Problem Set 1

1) Use the information in the table below to answer the following questions.

(a) Does either country have an absolute advantage in the production of wheat or beef? Explain. (b) What is the opportunity cost of wheat in each country? (c) What is the opportunity cost of beef in each country? (d) Analyze comparative advantage and opportunities for trade between the U.S. and Argentina. (e) Suppose that each country has 100 units of labor. Draw the world relative supply curve for beef.

The Concept of Comparative Advantage

1) Trade between two countries can benefit both countries if A) each country exports that good in which it has a comparative advantage. B) each country enjoys superior terms of trade. C) each country has a more elastic demand for the imported goods. D) each country has a more elastic supply for the exported goods. E) each country produces a wide range of goods for export.

2) A country engaging in trade according to the principles of comparative advantage gains from trade because it A) is producing exports indirectly more efficiently than it could alternatively. B) is producing imports indirectly more efficiently than it could domestically. C) is producing exports using fewer labor units. D) is producing imports indirectly using fewer labor units. E) is producing exports while outsourcing services.

3) The earliest statement of the principle of comparative advantage is associated with A) David Hume. B) David Ricardo. C) Adam Smith. D) Eli Heckscher. E) Bertil Ohlin.

4) The Ricardian model attributes the gains from trade associated with the principle of comparative advantage result to A) differences in technology. B) differences in preferences. C) differences in labor productivity. D) differences in resources. E) gravity relationships among countries.

5) The Ricardian model demonstrates that A) trade between two countries will benefit both countries. B) trade between two countries may benefit both regardless of which good each exports. C) trade between two countries may benefit both if each exports the product in which it has a comparative advantage. D) trade between two countries may benefit one but harm the other. E) trade between two countries always benefits the country with a larger labor force.

6) In the Ricardian model, comparative advantage is likely to be due to A) scale economies. B) home product taste bias. C) greater capital availability per worker. D) labor productivity differences. E) political pressure.

7) In a two-country, two-product world, the statement "Germany enjoys a comparative advantage over France in autos relative to ships" is equivalent to A) France having a comparative advantage over Germany in ships. B) France having a comparative disadvantage compared to Germany in autos and ships. C) Germany having a comparative advantage over France in autos and ships. D) France having no comparative advantage over Germany. E) France should produce autos.

Trade in a One-Factor World 1) In order to know whether a country has a comparative advantage in the production of one particular product we need information on at least ________ unit labor requirements. A) one B) two C) three D) four E) five

2) Given the information in the table above A) neither country has a comparative advantage in cloth. B) Home has a comparative advantage in cloth. C) Foreign has a comparative advantage in cloth. D) Home has a comparative advantage in both cloth and widgets. E) neither country has a comparative advantage in widgets.

3) Given the information in the table, if it is ascertained that Foreign uses prison-slave labor to produce its exports, then home should A) export cloth. B) export widgets. C) export both and import nothing. D) export and import nothing. E) export widgets and import cloth.

4) Given the information in the table above, if the Home economy suffered a meltdown, and the Unit Labor Requirements doubled to 20 for cloth and 40 for widgets then home should A) export cloth. B) export widgets. C) export both and import nothing. D) export and import nothing. E) export widgets and import cloth.

5) Given the information in the table above, if wages were to double in Home, then Home should A) export cloth. B) export widgets. C) export both and import nothing. D) export and import nothing. E) export widgets and import cloth.

6) Given the information in the table above A) neither country has a comparative advantage in cloth. B) Home has a comparative advantage in widgets. C) Foreign has a comparative advantage in widgets. D) Home has a comparative advantage in both cloth and widgets. E) neither country has a comparative advantage in widgets.

7) Given the information in the table above, Home's opportunity cost of cloth is A) 0.5. B) 2.0. C) 6.0. D) 1.5. E) 3.0.

8) Given the information in the table above, Home's opportunity cost of widgets is A) 0.5. B) 2.0. C) 6.0. D) 1.5. E) 3.0.

9) Given the information in the table above, Foreign's opportunity cost of cloth is A) 0.5. B) 2.0. C) 6.0. D) 1.5. E) 3.0.

10) Given the information in the table above, Foreign's opportunity cost of widgets is A) 0.5. B) 2.0. C) 6.0. D) 1.5. E) 3.0.

11) Given the information in the table above, if the world equilibrium price of widgets were 4 cloth, then A) both countries could benefit from trade with each other. B) neither country could benefit from trade with each other. C) each country will want to export the good in which it enjoys comparative advantage. D) neither country will want to export the good in which it enjoys comparative advantage. E) both countries will want to specialize in cloth.

12) Given the information in the table above, if the world equilibrium price of widgets were 40 cloths, then A) both countries could benefit from trade with each other. B) neither country could benefit from trade with each other. C) each country will want to export the good in which it enjoys comparative advantage. D) neither country will want to export the good in which it enjoys comparative advantage. E) both countries will want to specialize in cloth.

13) In a two-product, two-country world, international trade can lead to increases in A) consumer welfare only if output of both products is increased. B) output of both products and consumer welfare in both countries. C) total production of both products but not consumer welfare in both countries. D) consumer welfare in both countries but not total production of both products. E) prices of both goods in both countries.

13) In a two-product, two-country world, international trade can lead to increases in A) consumer welfare only if output of both products is increased. B) output of both products and consumer welfare in both countries. C) total production of both products but not consumer welfare in both countries. D) consumer welfare in both countries but not total production of both products. E) prices of both goods in both countries.

15) According to Ricardo, a country will have a comparative advantage in the product in which its A) labor productivity is relatively low. B) labor productivity is relatively high. C) labor mobility is relatively low. D) labor mobility is relatively high. E) labor is outsourced to neighboring countries.

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