| National Economics Test Results |
Here are the answers and the percent correct from three groups:
| Question and Answer | Gen. Public | H. S. Seniors |
College Seniors |
| % Correct | % Correct | % Correct | |
| 1. The best description of the purpose of the Federal Reserve is(A) The institution responsible for monetary policy/money supply |
46 | 38 | 58 |
| 2. What is the basic purpose of profits in our market economy?(B) Lead businesses to produce what consumers want. |
36 | 42 | 52 |
| 3. Who sets monetary policy in the United States?(D) Federal Reserve |
33 | 25 | 47 |
| 4. The prices of meat products in a competitive market are determined
by (C) Supply and demand. | 64 | 72 | 79 |
| 5. The purchasing power of people's incomes is most affected by (A) the inflation rate. |
60 | 53 | 81 |
| 6. Who makes fiscal policy in the United States?(A) President and Congress |
50 | 50 | 55 |
| 7. What is an example of fiscal policy?(C) Federal Income Tax Rate Change |
23 | 28 | 48 | 8. Which one of the following is most likely to improve the wages
of American workers? (B) An increase in productivity. |
68 | 69 | 77 |
| 9. What is the current national rate (percent) of civilian
unemployment? (B) 4% - 6%. |
22 | 10 | 26 |
| 10. Which one of the following is the most widely used measure
of inflation? (A) The Consumer Price Index. |
35 | 35 | 56 |
| 11. What is the current annual rate of inflation? (B) 2% - 3% |
11 | 4 | 12 |
| 12. What economic policy would most likely be used to combat a recession when inflation is low? (B) An increase in the money supply. |
21 | 17 | 42 |
| 13. Economic growth is measured by a positive change in which of the following? (C) The Gross Domestic Product. |
40 | 37 | 56 |
| 14. There is a deficit in the federal budget when: (A) Federal
government spending is greater than federal tax revenues. |
51 | 38 | 66 |
| 15. If the U.S. dollar increases in value, what will most likely be
the effect on U.S. exports of goods to other countries? (B) Exports would decrease. |
50 | 38 | 61 |
| Mean % Correct overall | 40.7% | 37.1% | 54.4% |
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