economics
beginner
10 sample questions
Balance Of Payments MCQ Practice Test
International transaction records
Q1. A country is experiencing a large trade deficit, but its current account balance is in surplus. Which of the following best explains this phenomenon?
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A. The country is exporting more services than it is importing, which is offsetting the large trade deficit. ✓
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B. The country is receiving large foreign direct investments, which are increasing its foreign exchange reserves and contributing to the current account surplus.
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C. The country is experiencing a large transfer of funds from abroad, such as foreign aid or remittances, which is increasing its current account balance.
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D. The country is earning large interest income on its foreign assets, which is contributing to the current account surplus.
Explanation: This phenomenon can occur when a country is experiencing a large trade deficit, but it is also receiving significant foreign direct investments. These investments can increase the country's foreign exchange reserves, which can contribute to a current account surplus. This is because foreign direct investments are considered an increase in the country's foreign assets, which can earn interest income and contribute to the current account balance.
Q2. A country is experiencing a ×10 million trade deficit in its current account, while its capital account is showing a ×20 million surplus. If the country's GDP is ×100 billion, what is the likely effect on its exchange rate in the short run?
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A. The exchange rate will appreciate due to the capital account surplus
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B. The exchange rate will depreciate due to the current account deficit ✓
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C. The exchange rate will remain unchanged due to the offsetting effects of the current and capital accounts
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D. The exchange rate will appreciate due to the large trade deficit
Explanation: In the short run, a current account deficit typically leads to a depreciation of the exchange rate, as the country needs to attract more foreign capital to finance its trade deficit. The capital account surplus may help to partially offset the depreciation, but it is unlikely to completely offset the effect of the current account deficit.
Q3. A country experiences a simultaneous increase in its capital account surplus and a decrease in its current account deficit, while its foreign exchange reserves remain unchanged. Which of the following statements is true?
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A. The country is experiencing a balance of payments disequilibrium.
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B. The country is experiencing a balance of payments equilibrium.
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C. The increase in capital account surplus is financing the decrease in current account deficit. ✓
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D. The country's exchange rate is overvalued.
Explanation: In a balance of payments accounting framework, the capital and current accounts are related through the concept of financing. If a country experiences an increase in its capital account surplus and a decrease in its current account deficit, it implies that the capital inflows are financing the current account deficit. This is a characteristic of balance of payments equilibrium.
Q4. A country is experiencing a · balance of payments surplus due to a · increase in foreign direct investment, but a · decrease in the current account balance. What is the likely reason for the · discrepancy between the two?
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A. The country's capital account is not accurately reflecting the true extent of foreign direct investment.
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B. The country's current account balance is being artificially inflated due to misclassification of certain transactions.
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C. The country's capital account is being driven by short-term capital flows, rather than long-term foreign direct investment. ✓
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D. The country's balance of payments statistics are being distorted by the presence of a large offshore financial center.
Explanation: A balance of payments surplus due to an increase in foreign direct investment, but a decrease in the current account balance, suggests that the capital account is being driven by short-term capital flows, rather than long-term foreign direct investment. This is because short-term capital flows can be volatile and may not accurately reflect the true extent of foreign direct investment.
Q5. A country is experiencing a large trade deficit and a significant increase in foreign direct investment (FDI). The increase in FDI is primarily driven by multinational corporations (MNCs) from a country with a large current account surplus. If the MNCs repatriate a significant portion of their profits back to their home country, which of the following is the most likely effect on the balance of payments of the host country?
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A. The host country's current account deficit will increase, as the repatriation of profits represents an outflow of income. ✓
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B. The host country's capital account surplus will increase, as the repatriation of profits will lead to an increase in inflows of foreign capital.
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C. The host country's balance of payments will be unaffected, as the repatriation of profits is a domestic transaction.
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D. The host country's current account surplus will increase, as the repatriation of profits will lead to an increase in exports and a decrease in imports.
Explanation: When MNCs repatriate profits back to their home country, it increases the outflow of income from the host country. This outflow of income is recorded in the current account, increasing the current account deficit. The capital account is not directly affected by the repatriation of profits.
Q6. A country experiences a $ $500 million increase in its foreign exchange reserves due to a $ $200 million decrease in its imports and a $ $300 million increase in its foreign direct investment inflows. What is the corresponding change in its current account balance ?
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A. The current account balance improves by $200 million. ✓
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B. The current account balance worsens by $300 million.
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C. The current account balance improves by $500 million.
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D. The current account balance worsens by $200 million.
Explanation: The increase in foreign exchange reserves is due to a decrease in imports, which is a component of the current account balance. The foreign direct investment inflows are recorded in the capital account, not the current account. Therefore, the improvement in the current account balance is $200 million.
Q7. A country runs a current account deficit and a matching financial account surplus, and its exchange rate floats. What is the likely pressure on the nominal exchange rate?
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A. It will appreciate due to increased demand for the currency from foreign investors ✓
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B. It will depreciate due to an outflow of capital from the country
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C. It will remain unchanged because the accounts offset each other
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D. It will fluctuate randomly with no systematic tendency
Explanation: A financial account surplus means foreigners are net buyers of domestic assets, increasing demand for the domestic currency, which tends to appreciate it — financing the current account deficit. The original key (depreciation from capital outflow) contradicted the stated surplus.
Q8. Which policy would most directly improve a country's trade balance by making its exports cheaper to foreign buyers?
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A. Bringing about a depreciation of the currency ✓
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B. Raising interest rates to attract foreign investors
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C. Increasing government spending on domestic programs
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D. Attracting foreign portfolio investment
Explanation: A weaker currency makes exports cheaper in foreign currency terms and imports dearer, directly improving the trade balance. The other options affect capital flows or demand rather than relative export prices.
Q9. A country experiences a trade deficit of $100 billion, a capital account surplus of $80 billion, and a current account deficit of $120 billion. What is the value of the country's balance of payments (BOP) deficit?
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A. The BOP deficit is $20 billion. ✓
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B. The BOP deficit is $40 billion.
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C. The BOP deficit is $80 billion.
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D. The BOP deficit is $120 billion.
Explanation: The BOP deficit is calculated as the current account deficit minus the capital account surplus. In this case, the current account deficit is $120 billion, and the capital account surplus is $80 billion. Therefore, the BOP deficit is $120 billion - $80 billion = $20 billion.
Q10. A country is experiencing a large trade deficit financed by foreign direct investment (FDI). Which of the following would be the impact on its balance of payments account?
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A. The current account deficit would increase, while the capital account surplus would decrease.
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B. The current account deficit would decrease, while the capital account surplus would increase.
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C. The current account deficit would increase, while the capital account surplus would increase. ✓
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D. The current account deficit would decrease, while the capital account surplus would decrease.
Explanation: When a country receives FDI, it is considered a capital inflow, which increases the capital account surplus. However, if this FDI is used to finance a large trade deficit, it means that the country is importing more goods and services than it exports, which would increase the current account deficit. Therefore, the correct answer is that the current account deficit would increase, while the capital account surplus would increase.
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