Economic or Economical?

by Vocafy Verifisert

Engelsk (US) B2 12 spørsmål Words & expressions

Explore the difference between matters of the economy and choices that save money, materials, or effort.

1. 1. Fyll inn det tomme feltet.

   The report measures ___ growth by looking at how much the country produces.

   • economic
   • economical

   The sentence concerns the country's economy.

   Show solution

   The report measures economic growth by looking at how much the country produces.

   “Economic growth” means an increase in the goods and services an economy produces.

2. 2. Velg riktig svar.

   What does “economical” emphasize about the car?

   “This car is economical: it uses very little gas.”

   • It plays an important role in the national economy.
   • It uses fuel efficiently, keeping running costs low.

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   • It uses fuel efficiently, keeping running costs low.

   For vehicles, “economical” commonly describes low fuel use and low running costs.

3. 3. Velg riktig svar.

   What makes this an “economic” policy?

   The government is reviewing its economic policy on taxes and trade.

   • It is designed to cost as little as possible.
   • It concerns only the government's office expenses.
   • It deals with how the economy works.

   Show solution

   • It deals with how the economy works.

   Taxes, trade, and employment are common subjects of economic policy.

4. 4. Fyll inn det tomme feltet.

   The clothing pattern wastes almost no material, so the designer calls it “___ with fabric.”

   • economical
   • economic

   The focus is on avoiding waste.

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   The clothing pattern wastes almost no material, so the designer calls it “economical with fabric.”

   “Economical with” can describe careful use of a resource, not just money.

5. 5. Velg riktig svar.

   Which description matches the lifetime cost comparison?

   An LED bulb costs more to buy than an older bulb, but it uses less electricity and costs less overall during its lifetime.

   • The older bulb is more economical over its lifetime.
   • The LED bulb is more economical over its lifetime.
   • Both bulbs are equally economical over their lifetimes.

   The purchase price is only part of the total cost.

   Show solution

   • The LED bulb is more economical over its lifetime.

   A higher-priced product can be more economical when its running costs are lower.

6. 6. Fyll inn det tomme feltet.

   Her summary is ___ with words: it explains the main idea clearly in just two sentences.

   • economic
   • economical

   Think about how much language the summary uses.

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   Her summary is economical with words: it explains the main idea clearly in just two sentences.

   “Economical with words” describes clear expression without unnecessary wording.

7. 7. Velg riktig svar.

   What does “economic” refer to here?

   The storm had serious economic consequences: shops closed and workers lost income.

   • The storm's effects on businesses and earnings.
   • The money saved by carrying out repairs cheaply.

   Show solution

   • The storm's effects on businesses and earnings.

   “Economic” does not suggest a benefit: economic effects can include losses and hardship.

8. 8. Velg riktig svar.

   What does “economical” describe in this example?

   “I combined three errands into one trip. That was an economical use of my time.”

   • Earning more money for each hour of work.
   • Avoiding unnecessary travel and effort.

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   • Avoiding unnecessary travel and effort.

   “Economical” can describe saving time or effort even when no financial saving is mentioned.

9. 9. Velg riktig svar.

   Why could the policy be described as both “economic” and “economical”?

   The policy supports local businesses, and its simple application process uses very little staff time or public money.

   • Both adjectives always mean inexpensive.
   • Both adjectives apply only to government decisions.
   • It concerns the economy and is efficient to administer.

   The two adjectives can describe different aspects of the same policy.

   Show solution

   • It concerns the economy and is efficient to administer.

   The words are not opposites: something can concern the economy and also use resources efficiently.

10. 10. Velg riktig svar.

    What is the report examining?

    The housing report focuses on economic inequality, not on economical ways to build homes.

    • Differences in people's income and wealth.
    • Methods of constructing homes at low cost.

    Notice which noun follows each adjective.

    Show solution

    • Differences in people's income and wealth.

    “Economic inequality” concerns unequal financial resources; “economical” building methods reduce costs or waste.

11. 11. Velg riktig svar.

    What does “economical” mean under this condition?

    “The annual pass is economical only if you visit regularly. For occasional visits, individual tickets cost less overall.”

    • The pass must have a low purchase price.
    • The pass offers better value only when used often enough.
    • The pass saves money regardless of how often it is used.

    Show solution

    • The pass offers better value only when used often enough.

    Whether a choice is economical can depend on how someone uses it, not just its listed price.

12. 12. Velg riktig svar.

    What does this wording tell us about the subsidy?

    The article calls the subsidy “an economic measure,” but it never calls it “economical.”

    • It wastes money because the article does not call it economical.
    • It is inexpensive because economic and economical mean the same thing.
    • It relates to the economy; its cost efficiency is not stated.

    A missing description does not prove its opposite.

    Show solution

    • It relates to the economy; its cost efficiency is not stated.

    Not calling something “economical” does not mean it is wasteful; that question remains open.