Question 1

The purpose of the Current Population Survey is to determine the

Accepted Answer

The Current Population Survey is conducted by the US Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the employment status of the population. It collects data on individuals’ age, race, gender, education, as well as their current employment status, occupation, and industry. This survey is used by policymakers, economists, and researchers to understand the labor market dynamics, unemployment rates, and to develop labor and social policies.

Question 2

Which of the following people would be classified as employed in the Current Population Survey?

Accepted Answer

A

Question 3

If Brian, age 24, had no job but was available for work and had looked for a job the week before the survey, Brian is classified in the Current Population Survey as

Accepted Answer

According to the definition of unemployment, Brian is unemployed because he is available for work and has actively looked for a job in the previous week. Therefore, he is not classified as discouraged worker or not in the labor force. He is also not excluded from the working-age population as he is 24 years old.

Question 4

In order to obtain the data used to calculate the unemployment rate, the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Accepted Answer

The Bureau of Labor Statistics obtains the data used to calculate the unemployment rate through a survey of 60,000 households. This survey is called the Current Population Survey (CPS) and it is conducted by the Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The answers from this survey help determine who is employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force, which are the categories used to calculate the unemployment rate.

Question 5

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)compiles information about employment by

Accepted Answer

The BLS performs a monthly survey of 60,000 households to compile information about employment. This survey is known as the Current Population Survey (CPS) and it is the primary source of labor force statistics for the United States. The other options listed are not accurate methods used by the BLS to gather information about employment.

Question 6

Phillip is a 22-year old who has no job and is available for work, but has not actively looked for a job in the last month. The Current Population Survey identifies Phillip as ________, ________ the labor force, and ________ the working-age population.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Phillip is a 22-year old who has...

Question 7

If the number of people in the labor force ________, then ________.

Accepted Answer

If the number of people in the labor force increases, it means more people are either employed or actively seeking employment, which would increase the labor force participation rate. This does not necessarily mean that the unemployment rate will decrease, as it depends on the number of people who are unemployed in relation to the total labor force.

Question 8

In the Current Population Survey, a person is considered unemployed if the person

Accepted Answer

The Current Population Survey considers a person to be unemployed if they do not have a job and are actively looking for a job. This definition excludes those who are not looking for work, such as students or retirees, as well as those who are working part-time or without pay. Therefore, choice D is the correct answer as it reflects the definition of unemployment used in the survey.

Question 9

If KeKe, age 32, worked 12 hours as a paid employee the week before the Current Population Survey, KeKe is classified in the Current Population Survey as ________ when calculating the unemployment rate.

Accepted Answer

KeKe worked as a paid employee for 12 hours during the week before the survey, hence she falls under the category of "employed" while calculating the unemployment rate.

Question 10

Using the table above, the Current Population Survey classifies the group of individuals obtained by adding groups 5 and 6 as

Accepted Answer

Group 5 (unemployed but looking for work) and Group 6 (not in the labor force but want a job) together represent individuals who are willing and able to work, which is the definition of the labor force. Therefore, the answer is B.

Question 11

After graduating from college, Yunis, age 22, started working for his parents' real estate business as an unpaid assistant. He works 25 hours a week helping manage rental units. In the Current Population Survey, Yunis is considered

Accepted Answer

Yunis is part of the labor force because he is actively working and willing to work, even if he is not getting paid. He is also considered employed, as he is working for his family's business.

Question 12

To be considered unemployed, a worker must have had

Accepted Answer

To be considered unemployed, a worker must have had no employment during the week before the survey and actively looking for a job. Part-time employment while actively looking for a full-time job falls under the category of underemployment, but not unemployment. Option C is incorrect because being a student is not the criteria for being unemployed or employed. Option D is incorrect because it only considers the day before the survey, whereas it should consider the entire week before the survey. Option E is incorrect because option B is not a correct statement.

Question 13

The following are groups of individuals in the population:
1. Individuals who are under 16
2. Individuals in institutional care
3. Individual in the armed forces
4. Individuals working for pay at a fulltime job
5. Individuals who are employed
6. Individuals not employed but were available for work and were looking for work
7. Individuals not employed and looking for work
-Using the table above, the Current Population Survey classifies the group of individuals who are left after subtracting from the total population groups 1, 2, and 3 as

Accepted Answer

The group of individuals left after subtracting groups 1, 2, and 3 includes individuals who are potentially able to work, which is typically defined as the working-age population.

Question 14

Suppose a 23-year old graduate student is looking for a full-time job , but has to take a part-time job instead. He or she will be categorized in the Current Population Survey as ________ when calculating the unemployment rate.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Suppose a 23-year old graduate student is...

Question 15

The working-age population consists of all the people in the population

Accepted Answer

The working-age population includes all individuals who are 16 years of age or older, who are not institutionalized or in the armed forces, and who are eligible to work. The upper age limit is not fixed; it is based on retirement age and life expectancy. Option A (aged 16 and over) is too broad, as it may include individuals who are institutionalized, in the armed forces, or not capable of working. Option B (aged 16 to 65) is too narrow, as it excludes individuals who are older than 65 but still eligible to work. Option D (aged 21 and over) is too specific and excludes individuals between the ages of 16 and 21 who may be eligible to work. Option E (who are employed plus the unemployed people) is incorrect, as it only includes individuals who are currently employed or seeking employment, and excludes those who may not be in the labor force.

Question 16

An unpaid worker in a family business is classified as

Accepted Answer

The answer of An unpaid worker in a family business...

Question 17

The working-age population includes

Accepted Answer

The working-age population includes both employed and unemployed individuals over the age of 16. Jailed individuals and those in hospitals are excluded from the working-age population, as they are not able to participate in the labor force. Youngsters between the ages of 14 and 16 are also excluded, even if they are working part-time. Individuals in the Army may be included in the working-age population if they are over the age of 16 and employed or seeking employment.

Question 18

Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

According to the International Labor Organization, to be classified as employed, an individual must work at least 1 hour per week at a paid job or 15 hours or more as an unpaid worker in their family business. This includes part-time workers who work less than 40 hours per week. Therefore, option D is the correct choice.

Question 19

Using the table above, the Current Population Survey classifies the group of individuals who are left after subtracting from the total population groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 as

Accepted Answer

The table provided only shows data for groups 1-6. Therefore, the group left after subtracting from the total population must be the individuals who are not in any of these groups, indicating that they are not in the labor force.

Question 20

Rob is considered unemployed in the Current Population Survey if he

Accepted Answer

According to the definition provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment is defined as the number of people who are jobless, actively seeking work, and available to take a job. Therefore, if Rob has looked for a job in the last four weeks but has not found a job, he is considered unemployed in the Current Population Survey. Choices B, C, D, and E do not meet the criteria for unemployment.

Quiz 15: Jobs and Unemployment