RLG100Y1 Chapter 3: Study Guide Chapter 3 - Christianity

1) If the economy was experiencing a severe recession, which of the following combinations of monetary and fiscal policy actions would be most appropriate?

a. a decrease in the reserve requirement coupled with an increase in taxes

b. the sale of government securities by the Fed coupled with an increase in the level of government spending.

c. the purchase of government securities by the Fed coupled with a decrease in the level of government spending.

d. the purchase of government securities by the Fed coupled with a tax reduction

e. an increase in the reserve requirement coupled with a tax reduction

f. the purchase of government securities by the Fed coupled with a tax increase

2) Many years ago, the traditional mortgage loan structure specified
A. a down payment of 20%.
B. an initial loan-to-value ratio of 100%.
C. a variable interest rate.
D. all of the above.

3) Unlike the traditional mortgage amortization schedule, "negative-amortization" mortgages permit the
A. mortgage payments to exceed the accrued interest during the early years of the mortgage.
B. principal payments to grow at a constant rate during the early years of the mortgage.
C. value of the house to depreciate during the early years of the mortgage.
D. outstanding balance to increase over a part of the life of the mortgage.

4) The traditional mortgage amortization schedule specifies a monthly payment that is
A. increasing over the life of the mortgage.
B. decreasing over the life of the mortgage.
C. constant over the life of the mortgage.
D. first increasing, then decreasing, over the life of the mortgage.

5) The "interest-only" mortgage typically converts later to a
A. traditional mortgage with a higher payment.
B. traditional mortgage with a lower payment.
C. "negative-amortization" mortgage with a lower payment.
D. "exotic" mortgage with a lower payment.

6) "Exotic" mortgages became popular in part because they allow someone of
A. means to get into a home they would easily have been able to afford.
B. modest means to get into a home they might otherwise not have been able to afford.
C. modest means to build more equity in their home than a traditional mortgage would allow.
D. modest means to build their credit score by proving they could make challenging payments.

7) Other things equal, increasing home prices tend to
A. force homeowners to spend less than they earn.
B. allow homeowners to spend more than they earn.
C. leave homeowners' ability to spend unaffected.
D. increase the likelihood that homeowners will default on their mortgages.

8) If homeowners purchased a $250,000 home with a zero-down, interest-only mortgage, and the value of the home subsequently fell to $200,000, in order to sell the house and move to another city, the homeowners would be required at closing to pay (in addition to the proceeds from the home sale)
A. nothing.
B. $50,000.
C. any transaction costs and real estate fees.
D. $50,000 plus any transaction costs and real estate fees.

9) Home price escalation in the U.S. during 2005 fueled booms in
A. Iraq and Afghanistan
B. stocks of dot com startups in Silicon Valley and U.S. government bonds
C. home building and home equity lines of credit
D. mortgage foreclosures and home demolition

10) The stimulus package proposed by the Bush Administration in early 2008 relied upon

A. a permanent increase in personal income tax rates
B. a temporary surtax added to existing personal income tax rates
C. making permanent the 2003 income tax rate cuts, as well as tax rebates to taxpayers
D. a requirement that any children claimed as dependents have social security numbers

11) The stimulus plan adopted in 2009 by newly-elected President Obama consisted of
A. only tax cuts
B. only spending increases on newly-created federal programs
C. only attempts to shore up Medicaid, welfare and unemployment programs
D. roughly equal tax cuts and spending increases, with additional spending to shore up existing federal programs

12) The main effect on the economy of the financial sector crisis in late 2008 was
A. reduced aggregate demand
B. increased aggregate demand
C. reduced aggregate supply
D. increased aggregate supply

13) If not corrected, the financial sector crisis of late 2008 would have tended to
A. increase both Real GDP and the general price level
B. increase Real GDP and lower the general price level
C. lower Real GDP and increase the general price level
D. lower both Real GDP and the general price level

14) Monetary policy designed to counteract a reduction in aggregate demand might include
A. a reduction in the money stock
B. a reduction in short-term interest rates
C. increased government infrastructure spending
D. an increase in individual income tax rates

Debt Crisis
With the creation of the European Monetary System and the birth of the euro in 1999, the U.S dollar is facing challenges to its position as the key reserve currency in international financial transactions. However, for the euro to keep its international position as a reserve currency, the European Union must function as a cohesive political entity that can exert its influence on the world stage. There are numerous challenges facing euro-zone countries now, with debt crisis in several countries.
The euro, common currency among seventeen euro-zone countries is facing numerous challenges. Germany's finance minister said “his country is prepared to pursue bold action to preserve Europe's common currency, including deeper economic integration with its neighbors, and issued a warning to markets not to underestimate Berlin's resolve to protect the euro (Wall Street Journal, Dec. 11, 2010). Germany could accept steps toward fiscal union if current attempts to improve the euro zone's governance proved insufficient to end the year-old debt crisis. All European countries are determined to keep this European currency stable, so Europe will find steps toward further unification.
Many Germans, including leading members of the government, oppose further economic integration within the 17-nation euro zone over fears that Germany would be forced to pay the debt of others. Proponents of such steps warn that not only the euro but the EU itself could fall apart if governments fail to act. So far, Germany, the euro zone's economic motor, has vociferously opposed such proposals, sparking accusations from some of its neighbors that Berlin isn't acting in Europe's best interest. This is addressing fears that the debt crisis could spread from small countries such as Greece, Ireland, and Portugal to major economies such as Spain and Italy. It is argued that there will be no domino effect, as long as big economies like Germany defend the common currency.
Europe should concentrate on explaining to markets the decisions it has made so far, including the move to set up a European Stability Mechanism in 2013 that could impose losses on bond investors if euro members run up excessive debts.
Under the present structure, with unified monetary policy but not fiscal policy, different interest rates [on government bonds] are the mechanism that makes member states adhere to solid public finances. There is a need to improve the existing structure, and if this structure doesn't work, then they must indeed talk about alternatives.

1. Will increasing the size of the bailout fund (from which troubled countries can draw in times of crisis) help to prevent future crises? Why or why not? What is the downside of increasing this fund?