Chapter 4 The Behavior of Interest Rates

4.1 Multiple Choice Questions

1) As the price of a bond _____ and the expected return _____, bonds become moreattractive to investors and the quantity demanded rises.A) falls; risesB) falls; fallsC) rises; risesD) rises; fallsAnswer: A

2) The supply curve for bonds has the usual upward slope, indicating that as the price _____, ceteris paribus, the _____ increases.A) falls; supplyB) falls; quantity suppliedC) rises; supplyD) rises; quantity suppliedAnswer: D

3) When the price of a bond is above the equilibrium price, there is an excess _____ for (of) bonds and the price will _____A) demand; rise.B) demand; fall.C) supply; fall.D) supply; rise.Answer: C

4) When the price of a bond is below the equilibrium price, there is an excess _____ for (of) bonds and the price will _____A) demand; rise.B) demand; fall.C) supply; fall.D) supply; rise.Answer: A

5) When the price of a bond is _____ the equilibrium price, there is an excess supply of bonds and the price will _____A) above; rise.B) above; fall.C) below; fall.D) below; rise.Answer: B

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6) When the price of a bond is _____ the equilibrium price, there is an excess demandof bonds and the price will _____A) above; rise.B) above; fall.C) below; fall.D) below; rise.Answer: D

7) When the interest rate on a bond is above the equilibrium interest rate, in the bond market there is excess _____ and the interest rate will _____A) demand; rise.B) demand; fall.C) supply; fall.D) supply; rise.Answer: B

8) When the interest rate on a bond is below the equilibrium interest rate, in the bond market there is excess _____ and the interest rate will _____A) demand; rise.B) demand; fall.C) supply; fall.D) supply; rise.Answer: D

9) When the interest rate on a bond is ______ the equilibrium interest rate, in the bond market there is excess _____ and the interest rate will _____A) above; demand; rise. B) above; demand; fall. C) below; supply; fall.D) above; supply; rise.Answer: B

10) When the interest rate on a bond is _____ the equilibrium interest rate, in the bond market there is excess _____ and the interest rate will _____A) below; demand; rise. B) below; demand; fall.C) below; supply; fall.D) above; supply; rise.Answer: A

11) When the demand for bonds ______ or the supply of bonds _____, interest rate rise.A) increases; increases.B) increases; decreases.C) decreases; decreases.D) decreases; increases.Answer: D

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12) When the demand for bonds ______ or the supply of bonds _____, interest rates fall.A) increases; increases.B) increases; decreases.C) decreases; decreases.D) decreases; increases.Answer: B

13) Factors that determine the demand for an asset include changes in theA) wealth of investors.B) liquidity of bonds relative to alternative assets.C) expected returns on bonds relative to alternative assets.D) risk of bonds relative to alternative assets.E) all of the above.Answer: E

14) In a recession when income and wealth are falling, the demand for bonds _____ and the demand curve shifts to the _____A) falls; right.B) falls; left.C) rises; right.D) rises; left.Answer: B

15) During business cycle expansions when income and wealth are rising, the demandfor bonds _____ and the demand curve shifts to the _____A) falls; right.B) falls; left.C) rises; right.D) rises; left.Answer: C

16) For a holding period of one year, the expected return on a consol is _____ the higher is the price of the consol today, and _____ the higher is the price of the consolnext year.A) higher; higherB) higher; lowerC) lower; higherD) lower; lowerAnswer: C

17) Higher expected interest rates in the future ____ the demand for long-term bonds and shift the demand curve to the _____A) increase; left.B) increase; right.C) decrease; left.D) decrease; right.Answer: C

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18) Lower expected interest rates in the future ____ the demand for long-term bonds and shift the demand curve to the _____A) increase; left.B) increase; right.C) decrease; left.D) decrease; right.Answer: B

19) When people begin to expect a large stock market decline, the demand curve for bonds shifts to the _____ and the interest rate _____A) right; rises.B) right; falls.C) left; falls.D) left; rises.Answer: B

20) When people begin to expect a large run up in stock prices, the demand curve for bonds shifts to the _____ and the interest rate _____A) right; rises.B) right; falls.C) left; falls.D) left; rises.Answer: D

21) An increase in the expected rate of inflation will _____ the expected return on bonds relative to that on _____ assets, and shift the _____ curve to the left.A) reduce; financial; demandB) reduce; real; demandC) raise; financial; supply D) raise; real; supplyAnswer: B

