Specialization of labor
a. increases productivity without creating any problems
b. reduces productivity, and is usually eliminated by business firms
c. can create problems of boredom and repetitive motion injuries
d. prevents the introduction of more sophisticated and efficient production techniques
e. ignores individual preferences and natural abilities
QUESTION 2The division of labor refers to
a. discrimination in labor markets
b. separating a job into smaller tasks completed by different people
c. one worker who divides his time among different jobs and duties
d. defining a job according to the appropriate sex
e. the fact that two 20-year-olds are more productive than one 40-year-old
QUESTION 3Fast food is faster and cheaper than a similar meal you could prepare for yourself. Which of the following does not explain that fact?
a. meal preparation has been divided into many separate tasks
b. larger-scale production allows the introduction of more efficient machines
c. workers gain productivity at a task over time
d. there is less time lost moving from one task to another
e. workers are more productive when they are being paid
QUESTION 4Because of specialization and comparative advantage, most people
a. consume only what they produce themselves
b. consume the products produced by their family and friends
c. consume the products of many other specialists
d. do not use money as a medium of exchange
e. share whatever they produce
QUESTION 5Division of labor increases productivity because
a. tasks can be assigned according to individual tastes and abilities
b. workers who repeatedly perform the same tasks become bored
c. each worker must learn each of the numerous tasks in the total production process
d. specialization of labor allows for the introduction of cheaper, less sophisticated production techniques
e. managers can force workers to produce goods that are valued more highly than the costs of producing them.
QUESTION 6Which of the following is not a gain from division of labor?
a. Workers' abilities are matched to tasks.
b. Workers gain experience from the repetition of the tasks.
c. Workers save time by not moving to different tasks.
d. Workers' morale increases as tasks become more specialized.
e. The introduction of labor-saving machinery is possible.
QUESTION 7The division of labor facilitates productivity increases for all of the following reasons, except one. Which is the exception?
a. It allows people to do those tasks for which they have the greatest natural ability.
b. Workers get better at tasks, the more they repeat them.
c. The more experience workers gain by specializing in a task, the more likely they will enjoy that task.
d. More sophisticated production techniques are introduced.
e. The division of labor often permits the introduction of labor-saving machinery.
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