answer: E
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
34) Socialist economies may slow down economic growth because
A) management positions in state-controlled industries are often filled based on political considerations.
B) they have too few regulations concerning product safety.
C) they are found in countries where people don't have many skills.
D) they are usually found in countries with cold climates.
E) they encourage excessive unionization of employees.
Answer: A
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
35) An economic system that permits private ownership and control of small businesses but where the government controls large critical industries is known as
A) a mixed economy.
B) socialism.
C) communism.
D) capitalism.
E) mercantilism.
Answer: B
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.2
36) Which of the following is correct about?
A) There is a general consensus that command economies are more efficient than market economies because a centralized government can consider a wider range of economic factors when decisions are made.
B) In recent years, more and more countries have rejected communism and embraced more market-based economies.
C) Socialism is the most extensive command economic system because government owns all the major industries.
D) Support for a free market economy is strongest in North Korea.
E) All of these are correct.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
37) Socialism is best described as
A) a kind of command economy in which the government owns and operates all industries.
B) a kind of command economy in which the government owns and operates large critical industries.
C) an economy that is free from any regulation or planning.
D) a market economy in which markets decide what, when, and how much to produce.
E) an economic system with elements of a market economy, but not a planned economy.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
38) Market economies have all of the following characteristics, except that they
A) allow businesses to charge whatever they want for their products and services.
B) encourage entrepreneurship by offering profits as an incentive.
C) require government intervention in order to prosper.
D) rely on markets, not governments, to decide what, when, and for whom to produce.
E) allow customers free choice.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
39) Canada is home to a(n) ________ economy.
A) mixed market
B) oligopolistic
C) socialist
D) market
E) command
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 8
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.2
40) Market economies are considered beneficial for small businesses because they
A) provide small businesses with lots of government assistance and protection.
B) provide a central economic plan within which small businesses can easily prosper.
C) protect small businesses from the power of large corporations.
D) allow small businesses to fail.
E) allow the business to do whatever it wants as long as it doesn't break the law.
Answer: E
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
41) In which economic system will profit motivate entrepreneurs to use resources efficiently and to produce goods that consumers want?
A) A centrally planned economy
B) Communism
C) A market economy
D) Socialism
E) A barter economy
Answer: C
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 6
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.2
42) Jose is from Guatemala. He is unsure about the nature of business in Canada. You point out that a typical business in Canada operates in fundamentally the same way as a business in
A) the People's Republic of China.
B) Poland.
C) Peru.
D) England.
E) Japan.
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 7
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
43) Which of the following is correct with respect to input and output markets?
A) In the input market, firms supply goods and services in response to demand on the part of households.
B) In the output market, firms buy resources from households, which then supply those resources.
C) Consumer buying patterns provide information that helps companies decide which products to produce.
D) Consumers are restricted in the companies they can work for.
E) Input and output markets exist only in communist countries.
Answer: C
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 7-8
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
44) Which of the following is correct with respect to mixed market economies?
A) They have features that are not found in either command or market economies.
B) As a result of recent financial turmoil, there is a trend toward increased government regulation of business in mixed market economies.
C) Very few countries have this type of system.
D) There is a trend toward increased government ownership of business in mixed market economies.
E) The mixed market economy is the best type of economic system.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 8
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
45) The federal government sold the Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto to a group of entrepreneurs, which then set up the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. This sale is an example of
A) socialism.
B) freedom of choice.
C) entrepreneurship.
D) deregulation.
E) privatization.
Answer: E
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 8
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.2
46) The role of government in our economic system includes all of the following except
A) customers.
B) innovators.
C) competitors.
D) regulators.
E) taxation agents.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 9-11
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.3
47) Sandy is responsible for monitoring compliance with regulations in her company. She needs to know that the important areas of government regulation are
A) protecting competition and upholding environmental regulations.
B) protecting social goals, upholding environmental regulations, and protecting shareholder rights.
C) protecting competition, protecting consumers, and upholding environmental regulations.
D) protecting competition, protecting consumers, protecting social goals, and protecting the environment.
E) protecting shareholder rights, and following business law.
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 9-11
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.3
48) Which of the following statements is correct with regard to the Competition Act?
A) A company can cut prices in one region of Canada while selling at a higher price everywhere else even if this substantially lessens competition.
B) Businesses are generally satisfied that the Competition Bureau moves fairly quickly in approving or denying merger plans.
C) Pyramid selling is permitted as long as participant know they are involved in a pyramid selling scheme and they know they are not allowed to make windfall profits from the scheme.
D) The mere existence of a conspiracy is assumed to be proof that competition has been reduced.
E) All of these are correct.
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 9
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.3
49) Which of the following is correct regarding the Competition Act?
A) The Act prohibits agreements between companies that reduce competition.
B) The government must prove that agreements between companies actually reduce competition.
C) Recent changes to the Act have reduced fines for misleading marketing practices because it has been shown that these fines don't have any effect.
