HBC PAST QUIZ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026
UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
Which of the following has the greatest negative externalities?
a. Chewing nicotine gum in order to quit smoking
b. Smoking e-cigarettes
c. Smoking in a restaurant
d. Chewing tobacco Answer - c. Smoking in a resturant
Which statement best describes how the concept of "tragedy of the commons"
is related to drought in California?
a. If people realize that their own water use is problematic, they will instantly
decide to use less water.
b.. There may be individual benefit in consuming more water, but there is a
crisis if all individuals consume more water.
c. It is easy for people to observe with their own eyes the impact that their
water use is having on the amount of water available to the community.
d. The tragedy of the commons refers to people using a common source of
drinking water that is highly polluted. Answer - B. There may be individual
benefit in consuming more water, but there is a crisis if all individuals consume
more water
If all householders and farmers use water based on their individual
preferences, there will not be enough water to maintain vegetation cover,
provide wildlife habitat and fight wildfires. How might economists apply the
,concept of negative externalities to efforts to reduce overall water use in
California?
a. Rates for household water should be kept low, so that water is affordable for
the poor.
b. Water for agricultural purposes should be subsidized, so that agricultural
production is
maintained at a high level.
c. Water is needed to flush toilets, therefore it must be provided at an
affordable price.
d. Prices charged for household water should be increased to spur reduced
personal water consumption. Answer - d. Prices charged for household water
should be increased to spur reduced personal water consumption
Which answer choice is an example of xeriscaping?
a. Promoting men's electric shaving razors that have energy-saving features.
b. Replacing lawns with drought-tolerant vegetation such as cacti.
c. Planting more palm trees on Hollywood Boulevard to make Hollywood
greener and
more beautiful.
d. Fertilize lawns with products that make the lawns greener and richer. Answer
- b. Replacing lawns with drought-tolerant vegetation
, Which water conservation tip from California's Public Utilities Commission is
the most specific and measureable behavioral recommendation?
a. Use a broom instead of a hose
b. Take shorter showers
c. Install water-saving devices
d. Turn off water while brushing your teeth Answer - d. Turn off water while
brushing your teeth
Which of these behaviors could NOT be considered as a habitual behavior or
habit?
a. Leaving the water running in the bathroom sink while brushing teeth
b. Installation of a low flow showerhead
c. Flushing the toilet immediately after each use
d. Taking a lengthy shower Answer - b. Installation of a low flow shower head
Which of the following is NOT a way that California's government can address
the negative externalities related to habitual over-consumption of water?
a. Make certain water conservation behaviors required
b. Make certain water use behaviors forbidden
c. Build new pumping stations to maintain sufficient water pressure in all
homes
d. Increase the cost of household water Answer - C. Build new pumping
stations to maintain sufficient water pressure in all homes
UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
Which of the following has the greatest negative externalities?
a. Chewing nicotine gum in order to quit smoking
b. Smoking e-cigarettes
c. Smoking in a restaurant
d. Chewing tobacco Answer - c. Smoking in a resturant
Which statement best describes how the concept of "tragedy of the commons"
is related to drought in California?
a. If people realize that their own water use is problematic, they will instantly
decide to use less water.
b.. There may be individual benefit in consuming more water, but there is a
crisis if all individuals consume more water.
c. It is easy for people to observe with their own eyes the impact that their
water use is having on the amount of water available to the community.
d. The tragedy of the commons refers to people using a common source of
drinking water that is highly polluted. Answer - B. There may be individual
benefit in consuming more water, but there is a crisis if all individuals consume
more water
If all householders and farmers use water based on their individual
preferences, there will not be enough water to maintain vegetation cover,
provide wildlife habitat and fight wildfires. How might economists apply the
,concept of negative externalities to efforts to reduce overall water use in
California?
a. Rates for household water should be kept low, so that water is affordable for
the poor.
b. Water for agricultural purposes should be subsidized, so that agricultural
production is
maintained at a high level.
c. Water is needed to flush toilets, therefore it must be provided at an
affordable price.
d. Prices charged for household water should be increased to spur reduced
personal water consumption. Answer - d. Prices charged for household water
should be increased to spur reduced personal water consumption
Which answer choice is an example of xeriscaping?
a. Promoting men's electric shaving razors that have energy-saving features.
b. Replacing lawns with drought-tolerant vegetation such as cacti.
c. Planting more palm trees on Hollywood Boulevard to make Hollywood
greener and
more beautiful.
d. Fertilize lawns with products that make the lawns greener and richer. Answer
- b. Replacing lawns with drought-tolerant vegetation
, Which water conservation tip from California's Public Utilities Commission is
the most specific and measureable behavioral recommendation?
a. Use a broom instead of a hose
b. Take shorter showers
c. Install water-saving devices
d. Turn off water while brushing your teeth Answer - d. Turn off water while
brushing your teeth
Which of these behaviors could NOT be considered as a habitual behavior or
habit?
a. Leaving the water running in the bathroom sink while brushing teeth
b. Installation of a low flow showerhead
c. Flushing the toilet immediately after each use
d. Taking a lengthy shower Answer - b. Installation of a low flow shower head
Which of the following is NOT a way that California's government can address
the negative externalities related to habitual over-consumption of water?
a. Make certain water conservation behaviors required
b. Make certain water use behaviors forbidden
c. Build new pumping stations to maintain sufficient water pressure in all
homes
d. Increase the cost of household water Answer - C. Build new pumping
stations to maintain sufficient water pressure in all homes
