IBDP Economics SL – Macroeconomics- Demand management – monetary policy- Paper 1- Exam Style Practice Questions
Demand management – monetary policy- Paper 1
Exam Style Questions..
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Exam Style Question for Macroeconomics-Demand management - monetary policy Paper 1
Question
Evaluate the effectiveness of monetary policy in reducing an economy’s rate of unemployment.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answers may include:
- definitions of monetary policy, rate of unemployment
- diagram to show AD shifting to the right as a result of expansionary monetary policy
- explanation of how expansionary monetary policy may help to reduce cyclical (demand-deficient) unemployment in terms of the mechanisms by which lower interest rates increase AD via the effect on consumption, investment and/or net exports
- examples of expansionary monetary policy being used in practice
- synthesis or evaluation.
Question
Explain how expansionary monetary policy could be used to close a deflationary (recessionary) gap.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answers may include:
- definitions of monetary policy, expansionary monetary policy, deflationary gap
- diagrams to show a deflationary gap and how it would be closed by a shift of AD to the right and/or increasing money supply that leads to decrease in the interest rates
- explanation that by increasing the money supply/decreasing the interest rate the central bank stimulates consumption, investment and/or net export, leading to an increase in AD and return of the real GDP to its potential level
- examples of countries that have used expansionary monetary policy to close a deflationary gap.
Question
Evaluate the view that fiscal policy is the best way to reduce unemployment.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answers may include:
- definitions of fiscal policy, unemployment
- diagram to show how fiscal policy leads to a fall in unemployment
- explanation of how expansionary fiscal policy leads to a rise in AD and real GDP, leading to a fall in unemployment as more workers are needed in production
- examples of where fiscal policy has been used to reduce unemployment
- synthesis or evaluation.
Question
Using real-world examples, evaluate the effectiveness of monetary policy to achieve low inflation.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answers may include:
- Definition: inflation, monetary policy.
- Explanation: that it is incremental, easily changed, flexible, fast to implement, does not burden the government’s budget. That there are limitations: it is less effective when business/consumer confidence is low; effectiveness may depend on the type of inflation.
- Diagram: AD/AS diagram to illustrate contractionary monetary policy.
- Synthesis (evaluate): strengths and limitations of monetary policy in achieving low inflation. Fiscal policy might be considered as an alternative, but the emphasis of the response should be on monetary policy.
- Examples: real-world examples of where governments have attempted to lower inflation using monetary policy.
Question
Evaluate the effectiveness of monetary policy in reducing an economy’s rate of inflation.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answers may include:
- definitions of monetary policy, inflation
- diagram to show AD shifting left as a result of contractionary monetary policy
- explanation of how contractionary monetary policy may help to reduce demand-pull inflation in terms of the mechanisms by which higher interest rates reduce AD via the effect on consumption, investment and/or net exports
- examples of contractionary monetary policy being used in practice or examples of inflation targeting
- synthesis or evaluation.
Question
Evaluate the view that expansionary monetary policy is the most effective way to achieve economic growth.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answers may include:
- definitions of monetary policy, economic growth
- diagram to show the effect of expansionary monetary policy on economic growth
- explanation of expansionary monetary policy by reducing interest rates will increase consumption and investment, leading to a rise in aggregate demand and therefore economic growth
- examples of the impact of expansionary monetary policy on economic growth
- synthesis and evaluation.
Question
Evaluate the effectiveness of monetary policy in reducing an economy’s rate of unemployment.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answers may include:
- definitions of monetary policy, rate of unemployment
- diagram to show AD shifting to the right as a result of expansionary monetary policy
- explanation of how expansionary monetary policy may help to reduce cyclical (demand-deficient) unemployment in terms of the mechanisms by which lower interest rates increase AD via the effect on consumption, investment and/or net exports
- examples of expansionary monetary policy being used in practice
- synthesis or evaluation.
Question
Evaluate the effectiveness of monetary policy in reducing an economy’s rate of inflation.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answers may include:
- definitions of monetary policy, inflation
- diagram to show AD shifting left as a result of contractionary monetary policy
- explanation of how contractionary monetary policy may help to reduce demand-pull inflation in terms of the mechanisms by which higher interest rates reduce AD via the effect on consumption, investment and/or net exports
- examples of contractionary monetary policy being used in practice or examples of inflation targeting
- synthesis or evaluation.