D) Surveys of business executives show that they think the Competition Bureau is quite quick in approving or denying merger requests.
E) All of the above
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 9
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.3
50) Why are sales taxes called regressive taxes?
A) Because food and drugs are often exempt
B) Because the more one makes, the lower the rate of sales tax that is applied to one's purchases
C) Because poorer people pay a higher percentage of their income than richer people
D) Because it applies to sales taxes
E) Because they discourage the purchase of some products
Answer: C
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 10
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.3
51) John has just received a rather large increase in salary, but he is upset because he feels that he should not be charged a higher rate of tax on this extra money. John is being taxed by a ________ tax system.
A) provincial
B) federal
C) progressive
D) restrictive
E) regressive
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 10
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.3
52) Which of the following is correct with respect to the issue of government taxation?
A) Progressive revenue taxes are harder on low-income people than on high-income people.
B) Revenue taxes are designed primarily to encourage people to buy certain kinds of goods and avoid buying other kinds.
C) Restrictive taxes prevent businesses from expanding.
D) Regressive revenue taxes are levied at the same rate regardless of a person's income.
E) All of the statements are correct.
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 10
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.3
53) The GST is considered a regressive tax because
A) food and drugs are often exempt.
B) the more a person makes, the lower the rate of sales tax applied to that person's purchase.
C) it is unfair.
D) poorer people pay a higher percentage of their income than richer people.
E) it is designed to discourage the purchase of certain products.
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 10
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.3
54) Incentive programs are designed to
A) encourage families to have more babies.
B) encourage businesses to locate in economically depressed parts of the country.
C) create "corporate welfare bums."
D) encourage families to move to depressed parts of the country.
E) reimburse businesses for making unprofitable but necessary products.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 10
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.3
55) Which law forbids most monopolies in Canada?
A) Consumer Protection Act
B) Lobbying Act
C) Fair Trade Act
D) Competition Act
E) Environmental Contaminants Act
Answer: D
Diff: 1 Type: MC Page Ref: 9
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.3
56) Nutrition labelling and claims are intended to provide consumers with information to aid them in the selection of a healthy diet aimed at reducing risk of premature illness and death due to diet-related chronic diseases. Insufficient labelling is a violation of which act?
A) Food and Drug Act
B) Weights and Measures Act
C) Advertising and Packaging Act
D) Textile Labelling Act
E) Consumer Protection Act
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 9
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.3
57) Which of the following statements is most correct with respect to government in its role as regulator?
A) Business complains that the Competition Bureau is too slow in approving or denying merger plans.
B) The government really has very little power in its role as regulator.
C) Because of the move toward deregulation, federal and provincial governments have become less and less involved in regulating business activity.
D) The main areas of government regulation of business are achieving social goals, protecting consumers, and providing assistance to small business firms.
E) Studies have shown that government regulation reduces the effectiveness of business firms.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 9
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.3
58) Which of the following is correct with regard to public-private partnerships?
A) These partnerships have resulted in windfall profits for the businesses that have gotten involved in them.
B) These partnerships have resulted in bad public relations for the businesses that have gotten involved in them.
C) These partnerships have created a monopoly situation for the businesses that have gotten involved in them.
D) These partnerships cost more money than the traditional approach (where the government puts up the money and then hires contractors to do the necessary work).
E) These partnerships have generally been failures in terms of the quality of service provided.
Answer: D
Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 11
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.3
59) When Labatt sales representatives gave money to store operators who agreed to not lower prices on some brands of beer, the company was prosecuted for engaging in
A) bait-and-switch advertising.
B) resale price maintenance.
C) a pyramid scheme.
D) selling mislabeled products.
E) a violation of the Beer Act.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 9
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.3
60) The three main ways in which business can influence government policy are
A) advertising, lobbyists, and trade associations.
B) political contributions, letters to the editors of newspapers, and advertising.
C) advertising, trade associations, and political contributions.
D) trade associations, lobbyists, and letters to the editors of newspapers.
E) lobbyists, political contributions, and advertising.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 11
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.3
61) The federal Lobbying Act requires lobbyists to
A) register with the Department of Consumer and Commercial Relations.
B) contribute a minimum of $10 000 to political campaigns.
C) attend at least two sessions in the House of Commons each year.
D) report on their communications with designated public office holders.
E) meet with members of Parliament on a regular basis.
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 11
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.3
62) Suppose that several microelectronics manufacturers want to set up a trade association. They need to know that trade associations can do all of the following except
A) allocate markets for their members.
B) influence the kind of legislation that is passed.
C) conduct training programs relevant to the industry.
D) arrange trade shows.
E) publish newsletters featuring articles on new products.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 11
Skill: Comprehension
Objective: 1.3
63) The price at which the quantity of goods demanded, and the quantity of goods supplied are equal is referred to as
A) the going rate.
B) the point-of-no-return price.
C) the equilibrium price.
D) the highest price.
E) the lowest price.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Type: MC Page Ref: 13
Skill: Knowledge
Objective: 1.4