22) A decrease in the expected rate of inflation will _____ the expected return on bonds relative to that on _____ assets.A) reduce; financialB) reduce; realC) raise; financialD) raise; realAnswer: D

23) When the expected inflation rate increases, the demand for bonds _____, the supply of bonds _____, and the interest rate ______A) increases; increases; rises.B) decreases; decreases; falls.C) increases; decreases; falls. D) decreases; increases; rises.Answer: D

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24) When the expected inflation rate decreases, the demand for bonds _____, the supply of bonds _____, and the interest rate ______A) increases; increases; rises.B) decreases; decreases; falls.C) increases; decreases; falls. D) decreases; increases; rises.Answer: C

25) When bond interest rates become more volatile, the demand for bonds _____ and the interest rate _____A) increases; rises.B) increases; falls.C) decreases; falls.D) decreases; rises.Answer: D

26) When bond interest rates become less volatile, the demand for bonds _____ and the interest rate _____A) increases; rises.B) increases; falls.C) decreases; falls.D) decreases; rises.Answer: B

27) When prices in the stock market become more uncertain, the demand curve for bonds shifts to the _____ and the interest rate _____A) right; rises.B) right; falls.C) left; falls.D) left; rises.Answer: B

28) When stock prices become less volatile, the demand curve for bonds shifts to the _____ and the interest rate _____A) right; rises.B) right; falls.C) left; falls.D) left; rises.E) more; right; rises.Answer: D

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29) When bonds become more widely traded, and as a consequence the market becomesmore liquid, the demand curve for bonds shifts to the _____ and the interest rate _____A) right; rises.B) right; falls.C) left; falls.D) left; rises.Answer: B

30) When bonds become less widely traded, and as a consequence the market becomesless liquid, the demand curve for bonds shifts to the _____ and the interest rate _____A) right; rises.B) right; falls.C) left; falls.D) left; rises.Answer: D

31) Factors that cause the demand curve for bonds to shift to the left includeA) an increase in the inflation rate.B) an increase in the liquidity of stocks.C) a decrease in the volatility of stock prices.D) all of the above.E) none of the above.Answer: D

32) Factors that cause the demand curve for bonds to shift to the left includeA) a decrease in the inflation rate.B) an increase in the volatility of stock prices.C) an increase in the liquidity of stocks.D) all of the above.E) only (A) and (B) of the above.Answer: C

33) During an economic expansion, the supply of bonds _____ and the supply curve shifts to the _____A) increases, left.B) increases, right.C) decreases, left.D) decreases, right.Answer: B

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34) During a recession, the supply of bonds _____ and the supply curve shifts to the _____A) increases, left.B) increases, right.C) decreases, left.D) decreases, right.Answer: C

35) An increase in expected inflation causes the supply of bonds to _____ and the supply curve to shift to the _____A) increase, left.B) increase, right.C) decrease, left.D) decrease, right.Answer: B

36) When the federal government’s budget deficit increases, the _____ curve for bonds shifts to the _____A) demand; right.B) demand; left.C) supply; left.D) supply; right.Answer: D

37) When the federal government’s budget deficit decreases, the _____ curve for bonds shifts to the _____A) demand; right.B) demand; left.C) supply; left.D) supply; right.Answer: C

38) When the inflation rate is expected to increase, the expected return on bonds relative to real assets falls for any given interest rate; the _____ for bonds falls and the _____ curve shifts to the left.A) demand; demandB) demand; supplyC) supply; demandD) supply; supplyAnswer: A

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39) When the inflation rate is expected to increase, the real cost of borrowing declines at any given interest rate; the _____ of bonds increases and the _____ curve shifts to the right.A) demand; demandB) demand; supplyC) supply; demandD) supply; supplyAnswer: D

Figure 4-1

40) In Figure 4-1, the most likely cause of the increase in the equilibrium interest rate from i1 to i2 isA) an increase in the price of bonds. B) a business cycle boom.C) an increase in the expected inflation rate. D) a decrease in the expected inflation rate.Answer: C

41) In Figure 4-1, the most likely cause of the increase in the equilibrium interest rate from i1 to i2 isA) an increase in the expected inflation rate.B) a decrease in the expected inflation rate.C) a sharp decline in the growth rate of the money supply.D) a combination of both (A) and (C) of the above.Answer: A

