Here are the correct answers to the questions you've posed:
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Labor demand is more elastic the greater the elasticity of substitution between labor and capital because:
C. A firm is less willing to pay higher labor costs if it is easy for the firm to substitute capital for labor.
- When labor and capital can be easily substituted for one another, firms can adjust their use of labor in response to changes in wages, leading to a more elastic demand for labor.
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When the government imposes a payroll tax on workers in a competitive labor market:
A. The effects are identical to the effects had the government imposed the tax on employers.
- In a competitive labor market, whether the tax is levied on workers or employers, the economic effect on wages and employment is the same, as the burden of the tax is shared due to the interaction of supply and demand.
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If ability is positively related to schooling, then estimating the returns to education directly from the wage schooling profile will likely:
B. Over-estimate the return to schooling.
- If more able individuals tend to attain higher education levels, then the observed wage differences by education level may reflect differences in ability rather than solely the returns to schooling.
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What is meant by the “skill-biased technological change” explanation of increasing inequality?
D. Inequality has increased because technological advances complemented the productivity of skilled labor relative to unskilled labor.
- This explanation posits that technological advancements have disproportionately benefited skilled workers, leading to greater income inequality.
If you have further questions or need more clarification, feel free to ask!