The national debt:
A)is the sum of all past federal surpluses.
B)grows when the government runs a deficit.
C)grows when the government runs a surplus.
D)did not exist until 1998.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The national debt grows when the government runs a deficit, meaning it spends more money than it brings in through taxes and other sources of revenue. Therefore, choice B is the best answer. Choice A is incorrect because the national debt includes all past deficits, not surpluses. Choice C is incorrect because running a surplus would actually decrease the national debt. Choice D is incorrect because the national debt has existed since the founding of the United States, although it has fluctuated in size over time.

The National Debt