The central problem of economics is to satisfy the peoples and nations wants.

　　The problem we are faced with is that our resources, here identified as money, are __1__. The only way we can resolve our problem is to make choices. After looking at our resources, we must examine our list of __2__ and identify the things we need immediately, those we can postpone, and __3__ we cannot afford. As individuals, we face the central problem involved in economics-deciding just how to allocate our limited our limited resources to provide __4__ with the greatest satisfaction of our wants.

　　Nations face the same problem. As a countrys population ___5__, the need for more goods and services grows correspondingly. Resources necessary to production may increase, but there __6__ are enough resources to satisfy the total desires of a nation. Whether the budget meeting is taking place in the family living room, in the conference room of the corporation __7__ of directors, or in the chamber of the House of Representatives in Washington, the basic problem still exists. We need to find __8__ of allocating limited resources in order to satisfy unlimited wants.

　　A short time ago economists divided goods into two categories, free and economic. The former, like air and water, were in __9__ abundance that economists had no concern for them. After all, economics is the __10__ of scarcity and what to do about it. Today many of these free goods are __11__ very expensive to use. Pollution has made clean air and water expensive for producers extra costs, and __12__ taxpayers who pay for the governments involvement in cleaning the environment.

　　In the 1990s, almost all goods are __13__. Only by effort and money __14__ obtained in the form people wish.

　　Meeting needs of people and the demands from resource available __15__ the basic activity of production. In trying to meet unlimited wants from limited economic goods, production leads to new problems in economics.

　　EXERCISE:

　　1. A limited B unlimited C scarcity D abundant

　　2. A want B problem C wants D resources

　　3. A those B some C others D many

　　4. A them B themselves C ourselves D ours

　　5. A expand B extends C grows D increase

　　6. A always B sometimes C often D never

　　7. A management B function C board D group

　　8. A people B economists C way D methods

　　9. A so B great C such D such an

　　10. A form B study C means D source

　　11. A practically B in practice C in reality D practicably

　　12. A the B / C for D with

　　13. A plentiful B scarce C abundant D in full supply

　　14. A they can be B can they be C they must be D must they be

　　15. A are led to B leads C lead to D leads to

　　KEY:

　　A C A C C D C D C B C C B B D

　　The central problem of economics is to satisfy the peoples and nations wants.

　　The problem we are faced with is that our resources, here identified as money, are __1__. The only way we can resolve our problem is to make choices. After looking at our resources, we must examine our list of __2__ and identify the things we need immediately, those we can postpone, and __3__ we cannot afford. As individuals, we face the central problem involved in economics-deciding just how to allocate our limited our limited resources to provide __4__ with the greatest satisfaction of our wants.

　　Nations face the same problem. As a countrys population ___5__, the need for more goods and services grows correspondingly. Resources necessary to production may increase, but there __6__ are enough resources to satisfy the total desires of a nation. Whether the budget meeting is taking place in the family living room, in the conference room of the corporation __7__ of directors, or in the chamber of the House of Representatives in Washington, the basic problem still exists. We need to find __8__ of allocating limited resources in order to satisfy unlimited wants.

　　A short time ago economists divided goods into two categories, free and economic. The former, like air and water, were in __9__ abundance that economists had no concern for them. After all, economics is the __10__ of scarcity and what to do about it. Today many of these free goods are __11__ very expensive to use. Pollution has made clean air and water expensive for producers extra costs, and __12__ taxpayers who pay for the governments involvement in cleaning the environment.

　　In the 1990s, almost all goods are __13__. Only by effort and money __14__ obtained in the form people wish.

　　Meeting needs of people and the demands from resource available __15__ the basic activity of production. In trying to meet unlimited wants from limited economic goods, production leads to new problems in economics.

　　EXERCISE:

　　1. A limited B unlimited C scarcity D abundant

　　2. A want B problem C wants D resources

　　3. A those B some C others D many

　　4. A them B themselves C ourselves D ours

　　5. A expand B extends C grows D increase

　　6. A always B sometimes C often D never

　　7. A management B function C board D group

　　8. A people B economists C way D methods

　　9. A so B great C such D such an

　　10. A form B study C means D source

　　11. A practically B in practice C in reality D practicably

　　12. A the B / C for D with

　　13. A plentiful B scarce C abundant D in full supply

　　14. A they can be B can they be C they must be D must they be

　　15. A are led to B leads C lead to D leads to

　　KEY:

　　A C A C C D C D C B C C B B D