passage 2

　　In cities with rent control, the city government sets the maximum rent that a landlord can charge for an apartment. Supporters of rent control argue that it protects people who are living in apartments. Their rent cannot increase; therefore they are not in danger of losing their homes. However, the critics say that after a long time, rent control may have negative effects. Landlords know that they cannot increase their profits. Therefore, they invest in other businesses where they can increase their profits. They do not invest in new building which would also be rent-controlled. As a result, new apartments are not built. Many people who need apartments cannot find any. According to the critics, the end result of rent control is a shortage of apartments in the city.

　　Some theorists argue that the minimum wage law can cause problems in the same way. The federal government sets the minimum that an employer must pay workers. The minimum hepls people who generally look for unskilled, low-paying jobs. However, if the minimum is high, employers may hire fewer workers. They will replace workers with machinery. The price, which is the wage that employers must pay, increases. Therefore, other things being equal, the number of workers that employers want decreases. Thus, critics claim, an increase in the minimum wage may cause unemployment. Some poor people may find themselves without jobs instead of with jobs at the minimum wage.

　　Supporters of the minimum wage say that it hepls people keep their dignity. Because of the law, workers cannot sell their services for less than the minimum. Furthermore employers cannot force workers to accept jobs at unfair wages.

　　Economic theory predicts the results of economic decisions such as decisions about farm production, rent control, and the minimum wage. The predictions may be correct only if “other things are equal”. Economists do not agree on some of the predictions. They also do not agree on the value of different decisions. Some economists support a particular decision while others criticize it. Economists do agree, however, that there are no simple answers to economic questions.

　　6. There is the possibility that setting maximum rent may ______.

　　A. cause a shortage of apartments

　　B. worry those who rent apartments as homes

　　C. increase the profits of landlords

　　D. encourage landlords to invest in building apartments

　　7. We can safely say that rent control ______.

　　A. will always benefit those who rent apartments

　　B. is unnecessary

　　C. will bring negative effects in the long run

　　D. is necessary under all circumstances

　　8. The problem of unemployment will arise ______.

　　A. if the minimum wage is set too high

　　B. if the minimum wage is set too low

　　C. if the worker are unskilled

　　D. if the maximum wage is set

　　9. The passage tells us ______.

　　A. the relationship between supply and demand

　　B. the possible results of government controls

　　C. the necessity of government controls

　　D. the urgency of getting rid of government controls

　　10. Which of the following statements is NOT true?

　　A. The results of economic decisions can not always be predicted.

　　B. Minimum wage can always protect employees.

　　C. Economic theory can predict the results of economic decisions if other factors are not changing.

　　D. Economic decisions should not be based on economic theory.