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AP Microeconomics Practice Quiz: International Trade and Public Policy

Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026

Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 10 questions to check your progress.

Question 1 of 10

According to the provided content, which of the following best defines a tariff?

All Questions (10)

According to the provided content, which of the following best defines a tariff?

A) A limit on the quantity of a good that can be imported or exported.

B) A tax imposed by a government on an imported good.

C) A government payment to domestic producers to encourage exports.

D) A gap between domestic supply and demand filled by trade.

Correct Answer: B

The content states that 'Tariffs, which governments sometimes use to influence international trade, affect domestic price, quantity, government revenue...'. This implies a tariff is a tool used by governments, and its effect on price and government revenue is consistent with it being a tax on trade.

A country that was previously closed to trade (in autarky) opens its market for widgets to international trade. The world price for widgets is lower than the domestic autarky price. What is the most likely effect on consumer surplus and producer surplus in the domestic market?

A) Both consumer surplus and producer surplus will increase.

B) Both consumer surplus and producer surplus will decrease.

C) Consumer surplus will increase, and producer surplus will decrease.

D) Consumer surplus will decrease, and producer surplus will increase.

Correct Answer: C

The content states that opening an economy to trade affects consumer and producer surplus and that the equilibrium price can be lower than under autarky. When the price falls to the world price, domestic consumers benefit from lower prices (increasing consumer surplus), while domestic producers receive less revenue for their goods (decreasing producer surplus).

When a government imposes a tariff on an imported good, which of the following outcomes is expected?

A) A decrease in the domestic price of the good.

B) An increase in government tax revenue.

C) An increase in consumer surplus.

D) A decrease in the quantity supplied by domestic producers.

Correct Answer: B

The content explicitly states that tariffs 'affect domestic price, quantity, government revenue, and consumer surplus and total economic surplus.' A tariff is a tax, and the collection of this tax on imported goods leads to an increase in government revenue.

What is the primary function of a quota in the context of international trade policy?

A) To generate revenue for the government from imports.

B) To alter the quantities of a good produced and traded.

C) To lower the domestic price of a good for consumers.

D) To subsidize domestic producers with tax money.

Correct Answer: B

The provided text states, 'Quotas can be used to alter quantities produced and therefore affect price, consumer surplus, and total economic surplus.' This indicates their primary function is to directly control the quantity of a good.

If a country opens to international trade and its domestic autarky price for a good is higher than the world price, the country will become an importer of that good. What does the quantity of imports represent?

A) The total domestic production of the good.

B) The total domestic consumption of the good.

C) The gap between domestic supply and demand at the world price.

D) The amount of revenue collected by the government.

Correct Answer: C

The content states that when an economy opens to trade, 'the gap between domestic supply and demand is filled by trade.' If the world price is lower than the domestic price, domestic demand will exceed domestic supply, and this gap is filled by imports.

How does the imposition of an import quota affect the domestic market for a good?

A) It decreases the domestic price and increases consumer surplus.

B) It increases the quantity of the good available and decreases the price.

C) It limits the quantity available, which leads to a higher domestic price.

D) It has no effect on price but generates revenue for the government.

Correct Answer: C

The content specifies that 'Quotas can be used to alter quantities produced and therefore affect price, consumer surplus, and total economic surplus.' By limiting the quantity of imports, a quota reduces the total supply available in the domestic market, causing the domestic price to rise.

Consider a market where the domestic equilibrium price is $15. The world price is $10. The government imposes a $2 tariff on imports. At the new price of $12, domestic quantity demanded is 100 units and domestic quantity supplied is 40 units. How much revenue does the government collect from the tariff?

A) $80

B) $120

C) $200

D) $240

Correct Answer: B

Government revenue from a tariff is calculated as the tariff amount multiplied by the quantity of imports. The quantity of imports is the difference between domestic quantity demanded and domestic quantity supplied at the new price. Imports = 100 units (demanded) - 40 units (supplied) = 60 units. Government Revenue = Tariff per unit * Quantity of imports = $2 * 60 = $120.

When a country that imports a good imposes a tariff, all of the following are affected EXCEPT:

A) Consumer surplus

B) The world price of the good

C) Government revenue

D) The domestic price of the good

Correct Answer: B

The provided content states that tariffs affect 'domestic price, quantity, government revenue, and consumer surplus and total economic surplus.' It does not mention that a single country's tariff affects the overall world price, which is typically assumed to be constant for a small economy in the context of these models.

A country opens its economy to international trade, and the world price for a specific product is higher than the country's domestic autarky price. Which of the following will occur?

A) The country will import the product, and domestic consumer surplus will increase.

B) The country will export the product, and domestic producer surplus will increase.

C) The country will import the product, and domestic producer surplus will increase.

D) The country will export the product, and domestic consumer surplus will increase.

Correct Answer: B

The content states that the 'equilibrium price can be higher or lower than under autarky.' If the world price is higher, domestic producers will be able to sell their goods for more, both domestically and abroad. This will lead them to export the good. The higher price increases producer surplus. Consumer surplus would decrease as domestic consumers face a higher price.

When a tariff is imposed on an imported good, what is the resulting impact on total economic surplus within the importing country?

A) Total economic surplus increases because government revenue is created.

B) Total economic surplus remains unchanged because the loss in consumer surplus is equal to the gain in producer surplus and government revenue.

C) Total economic surplus decreases because the gain in producer surplus and government revenue is less than the loss in consumer surplus.

D) Total economic surplus increases because domestic producers are better off.

Correct Answer: C

The content states that tariffs affect 'consumer surplus and total economic surplus.' While domestic producer surplus and government revenue increase, the tariff raises the price for consumers, causing a loss in consumer surplus. In a competitive market, the loss to consumers is greater than the combined gains for producers and the government, resulting in a net decrease in total economic surplus (deadweight loss).