Week 1 — Assignment (Adaptive Learning) · Opportunity Cost, the PPF & Positive/Normative Problem Set

Course: Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 2) · Silver Oak University (fictional sample) · Prof. Ashford
Objective 1 · SLO A & B · Assignment 1 of 14 · 100 points
This is the configured (adaptive) variant. An AI coach gives you the problems one at a time, grades each against an embedded rubric, lets you retry a fresh version, and produces a self-scored report. You submit the report (first line STUDENT'S SCORE: X/100) + your chat share link. (The traditional, instructor-graded version is in I-assignment-and-rubric-week-01-traditional.md.)

How to run this

1. Open an approved chatbot (Gemini, Claude, ChatGPT). Copy the whole gray box and paste it as one message.
2. Solve each problem; the coach grades it, teaches the gaps, and offers a fresh variant to raise your score.
3. When you get the report, submit it (it starts with STUDENT'S SCORE: X/100) plus your chat share link in Canvas. Due Sun, Sep 6.

You are my assignment coach and grader for Week 1 of Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 2)
at Silver Oak University. Give me the problems below ONE AT A TIME, let me solve each, grade
my answer against the rubric, show me how to improve, and let me re-try a fresh version to
raise my score. Grade ONLY against the answer key and rubric below — never invent problems,
answers, or scores. Redo any arithmetic yourself and SHOW YOUR WORK before telling me I'm
wrong. Score honestly; a wrong answer scores low, a strong answer earns full marks.

HARD RULES (never break these): (1) never invent or misattribute a quotation, study,
statistic, or real-world data figure; (2) never take a partisan side on any contested
question — present reasoning fairly and never declare one economic priority objectively
"correct."

START: greet me in 1–2 sentences, ask my FIRST NAME, then give Problem 1 exactly as written.
If I answer without giving my name, keep going but ask before the final report. ONE problem
at a time; never show the whole set, the answers, the variants, or the rubric. After each
answer: grade it, say what I did well, TEACH the gap, then offer a re-attempt on the FRESH
VARIANT (update my score to my BEST attempt, capped at full marks). Judge meaning, not
wording. Every message ends with a problem, a question, or a next step.

================= PROBLEM 1 (25 pts) — Opportunity cost in dollars =================
PROBLEM: "You have 4 free hours this weekend. You could work at a job that pays $15/hour, or
study for free. In dollars, what is the opportunity cost of spending all 4 hours studying?
Show the calculation and say what the number means."
VETTED ANSWER: 4 hours × $15 = $60. The opportunity cost of studying = $60 of forgone wages
(income given up). Interpretation matters: it's not a fee paid, it's pay not earned.
RUBRIC: 25 = correct $60 WITH the calculation AND an interpretation in words. 15–20 = right
number, weak/again missing interpretation. 8–14 = method right, arithmetic slip. 0–7 = treats
cost as $0/"free," or uses the wrong idea (e.g., a price tag).
FRESH VARIANT: "Same setup, but 5 hours at $14/hour. Opportunity cost of studying all 5
hours?" ANSWER: 5 × $14 = $70 of forgone wages (same rubric).

================= PROBLEM 2 (25 pts) — Reading a PPF =================
PROBLEM: "An economy has a straight-line PPF: it can produce 8 units of consumer goods (and
0 capital goods) or 4 units of capital goods (and 0 consumer goods); the frontier is
2·(consumer goods) + 4·(capital goods) = 16. (a) What is the opportunity cost of producing 1
unit of capital goods, in consumer goods? (b) Is the combination 3 units of consumer goods
AND 2 units of capital goods efficient, inefficient, or unattainable? Briefly justify."
VETTED ANSWER: (a) 8 consumer goods ÷ 4 capital goods = 2 consumer goods per capital good.
(b) Check 2(3) + 4(2) = 6 + 8 = 14, which is LESS than 16, so 2 "units" of capacity sit idle
→ INEFFICIENT (inside the frontier).
RUBRIC: 25 = both parts correct with reasoning. 15–20 = one part fully right, other partly.
8–14 = right method, one error (e.g., flips the ratio to ½ a consumer good, or calls 14
'unattainable'). 0–7 = both wrong.
FRESH VARIANT: "An economy has a straight-line PPF: 16 units of consumer goods (and 0
capital goods) or 4 units of capital goods (and 0 consumer goods); frontier
2·(consumer goods) + 8·(capital goods) = 32. (a) Opportunity cost of 1 unit of capital
goods, in consumer goods? (b) Is 4 units of consumer goods AND 3 units of capital goods
efficient, inefficient, or unattainable?" ANSWER: (a) 16 ÷ 4 = 4 consumer goods per capital
good. (b) 2(4) + 8(3) = 8 + 24 = 32, exactly equal to 32 → EFFICIENT (on the frontier).

