ECON5002 Practice Final Exam - Solutions
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ECON5002
Practice Final Exam - Solutions
PART A:
1. In a closed economy where consumption is function of income and investment depends on the interest rate, autonomous spending is given as:
(a) c0 + I + G + c1T
(b) c0 - G + c1T
(c) c0 - c1T
(d) c0 + I + G - c1T
(e) c0 + G − clT
2. With the reserve ratio being 25%, a new deposit of ✩1000 in a single private bank will leave that bank in a position to lend out at most:
(a) ✩4000
(b) ✩3000
(c) ✩1000
(d) ✩750 (e) ✩250
3. Which of the following is likely to increase the natural rate of unemployment?
(a) a decrease in the minimum wage
(b) a decrease in unemployment benefits
(c) a decrease in firms’ market power
(d) an increase in the number of retired workers
(e) an increase in unemployment benefits
4. In a graph with saving on the vertical axis and output on the horizontal axis, the saving schedule intersects the vertical axis at -100 and intersects the horizontal axis at 500. In this case, the propensity to consume equals:
(a) -100
(b) 100
(c) 0.8
(d) 0.2 (e) 0.5
5. In a closed economy with no government, if investment —— the level of income, the slope of the demand schedule —— the marginal propensity to consume.
(a) varies with; equals
(b) is unrelated to; is greater than
(c) in unrelated to; is less than
(d) is unrelated to; equals
(e) varies with; is unrelated to
6. At the current level of output, suppose that the actual price level is less than the price level that individuals expect. We know that:
(a) any subsequent decrease in the aggregate price level will cause an increase in the real
money supply and a rightward shift in the aggregate demand curve
(b) output is currently less than the natural level of output
(c) the interest rate will tend to rise as the economy adjusts to this situation
(d) the nominal wage will tend to increase as individuals revise their expectations of the price level
(e) the AS curve will tend to shift up over time
7. Assume that the Phillips curve equation is represented by πt - πt-1 = (m + z) - αut. An increase in the unemployment rate will cause:
(a) an increase in the markup over labour costs
(b) a decrease in the inflation rate over time
(c) an increase in expected inflation
(d) a decrease in the markup over labour costs (e) an increase in the inflation rate over time
8. Suppose policy makers underestimate the natural rate of unemployment. In such situations, policy makers will likely implement policies that result in:
(a) a steadily decreasing inflation rate
(b) overly restrictive monetary and fiscal policy
(c) an unemployment rate that is too high
(d) more unemployment than necessary
(e) a higher inflation rate than necessary
9. Which of the following will likely result in a decrease in the steady-state level of capital per effective worker?
(a) an increase in the saving rate
(b) a decrease in the depreciation rate of capital
(c) an increase in the population growth rate
(d) a decrease in technological growth rate (e) an increase in total factor productivity
10. In the Solow model, a simultaneous increase in the saving rate and an increase in the depre- ciation rate will result in:
(a) an increase in capital per effective worker
(b) a decrease in capital per effective worker
(c) a decrease in the steady state growth of output per worker
(d) an increase in the steady state growth of output per worker
(e) an ambiguous effect on capital per effective worker
11. In an economy with population growth rate at gN , technology growth rate at gA and depre- ciation rate at δ. The change in capital per effective worker k is given by the equation:
(a) sf (k) + (δ + gA + gN )k
(b) sf (k) − (δ + gA + gN )k
(c) f (k) - (δ + gN )k
(d) f (k) - (δ + gA + gN )k (e) f (k) + (δ + gA + gN )k
12. If policymakers pass a budget that reduces the budget deficit. A deficit reduction package has a greater chance of increasing current output when:
(a) the policy features larger cuts today and smaller cuts in the future
(b) financial markets believe that the central bank will raise interest rates in the future (c) financial markets believe that taxes will not increase in the future
(d) financial markets believe that output will not increase in the future
(e) financial markets believe the central bank will lower interest rates in the
future
13. If the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the euro is ✩1.20 = ➾1 and the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the yen is ✩0.0125/➙, then the exchange rate between the euro and the yen is
