Price Ceilings and Price Supports

During national emergencies (чрезвычайные обстоятельства), the government sometimes imposes limits on prices, not allowing them to reach their equilibrium level. For example, during World War II, the government did not allow the prices of foodstuffs to rise to their equilibrium levels, as they felt that it would be unfair (несправедливый) and highly unpopular. As a result, the quantity demanded exceeded the quantity supplied. In other words, there was shortage.

As the price system is not allowed to do the rationing (нормирование продукта), some formal systems of rationing or allocating the available supply of the product may be needed. Thus, in World War II, families received ration coupons which determined how much they could buy of every commodity. Such rationing scheme may work well in emergencies (over short periods of time), but they can result eventually in serious problems, as prices are not allowed to regulate production and consumption.

Consider, for example, the rent ceilings that have been imposed on some apartments in New York City. First, the purpose of these ceilings was to prevent rents from rocketing up to during World War II. It has resulted in a shortage of housing in New York City. Because they have pushed the price of housing below the equilibrium price, less housing has been supplied than has been demanded.

Governments may also impose price floors – or price support, as they are often called. The assumption is that they allow producers of the goods in question to maintain their revenues at a higher level. For example, the federal government has imposed price supports on a lot of agricultural commodities that might increase farm incomes. The result is that the quantity supplied exceeds the quantity demanded at the floor price.

IX. Ответьте на следующие вопросы к тексту.

1.When do governments usually impose limits on prices?

2. What examples of government regulations of prices are given in the text?

3. What were the results of government regulations?

4. Is government regulation of prices desirable?

5. Why do governments also impose price floors or price support?

X. Приложите к данной контрольной работе словарь экономических терминов, составленный вами в течение двух лет обучения.

КОНТРОЛЬНАЯ РАБОТА №3

Вариант 2

Для того чтобы правильно выполнить контрольную работу, необходимо усвоить следующие разделы курса.

1. Времена группы Perfect (Present, Past, Future).

2. Страдательный залог (The Passive Voice).

3. Согласование времен (прямая и косвенная речь).

4. Придаточные условные предложения.

5. Сложное дополнение (The Complex Object).

6. Сложное подлежащее (The Complex Subject).

I. Выберите правильный вариант, обращая внимание на образование времен группы Perfect (Present, Past, Future).

1.   He ______ his driving test. He is so happy. He hasn’t been able to pass it for three years.

a) has just passed       b) have just passed           c) just passed

2. He can’t find a job. He ______ unemployed for half a year.

a) Was            b) Has been          c) Have been

3. I knew that once he ______ a well-known specialist in his field.

a) Had been         b) Was       c) Has been

4. The telephone on his table rang and he ______ it up.

a) had picked          b) picked            c) has picked

5. By the end of August we ______ a new product.

a) shall have launched     b) launched            c) has launched

6. As you ______, he has given a discount.

a) will notice          b) are noticing      c) will have noticed

II. Преобразуйте предложения в страдательный залог.

1. They talk much about that novel.

2. When did they build this house?

3. I don’t like when people talk about me.

4. They had organized the exhibition before I gave my approval.

5. We have already left the room.

6. I am not reading this newspaper, you may have it.

III. Поставьте глагол в скобках в правильную форму страдательного залога.

1. These issues (to discuss) usually after work.

2. This problem (to deal) with at the moment.

3. She knew that she (to wait) for.

4. The novel (to translate) since last year.

5. You cannot sit here. The seat (to take).

6. The work (to finish) in a month.

7. Everything (to settle) already.

IV. Передайте следующие предложения в косвенной речи.

1. “Will you need the contract for a long time?”, asked the client.

2. “I have already learnt enough about this company”, said the manager.

3. “I think I shall be free on Friday”, said my boss to his partner.

4. “Will you be able to find his telephone number?”, asked the secretary.

5. “Please, don’t ask me any more questions”, he said to me.

6. “I shall finish my work with documents by Monday”, said the secretary.

V. Раскройте скобки, употребляя глаголы в требующейся форме.

1. If you (to give) me your address, I shall send you all details.

2. If he (to work) hard, he would have achieved great progress.

3. If I (to have) his telephone number, I should easily settle this matter with him.

4. If we (to receive) a message from our partner, we won’t be so worried.

5. If my friend (to be) at home, he will tell us what to do.

6. I should be very glad if he (to come) to my place.

VI. Переведите предложения, содержащие конструкцию Complex Object. Подчеркните этот оборот в каждом предложении.

1. Economists suppose economic growth to lower unemployment rate rapidly.

2. The manager wants three more workers to build this house.

3. The manager expects the workers to handle the new equipment carefully.

4. Higher prices for inputs make producers to rise for output.

5. The sellers know these factors to influence consumers’ decision to buy.

VII. Переведите предложения, содержащие конструкцию Complex Subject. Подчеркните этот оборот в каждом предложении.

1. Labor, machinery, raw materials, energy are known to be input.

2. This practice has been found to require new capital investment.

3. Taxes are assumed to redistribute incomes within an economy.

4. New banking services seem to come into life rapidly.

5. Positive economics is sure to play an essential part in social life.

VIII. Прочитайте текст и переведите его письменно.