Social Studies Praxis Practice Test

Which of the following is NOT an example of a factor of production?

1. A. Capital

2. B. Demand

3. C. Labor

4. D. Land

The correct answer is: B. Demand

The concept of factors of production is fundamental in economics and refers to the inputs used to produce goods and services. These factors are typically classified into four categories: land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship. Capital refers to the tools, machinery, and buildings used in the production process. Labor represents the human effort that is applied in the production of goods and services. Land covers all natural resources that are used to produce goods, such as minerals, forests, and water. Entrepreneurship involves the initiative to combine these resources to create products or services. Demand, on the other hand, is not a factor of production; rather, it refers to the desire and ability of consumers to purchase goods and services. It plays a crucial role in the economy, influencing how resources are allocated, but it does not contribute directly to production in the same way that land, labor, and capital do. Hence, identifying demand as a non-factor of production underscores the distinction between what is necessary to create goods versus what drives their consumption.