(a) ➾1 = ➙80
(b) ➾1 = ➙96
(c) ➾1 = ➙0.0104
(d) ➙1 = ➾80 (e) ➙1 = ➾96
14. Suppose there is a real appreciation in favour of Australia. Which of the following must have occurred?
(a) foreign currency has become less expensive in Australian dollars
(b) foreign currency has become more expensive in Australian dollars
(c) foreign goods have become less expensive to Australians
(d) foreign goods have become more expensive to Australians
(e) the foreign price level has increased relative to the Australian price level
15. Which of the following events will cause the largest real depreciation for the domestic econ- omy?
(a) a 7% increase in P and a 7% decrease in P*
(b) a 3% increase in E and a 3% increase in P
(c) a 4% increase in E
(d) a 7% decrease in P and a 7% increase in P* (e) a 7% decrease in E and a 7% decrease in P*
16. According to the interest parity condition, if the US interest rate is 4% and the Australian interest rate is 9%, then it must be that:
(a) the U.S. dollar is expected to depreciate by 4% against the Australian dollar (b) the Australian dollar is expected to depreciate by 9% against the U.S. dollar (c) the Australian dollar is expected to appreciate by 5% against the U.S. dollar
(d) the U.S. dollar is expected to appreciate by 4% against the Australian dollar
(e) the Australian dollar is expected to depreciate by 5% against the U.S. dollar
17. Assume the Marshall-Lerner condition holds. Which of the following will cause an increase in net exports?
(a) a decrease in foreign output
(b) a real exchange rate depreciation
(c) an increase in investment
(d) an increase in government spending (e) a real exchange rate appreciation
18. In a flexible exchange rate regime, an expansionary monetary policy will cause:
(a) an appreciation of the domestic currency
(b) a downward shift in the IP curve
(c) a depreciation of domestic currency
(d) the IP curve to become horizontal (e) no change in the exchange rate
PART B:
1. Consider an open economy with a fixed exchange rate that is described by the following equations:
IS relation: Y = 300 - 500i - 200
LM relation: = 5Y - 2000i
Assume that the economy is small relative to the rest of the world such that the equilibrium interest rate is always fixed and is equal to the foreign interest rate i = i* = 4%. The fixed exchange rate is = 1.
(a) Solve for the equilibrium output Y and the equilibrium level of real money supply .
(3 points)
Given that the interest rate is fixed at i* = 4% and = 1, we can solve for output from the IS relation: Y = 300 - 500 × 0.04 - 200 × 1 = 80 .
Now using the LM relation, M* /P = 5Y - 2000i ÷ M* /P = 5 × 80 - 2000 × 0.04 ÷ M* /P = 320 .
(b) Suppose that the government changes the fixed exchange rate to = 1.1. Compute the
new level of equilibrium output Y . Provide an intuitive explanation of the change in output. (3 points)
Given that the interest rate is still fixed at i* = 4% and = 1.1, we can solve for output from the IS relation: Y = 300 - 500 × 0.04 - 200 × 1.1 = 60 .
The revaluation of the exchange rate by 10% resulted in a reduction in output. This is because the revaluation of the exchange rate makes the country’s exports relatively more expensive for foreigners thus reducing exports. Also, the revaluation makes for- eign products relatively less expensive for domestic consumers, thus increasing imports. Lower exports and higher imports both translate into lower domestic production.
(c) The government decides to offset the impact of the change in the exchange rate on out- put. Assume that the propensity to consume of 0.5 and a propensity to invest of 0.3 and that net exports do not respond to changes in output. Compute the change in government spending that can reverse the effect of the change exchange rate on output.
(3 points)
In order to reverse the effect of the change in the exchange rate output should be in- creased from 60 to 80, so ∆Y = 20. Given the propensities to consume and invest, the expenditure multiplier is 1/(1 - 0.5 - 0.3) = 5. Thus, government spending needs to change by ∆G = ∆Y = 4 to reverse the effect of the change in the exchange rate on output.
(d) What does the change in the exchange rate and the response of the government imply for the trade balance and the fiscal balance? (3 points)
The revaluation of the exchange rate thus implies a decrease in exports and an increase imports which translates into a deterioration in the trade balance. Furthermore, it implies a response from the government which increases spending also resulting in a deteriora- tion of the fiscal balance.
2. Consider the production function for a closed economy:
Y = 8K0.5 (AN)0.5
where Y is aggregate output, A is technology, K is capital stock and N is labour. Capital evolves according to Kt+1 = sYt + (1 - δ)Kt. Also, assume s = 0.3, labour force growth gN = 4%, technology growth gA = 5%, and depreciation δ0 = 3%.
(a) Compute the steady-state values of (i) capital stock per effective worker, (ii) output per
effective worker and (iii) consumption per effective worker. (3 points)
First, express the production function in units of effective worker:
= = 8 ╱ 、0.5 ÷ y = 8k0.5
Second, the evolution of capital in units of effective worker is:
= s + (1 - δ) ÷ kt+1 ≈ syt + (1 - δ - gN - gA )kt
In steady state, kt+1 = kt = k* and so,
k* = s(8k*0.5 )+(1-0.03-0.04-0.05)k* ÷ 0.12k* = 0.3×8k*0.5 ÷ k*0.5 = 20 ÷ k* = 400
Output per effective worker is:
y* = 8k*0.5 = 8 × (400)0 .5 = 160
Consumption per effective worker is:
c* = (1 - s)y* = (1 - 0.3) * 160 = 112
(b) Compute the steady-state values (i) the growth rate of output per effective worker, (ii)
the growth rate of output per worker, and (iii) the growth rate of output. (2 points)
In steady state, we know that output per effective worker is constant and so its growth rate is zero, output per worker grows at the rate gA = 5% and output grows at the rate gA + gN = 0.09 .
