1. EC102: Class 5 LT
Christina Ammon

2. Quiz Question 1 The rate of inflation is the:
A. median level of prices. 
B. average level of prices.
C. percentage change in the level of prices.
D. measure of the overall level of prices.

3. Essay 5 Question c Describe the two main measures of inflation
Percentage change in Consumer Price Index
value of a fixed basket of goods at a certain date
measures the “cost of living
Measures price changes weighted by importance of goods in budget
Doesn’t measure changes different compositions of baskets
Percentage change in the GDP Deflator.
Nominal GDP/Real GDP *100
Nominal GDP - current prices, Real GDP - base year prices
Does not include imported goods

4. Essay 5 Question d
Inflation interferes with the market allocation mechanism. Explain.
Prices change due to other reasons but preferences
Makes it hard to distinguish overall from relative price changes
Prices are sticky
Creates relative price changes if not all firms are able to adjust prices at the same speed

5. Quiz Question 2 In the case of an unanticipated inflation:
A. creditors with an unindexed contract are hurt because they get less than they expected in real terms. 
B. creditors with an indexed contract gain because they get more than they contracted for in nominal terms. 
C. debtors with an unindexed contract do not gain because they pay exactly what they contracted for in nominal terms. 
D. debtors with an indexed contract are hurt because they pay more than they contracted for in nominal terms.

6. Quiz Question 3
If inflation is 6 percent and a worker receives a 4 percent wage increase, then the worker's real wage:
A. increased 4 percent. 
B. increased 2 percent. 
C. decreased 2 percent. 
D. decreased 6 percent.

7. Essay 4 Question a
Faced with a negative demand shock, the central bank needs to strike a balance between doing “too much” and doing “too little”. Explain.
Central bank faces trade-off between increasing output and decreasing inflation
Can work as demand shock itself
If too much – output surpasses natural rate - generates inflation
If too little – output stays low = recession

8. Essay 5 Question c
When will a monetary expansion not result in inflation?

9. Essay 5 Question f Explain why disinflation is costly.
What is disinflation? What is deflation?
Depends on expectations
If unexpected disinflation
Whenever inflation is lower than expectations
Prices increase more than money supply
Real Money Balances fall
Equivalent of a demand shock
What happens if disinflation is expected?

10. Essay 5 Question g
In ending a hyperinflation, it is useful to have a “nominal anchor”. Explain.

11. Quiz Question 4
In practice, in order to stop a hyperinflation, in addition to stopping monetary growth, the government must:
A. lower taxes and raise government spending.
B. raise taxes and reduce government spending. 
C. change from one kind of currency to another. 
D. call for a new election.

12. Question 4 If a central bank drops money from a helicopter
It won’t affect interest rates as there is no corresponding purchase of bonds
It will have the same effects as an OMO for the same amount
Will affect demand positively through lower interest rates and negatively through inflation
Combines elements of monetary and fiscal stimulus