Guided Reading Activity: The American Free Enterprise System
Lesson 1: American Free Enterprise Capitalism
Review Questions
A. Characteristics of Free Enterprise Capitalism
Main Idea: The five characteristics of free enterprise capitalism are economic freedom, voluntary exchange, private property, the profit motive, and competition.
1. An economy based on free enterprise has both __________ and __________
__________
2. Economic freedom grants the ability to __________ the things you want and __________
where and for whom you want. Businesses can __________ the workers they want and are free to
__________ success or failure.
3. In a __________ exchange, buyers acquire items they believe are worth __________ than
the money charged, while __________ believe the item sold is worth __________ than the
cash paid. Both parties believe they __________ from the transaction.
4. In a capitalistic system, people can do whatever they choose to their property due to __________
__________ Additionally, they have the opportunity to __________
and __________ based on the value of their property.
5. The __________ __________ drives producers to improve their __________ well-
being. Because of this, the lure of __________ guarantees a constant supply of goods and
services from all kind of producers.
6. Capitalism helps ensure __________ resources are used efficiently by promoting
__________ among producers.