International Baccalaureate (IB) Practice Exam

Which of the following is not a true statement?

1. Americans learned to borrow amidst post-WWII prosperity.

2. After 1970, consumer debt skyrocketed.

3. The credit industry in America has not changed much since 1917.

4. As banks made higher profits, they were willing to lend more money to consumers.

The correct answer is: The credit industry in America has not changed much since 1917.

The choice identifying that the credit industry in America has not changed much since 1917 is accurate because the credit landscape has evolved significantly over the decades, particularly in terms of regulations, consumer access to credit, and the types of credit products available. Post-World War II, various socio-economic changes led to the expansion and transformation of consumer credit. The advent of credit cards and the relaxation of lending policies are examples of this evolution, contributing to a more dynamic and complex credit industry. In contrast, the other statements reflect true historical trends: Americans did begin to rely more heavily on borrowing in the post-WWII era due to increased consumer confidence and economic prosperity; consumer debt did indeed climb steeply after the 1970s, driven by various economic conditions; and banks' increasing profitability allowed them to extend more credit to consumers, facilitating easier access to loans and credit. Each of these scenarios illustrates the significant changes and developments in the American credit landscape, underscoring the inaccuracies of the chosen statement regarding the stability of the credit industry since 1917.