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Supply - short answer

question

Question 1

The table below represents the market for computers. For each of the changes given, tick the relevant column to show whether the supply curve has shifted either left or right or whether there has been an extension or contraction of supply (a move along the supply curve).

Change Shift right Shift left Extension in supply Contraction in supply
There is an increase in real incomes



A surplus of memory on world markets leads to a significant price fall for memory chips



New capital equipment enables computer producers to build machines cheaper



Labour costs for manufacture increase



There is agreement by G8 countries to put a tax on computers



Rapid growth in the developing world means increased demand for computers



The development of TV-based interactive internet services





Question 2

s_left

Supply curve shifting left

If the above supply curve is the supply curve for energy saving light bulbs, which of the following events may have caused the shift shown?

(a) A fall in price of a substitute for energy saving light bulbs
(b) A subsidy on the production of energy saving light bulbs
(c) A fall in labour costs for producing conventional light bulbs
(d) A fall in the price of raw materials required for manufacture
(e) Anticipating a increase in demand, major manufacturers invest in new capital equipment for the manufacturing of energy saving light bulbs
(f) A decrease in real incomes

Question 3

Which of the following is a reasonable explanation of the direct relationship between price and supply (the supply curve)? N.B. A number of them could be right.

(a) Improvements in technology help manufacturers to supply more at a lower price.
(b) As price of a good or service falls, firms will shift to producing other goods which become more profitable.
(c) At higher prices it is still profitable to use more expensive factors of production switched from other areas.
(d) At higher prices it is worthwhile producing more despite higher costs of production as the profit margin stays the same.
(e) Labour costs tend to increase each year.