42) In Figure 4-1, the most likely cause of a decrease in the equilibrium interest ratefrom i2 to i1 is A) an increase in the expected inflation rate.B) a decrease in the expected inflation rate.C) a business cycle expansion.D) a combination of both (A) and (C) of the above. Answer: B

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43) Factors that can cause the supply curve for bonds to shift to the right includeA) an expansion in overall economic activity.B) a decrease in expected inflation.C) a decrease in government deficits.D) all of the above.E) only (A) and (B) of the above.Answer: A

44) Factors that can cause the supply curve for bonds to shift to the left includeA) an expansion in overall economic activity. B) a decrease in expected inflation.C) an increase in government deficits. D) only (A) and (C) of the above.Answer: B

45) The economist Irving Fisher, after whom the Fisher effect is named, explained why interest rates _____ as the expected rate of inflation _____A) rise; increases.B) rise; stabilizes.C) rise; decreases.D) fall; increases.E) fall; stabilizes.Answer: A

46) An increase in the expected rate of inflation causes the demand curve for bonds to _____ and the supply curve for bonds to _____A) fall; fall.B) fall; rise.C) rise; fall.D) rise; rise.Answer: B

47) A decrease in the expected rate of inflation causes the demand curve for bonds to _____ and the supply curve of bonds to _____A) fall; fall.B) fall; rise.C) rise; fall.D) rise; rise.Answer: C

48) When the economy slips into a recession, normally the demand for bonds _____, the supply of bonds _____, and the interest rate _____A) increases; increases; rises.B) decreases; decreases; falls.C) increases; decreases; falls. D) decreases; increases; rises.Answer: B

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49) When the economy enters into a boom, normally the demand for bonds _____,the supply of bonds _____, and the interest rate _____A) increases; increases; rises.B) decreases; decreases; falls.C) increases; decreases; rises.D) decreases; increases; rises.Answer: A

Figure 4-2

50) In Figure 4-2, one possible explanation for the increase in the interest rate from i1 to i2 isA) an increase in the expected inflation rate. B) a decrease in the expected inflation rate.C) an increase in economic growth. D) a decrease in economic growth.Answer: C

51) In Figure 4-2, one possible explanation for the increase in the interest rate from i1to i2 isA) an increase in economic growth.B) an increase in government budget deficits.C) a decrease in government budget deficits.D) a decrease in economic growth.E) a decrease in the riskiness of bonds relative to other investments.Answer: A

52) In Figure 4-2, one possible explanation for a decrease in the interest rate from i2 to i1isA) an increase in economic growth.B) an increase in government budget deficits.C) an increase in expected inflation.D) a decrease in economic growth.E) a decrease in the riskiness of bonds relative to other investments.Answer: D

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53) In Keynes’s liquidity preference framework, individuals are assumed to hold their wealth in two forms:A) real assets and financial assets. B) stocks and bonds.C) money and bonds. D) money and gold.Answer: C

54) In his liquidity preference framework, Keynes assumed that money has a zero rate of return; thus,A) when interest rates rise, the expected return on money falls relative to the

expected return on bonds, causing the demand for money to fall.B) when interest rates rise, the expected return on money falls relative to the

expected return on bonds, causing the demand for money to rise.C) when interest rates fall, the expected return on money falls relative to the

expected return on bonds, causing the demand for money to fall.D) when interest rates fall, the expected return on money falls relative to the

expected return on bonds, causing the demand for money to rise.Answer: A

55) The loanable funds framework is easier to use when analyzing the effects of changes in _____, while the liquidity preference framework provides a simpler analysis of the effects from changes in income, the price level, and the supply of _____A) expected inflation; bonds.B) expected inflation; money.C) government budget deficits; bonds. D) the supply of money; bonds.Answer: B

56) When comparing the loanable funds and liquidity preference frameworks of interest rate determination, which of the following are true?A) The liquidity preference framework is easier to use when analyzing the effects

of changes in expected inflation.B) The loanable funds framework provides a simpler analysis of the effects of

changes in income, the price level, and the supply of money.C) In most instances, the two approaches to interest rate determination yield the

same predictions.D) All of the above are true.E) Only (A) and (B) of the above are true.Answer: C