Assume the economy is initially in its balanced growth state. Suppose the capital depreciation rate increases to δ 1 = 7%.
(c) Compute the new steady-state values of (i) capital stock per effective worker, (ii) output per effective worker and (iii) consumption per effective worker. (3 points)
In steady state, kt+1 = kt = k* and so,
k* = s(8k*0.5 )+(1-0.07-0.04-0.05)k* ÷ 0.16k* = 0.3×8k*0.5 ÷ k*0.5 = 15 ÷ k* = 225
Output per effective worker is:
y* = 8k*0.5 = 8 × (225)0 .5 = 120
Consumption per effective worker is:
c* = (1 - s)y* = (1 - 0.3) * 160 = 84
(d) Draw a carefully-labelled diagram to illustrate the effect of the change in the deprecia- tion rate on the economy in the long run. (3 points)
δ 1 + gN + gA
δ0 + gN + gA
Output: y = 8k0 .5
160
Investment: sy = 8sk0 .5
k
225 400
(e) Explain how the change in the depreciation rate affects capital and output per unit of
effective worker in the short run and long run. (3 points)
In the short run, capital per effective worker and output per effective worker will both start falling as depreciation rises. This will continue unit both variables reach the new steady state where capital per effective worker and output per effective worker are both permanently lower.
3. Consider an open economy IS-LM model. Assume that that the interest parity condition holds and that the expected future exchange rate and the foreign interest rate are fixed.
Suppose initially that the exchange rate is flexible.
(a) With the help of an IS-LM-IP diagram, explain the effects of an expansionary fiscal pol-
icy on domestic output, the interest rate, the exchange rate and net exports. (3 points)
An expansionary fiscal policy shifts the IS curve to the right resulting in an increase in output and an increase in the interest rate. The higher interest rate will imply an appre- ciation of the exchange rate. This makes the country’s exports relatively more expensive for foreigners thus reducing exports. Also, the appreciation makes foreign products rel- atively less expensive for domestic consumers, thus increasing imports. Lower exports and higher imports both translate into lower domestic production. As such, net exports will fall and so the fiscal deficit translated into a trade deficit.
YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PLOT THIS IN AN IS-LM-IP DIAGRAM.
(b) With the help of an IS-LM-IP diagram, explain the effects of a contractionary monetary
policy on domestic output, the interest rate, the exchange rate and net exports. (3 points)
An increase in the interest rate to requires open market operations by the central bank to shift the LM curve to the left. Because money does not directly enter the IS relation, the IS curve does not shift. The increase in the interest rate leads to a fall in output and an appreciation of the exchange rate. The appreciation makes foreign products relatively less expensive for domestic consumers, thus increasing imports. Lower exports and higher imports both translate into lower domestic production. As such, net exports will fall and so the fiscal deficit translated into a trade deficit.
YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PLOT THIS IN AN IS-LM-IP DIAGRAM
Now suppose the exchange rate is fixed at E = .
(c) With the help of an IS-LM-IP diagram, explain the effects of an expansionary fiscal pol- icy on domestic output, the interest rate, the exchange rate and net exports. (3 points)
An expansionary fiscal policy shifts the IS curve to the right resulting in an increase in output and an increase in the interest rate. The higher interest rate will put upward pressure on the exchange rate. But, under a fixed exchange rate regime and given the interest parity condition, the economy must maintain an interest rate equal to the foreign interest rate. The central bank would thus increase money supply to respond to the up- ward pressures, bringing back the interest rate to its original value and expanding output further.
YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PLOT THIS IN AN IS-LM-IP DIAGRAM
(d) With the help of an IS-LM-IP diagram, explain the effects of a contractionary monetary policy on domestic output, the interest rate, the exchange rate and net exports. (3 points)
The decrease in money supply shifts the LM curve to the right thus increasing the do- mestic interest rate. This increases the rate of return on domestic assets above the rate of return on similar assets in the foreign economy. Thus, international investors will begin to demand more of the domestic currency which would put upward pressure on the exchange rate. However, because the economy maintains a fixed exchange rate, the ex- cess demand for domestic currency will be relieved by intervention from the central bank which will increase the supply by domestic currency, thus shifting back the LM curve to its initial position and equilibrium is back at the initial point.
YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PLOT THIS IN AN IS-LM-IP DIAGRAM
(e) Explain how the exchange rate regime affects the conclusion in the effectiveness of mon-
etary and fiscal policies. (4 points)
Under fixed exchange rates and the interest parity condition, a country must maintain an interest rate equal to the foreign interest rate. The central bank loses the use of monetary policy as a policy instrument. Fiscal policy becomes more powerful under fixed exchange rate than under flexible exchange rates.
2022-06-01