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Quiz for Primary Source 17.3: Adam Smith on the Division of Labor

Question

1. According to Smith, by how much did the division of labor increase productivity in the pin industry?

From around 10 pins per worker per day to around 4,800 pins per worker per day

From around 100 pins per worker per day to around 500 pins per worker per day

From around 200 pins per worker per day to around 900 pins per worker per day

From around 10 pins per worker per day to around 50,000 pins per worker per day

Correct. The answer is a. Smith estimated that using a division of labor, 10 men could make about 12 pounds of pins per day, which worked out to 4,800 pins per worker per day.

Incorrect. The answer is a. Smith estimated that using a division of labor, 10 men could make about 12 pounds of pins per day, which worked out to 4,800 pins per worker per day.

Question

2. Which of these negative effects might an eighteenth-century critic of Smith have attributed to the division of labor Smith described?

Increased mortality rates among the working poor

A higher rate of illegitimate births

Increased immorality among the poor

Increased unemployment

Correct. The answer is d. A critic might argue that, as productivity rose, fewer and fewer workers would be needed to meet market demand for pins.

Incorrect. The answer is d. A critic might argue that, as productivity rose, fewer and fewer workers would be needed to meet market demand for pins.