Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Social Science Practice Test

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What is a significant characteristic of oligopolies as a market structure?

  1. High barrier to entry

  2. Perfect competition

  3. Easy market access

  4. Numerous small businesses

The correct answer is: High barrier to entry

In an oligopoly, a significant characteristic is the existence of high barriers to entry, which makes it difficult for new competitors to enter the market. These barriers can manifest in various forms, such as significant capital investment, access to distribution channels, economies of scale enjoyed by existing firms, and legal regulations that protect established businesses. As a result, the market tends to be dominated by a few large firms, which can influence prices and output levels. This is in contrast to perfect competition, where many small firms exist and barriers to entry are low, or to a market structure with numerous small businesses, which aligns more with a competitive market. Therefore, the presence of high barriers ensures that only a limited number of firms can effectively compete in the market, thereby maintaining the oligopolistic structure.