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57) A higher level of income causes the demand for money to _____ and the interest rate to _____A) decrease; decrease.B) decrease; increase.C) increase; decrease.D) increase; increase.Answer: D

58) A lower level of income causes the demand for money to _____ and the interest rate to _____A) decrease; decrease.B) decrease; increase.C) increase; decrease.D) increase; increase.Answer: A

59) A rise in the price level causes the demand for money to _____ and the demandcurve to shift to the _____A) decrease; right.B) decrease; left.C) increase; right.D) increase; left.Answer: C

60) A decline in the price level causes the demand for money to _____ and the demandcurve to shift to the _____A) decrease; right.B) decrease; left.C) increase; right.D) increase; left.Answer: B

61) A decline in the expected inflation rate causes the demand for money to _____ and the demand curve to shift to the _____A) decrease; right.B) decrease; left.C) increase; right.D) increase; left.Answer: B

62) Holding everything else equal, a decrease in the money supply causesA) interest rates to decline initially.B) interest rates to increase initially.C) bond prices to increase initially.D) both (A) and (C) of the above.E) both (B) and (C) of the above.Answer: B

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Figure 4-3

63) In Figure 4-3, the factor responsible for the decline in the interest rate isA) a decline in the price level.B) a decline in income.C) an increase in the money supply. D) a decline in the expected inflation rate.Answer: C

64) In Figure 4-3, the decrease in the interest rate from i1 to i2 can be explained byA) a decrease in money growth. B) an increase in money growth.C) a decline in the expected price level.D) only (A) and (B) of the above.Answer: B

65) In Figure 4-3, an increase in the interest rate from i2 to i1 can be explained by A) a decrease in money growth. B) an increase in money growth.C) a decline in the price level.D) an increase in the expected price level.Answer: A

66) Of the four effects on interest rates from an increase in the money supply, the one that works in the opposite direction of the other three is theA) liquidity effect.B) income effect.C) price level effect.D) expected inflation effect.Answer: A

67) Of the four effects on interest rates from an increase in the money supply, the initial effect is, generally, theA) income effect.B) liquidity effect.C) price level effect.D) expected inflation effect.Answer: B

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68) If the liquidity effect is smaller than the other effects, and the adjustment of expected inflation is slow, then theA) interest rate will fall.B) interest rate will rise.C) interest rate will initially fall but eventually climb above the initial level in

response to an increase in money growth.D) interest rate will initially rise but eventually fall below the initial level in

response to an increase in money growth.Answer: C

69) When the growth rate of the money supply increases, interest rates end up being permanently lower ifA) the liquidity effect is larger than the other effects.B) there is fast adjustment of expected inflation.C) there is slow adjustment of expected inflation.D) the expected inflation effect is larger than the liquidity effect.Answer: A

70) When the growth rate of the money supply decreases, interest rates end up being permanently lower ifA) the liquidity effect is larger than the other effects.B) there is fast adjustment of expected inflation.C) there is slow adjustment of expected inflation.D) the expected inflation effect is larger than the liquidity effect.Answer: D

71) When the growth rate of the money supply is decreased, interest rates will rise immediately if the liquidity effect is _____ than the other effects and if there is _____ adjustment of expected inflation.A) larger; fastB) larger; slowC) smaller; slowD) smaller; fastAnswer: B

72) When the growth rate of the money supply is increased, interest rates will rise immediately if the liquidity effect is _____ than the other effects and if there is _____ adjustment of expected inflation.A) larger; fastB) larger; slowC) smaller; slowD) smaller; fastAnswer: D

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73) If the Fed wants to permanently lower interest rates, then it should lower the rate of money growth ifA) there is fast adjustment of expected inflation.B) there is slow adjustment of expected inflation.C) the liquidity effect is smaller than the expected inflation effect.D) the liquidity effect is larger than the other effects.Answer: C

74) If the Fed wants to permanently lower interest rates, then it should raise the rate of money growth ifA) there is fast adjustment of expected inflation.B) there is slow adjustment of expected inflation.C) the liquidity effect is smaller than the expected inflation effect.D) the liquidity effect is larger than the other effects.Answer: D

75) Holding everything else equal, an increase in the money supply causesA) interest rates to decline initially.B) interest rates to increase initially.C) bond prices to decline initially.D) both (A) and (C) of the above.E) both (B) and (C) of the above.Answer: A

