Weekly Review Quiz as of 2009-10-29 Economics: Macro

Inflation Emerges as a Worry for Germany by Dave Kansas 10/28/2009 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125668260099311471.html

1. Some economists are expecting a surprise rise in CPI for Germany because

* a) oil prices are 25% higher than one year ago. b) unions have recently been successful in getting wage increases. c) consumer goods prices are rising because of the recovery. d) consumer goods prices are rising because of the appreciating euro. e) consumer gods prices are rising because of the depreciating euro.

It's Fits and Starts for Housing Recovery by Mark Gongloff 10/23/2009 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125624840617402309.html

2. Economists warned not to make too much of the recent string of disappointing housing data because a) the economic recovery does not depend on housing. b) the economy is likely to recovery well before housing recovers. c) the housing data are inaccurate. d) rising interest rates and housing prices suggest that inventories are rising. * e) low mortgage rates and low prices have spurred a home buying bonanza.

False Reading: Brisk GDP Growth Can't Last by Mark Gongloff 10/29/2009 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125677153126114455.html

3. Once the U.S. economy recovers, the "new normal" GDP growth is likely to be _____ than the "old normal" because _____. a) higher; China's rapid growth will fuel rapid growth in the U.S. b) higher; housing is poised for a rapid recover c) higher; government spending will remain a source of stimulus * d) lower; the large amount of accumulated debt will have to be repaid e) lower; the Fed is likely to keep interest rates high to prevent inflation Slump Sinks Visa Program by Miriam Jordan 10/29/2009 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125677268735914549.html

4. The recession has _____ the ______for H-1B visas because ____.

* a) reduced; demand; it crimped demand in the technology sector b) reduced; demand; it crimped demand in the agricultural sector c) reduced; demand; would-be immigrants from India and China are finding fewer opportunities at home d) increased; supply; political pressure from technology firms to hire more foreign-born workers e) increased; supply; political pressure from the agricultural sector to hire more foreign-born workers

Globally, the Greenback Remains King by Nguyen Anh Thu, Darcy Crowe and Will Connors 10/29/2009 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125667861511511383.html

5. The dollar has _____ relative to other currencies ______. a) depreciated; mainly because it has been replaced by the euro in the underground economy b) depreciated; because the recession has boosted the demand for illegal drugs * c) depreciated; but remains the currency of choice in the underground economy d) appreciated; and remains the currency of choice in the underground economy e) appreciated; but is no longer the currency of choice in the underground economy