1.12 According to the theory of absolute advantage, which country should specialise in producing a
good? Why?
[2 marks]
a) The country with the lowest opportunity cost should specialise in producing a good because it
can produce the good more efficiently.
b) The country with the highest opportunity cost should specialise in producing a good because it
can produce the good more efficiently.
c) The country with the highest opportunity cost should specialise in producing a good because it
cannot produce the good efficiently.
1.13 Can a country have a comparative advantage in producing all goods? Why or why not? [2 marks]
a) Yes,a country can have a comparative advantage in producing all goods because it can produce
everything more efficiently than other countries.
b) No, a country cannot have a comparative advantage in producing all goods because there are
always trade-offs and opportunity costs.
c} It is impossible to determine if a country can have a comparative advantage in producing all
goods.
1.14 What are the assumptions of the theory of comparative advantage? Do these assumptions hold
in reality?
[2 marks]
a) The assumptions are that there are only two countries and two goods, and that there are no
transportation costs or barriers to trade. These assumptions do not hold in reality.
b) The assumptions are that there are many countries and many goods, and that transportation
costs and barriers to trade are minimal. These assumptions hold in reality.
c) The assumptions are that there are many countries and many goods, and that transportation
costs and barriers to trade are non-existent. These assumptions do not hold in reality.
1.15 How can a country benefit from trade if it does not have an absolute advantage in producing any
goods?
[2 marks]
a) The country can benefit from trade by specialising in the production of a good in which it has a
comparative advantage.
b) The country cannot benefit from trade if it does not have an absolute advantage in producing
any goods.
c) The country can benefit from trade by only importing goods and not exporting anything.
1.16 Doesthe theory of comparative advantage imply that countries should only export goods in which
they have a comparative advantage? Explain.
[2 marks]
a) Yes,the theory of comparative advantage implies that countries should only export goods in
which they have a comparative advantage. This is because they can produce those goods at a
lower opportunity cost than other countries.
b) No, the theory of comparative advantage implies that countries should only import goods in
which they have a comparative advantage.
c) The theory of comparative advantage does not provide any guidance on which goods a country
should export or import.
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