76) It is entirely possible that when the money supply rises, interest rates may _____ if the _____ effect is more than offset by changes in income, the price level, and expected inflation.A) fall; liquidityB) fall; riskC) rise; liquidityD) rise; riskAnswer: C

77) Milton Friedman contends that it is entirely possible that when the money supply rises, interest rates may _____ if the _____ effect is more than offset by changes in income, the price level, and expected inflation.A) fall; liquidityB) fall; riskC) rise; liquidityD) rise; riskAnswer: C

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Figure 4-4

78) Figure 4-4 illustrates the effect of an increased rate of money supply growth. Fromthe figure, one can conclude that theA) liquidity effect is smaller than the expected inflation effect and interest rates

adjust quickly to changes in expected inflation.B) liquidity effect is larger than the expected inflation effect and interest rates

adjust quickly to changes in expected inflation.C) liquidity effect is larger than the expected inflation effect and interest rates

adjust slowly to changes in expected inflation.D) liquidity effect is smaller than the expected inflation effect and interest rates

adjust slowly to changes in expected inflation.Answer: A

79) Figure 4-4 illustrates the effect of an increased rate of money supply growth. Fromthe figure, one can conclude that theA) Fisher effect is dominated by the liquidity effect and interest rates adjust

slowly to changes in expected inflation.B) liquidity effect is dominated by the Fisher effect and interest rates adjust

slowly to changes in expected inflation.C) liquidity effect is dominated by the Fisher effect and interest rates adjust

quickly to changes in expected inflation.D) Fisher effect is smaller than the expected inflation effect and interest rates

adjust quickly to changes in expected inflation.Answer: C

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Figure 4-5

80) Figure 4-5 illustrates the effect of an increased rate of money supply growth.From the figure, one can conclude that theA) liquidity effect is smaller than the expected inflation effect and interest rates

adjust quickly to changes in expected inflation.B) liquidity effect is larger than the expected inflation effect and interest rates

adjust quickly to changes in expected inflation.C) liquidity effect is larger than the expected inflation effect and interest rates

adjust slowly to changes in expected inflation.D) liquidity effect is smaller than the expected inflation effect and interest rates

adjust slowly to changes in expected inflation.Answer: C

81) Figure 4-5 illustrates the effect of an increased rate of money supply growth.From the figure, one can conclude that theA) Fisher effect is dominated by the liquidity effect and interest rates adjust

slowly to changes in expected inflation.B) liquidity effect is dominated by the Fisher effect and interest rates adjust

slowly to changes in expected inflation.C) liquidity effect is dominated by the Fisher effect and interest rates adjust

quickly to changes in expected inflation.D) Fisher effect is smaller than the expected inflation effect and interest rates

adjust quickly to changes in expected inflation.Answer: A

4.2 True/False

1) When interest rates change, the demand curve for bonds shifts to the left.Answer: FALSE

2) When an economy grows out of a recession, normally the demand for bonds increases and the supply of bonds increases.Answer: TRUE

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3) When the federal government’s budget deficit decreases, the demand curve for bonds shifts to the right.Answer: FALSE

4) When the price level falls, the demand curve for money shifts to the left and the interest rate falls.Answer: TRUE

5) When the Federal Reserve increases the money stock, the money supply curve shifts to the left and the interest rate falls.Answer: FALSE

6) When the growth rate of the money supply increases, interest rates end up being permanently higher if the expected inflation effect is larger than the liquidity effect.Answer: TRUE

7) When income and wealth are rising, the demand for bonds rises and the demandcurve shifts to the right.Answer: TRUE

8) An increase in the inflation rate will cause the demand curve for bonds to shift to the right.Answer: FALSE

9) In Keynes’ liquidity preference framework, individuals are assumed to hold their wealth in the form of money and bonds.Answer: TRUE

10) An increase in the money supply will always lower interest rates.Answer: FALSE

4.3 Essay

1) Distinguish between interest rates, yield to maturity, and current yield.

2) Describe the cash flows received from ownership of a coupon bond. What are the sources of income?

3) What concept is used to value a bond?

4) Why are long-term bonds more risky than short-term bonds?

5) What is interest rate risk and how is it measured?

6) Explain why interest rates may rise when money supply growth increases.

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