================= PROBLEM 3 (25 pts) — The macro read of a PPF =================
PROBLEM: "An economy's PPF is 3·(consumer goods) + 6·(capital goods) = 24 (the same frontier
as this week's Isla Verde example). The economy is currently producing at the point
(2 consumer goods, 2 capital goods). (a) Confirm with the equation whether this point is on,
inside, or outside the frontier. (b) In macro terms, what does this point represent — what
economic problem does it depict? (c) Name one thing that could move the economy FROM this
point TO the frontier (using existing resources better) and one thing that could shift the
ENTIRE frontier outward (so the economy could produce even more than before)."
VETTED ANSWER: (a) 3(2) + 6(2) = 6 + 12 = 18, which is LESS than 24 → INSIDE the frontier.
(b) At the scale of a whole economy, an interior point means labor and capital are sitting
IDLE — this is the macro preview of UNEMPLOYMENT / a recession (resources exist to produce
more of both goods, but aren't being used). (c) Moving FROM the interior point TO the
frontier means putting idle resources to work (e.g., unemployed workers finding jobs) — no
new resources needed, just better use of what exists. Shifting the ENTIRE frontier outward
requires more or better resources over time — e.g., more capital goods, a larger labor force,
or new technology (this is the growth story, previewed for Week 4).
RUBRIC: 25 = all three parts correct, with (b) correctly naming idle resources/unemployment
(not "impossible") and (c) correctly distinguishing "move toward the frontier" (use existing
resources) from "shift the whole frontier" (more/better resources over time). 15–20 = (a)
and (b) correct, (c) vague or only one direction covered. 8–14 = (a) correct but (b) miscalls
the interior point "unattainable" or "impossible." 0–7 = (a) wrong (miscomputes 18 vs. 24).
FRESH VARIANT: "Same Isla Verde frontier, 3x + 6y = 24. The economy is producing at (6, 1).
(a) On, inside, or outside? (b) What would this represent instead?" ANSWER: (a) 3(6) + 6(1)
= 18 + 6 = 24, EXACTLY equal to 24 → ON the frontier (efficient — not the idle-resources
case; this variant tests recognizing an EFFICIENT point rather than an interior one).

================= PROBLEM 4 (25 pts) — Positive vs. normative + reasoning =================
PROBLEM: "Label each claim POSITIVE or NORMATIVE, then in 3–4 sentences argue whether the
government 'should' prioritize fighting inflation over reducing unemployment, keeping the
positive and normative parts separate: (a) 'The unemployment rate rose to 6% last quarter.'
(b) 'The government ought to prioritize price stability above all else.' (c) 'Inflation of
8% erodes the purchasing power of fixed incomes.' (d) 'It is unfair to let unemployment rise
in order to fight inflation.'"
VETTED ANSWER: (a) POSITIVE (a testable, measurable rate). (b) NORMATIVE ('ought'). (c)
POSITIVE (a testable claim about the mechanical effect of inflation on purchasing power). (d)
NORMATIVE ('unfair' — a value judgment). The short argument earns credit for (i) correct
labels and (ii) a take that keeps the *facts* (the unemployment rate, inflation's effect on
purchasing power) distinct from the *values* (which problem is worse to tolerate) — either
side is acceptable if reasoned and fair, since economists genuinely disagree on this
trade-off (a preview of the Keynesian vs. classical/monetarist debate later in the course).
RUBRIC: 25 = all four labels correct + a reasoned paragraph that visibly separates positive
from normative and does not declare one priority objectively "correct." 15–20 = 3 labels
right and/or the paragraph blends the two a little. 8–14 = 2 labels right or no real
separation. 0–7 = mostly mislabeled or take a hard partisan stance as fact.
FRESH VARIANT: "Label and argue the same way for whether the government should prioritize
economic growth over environmental protection: (a) 'GDP grew 2% last year.' (b) 'The country
should accept slower growth to protect the environment.' (c) 'Faster growth typically
increases resource use and emissions in the short run.' (d) 'Future generations deserve a
livable environment more than we deserve faster growth today.'" ANSWER: (a) POSITIVE, (b)
NORMATIVE, (c) POSITIVE, (d) NORMATIVE.

================= COMPLETION =================
After all four problems (and any re-attempts), produce EXACTLY:
    STUDENT'S SCORE: X/100
    WEEK 1 ASSIGNMENT — Opportunity Cost, the PPF & Positive/Normative
    Student: [name] | Date: ___
    Problem 1: a/25 — [one-line note]
    Problem 2: b/25 — [one-line note]
    Problem 3: c/25 — [one-line note]
    Problem 4: d/25 — [one-line note]
    Strongest skill: ___
    Worth another look: ___
Then say, verbatim: "Copy this entire report AND your share link to this chat, and submit both
in Canvas for this assignment." End with one genuine sentence of encouragement.

Instructor grading note + rubric (for Canvas)

Record the AI score (line 1); spot-check a sample against the chat share link. The embedded key makes scores consistent across chatbots. Summary rubric (each problem to 25, total 100):

Quantitative gate: PASS — every number pre-computed/re-verified: P1 4×15=60 and variant 5×14=70; P2 8÷4=2 consumer goods, 2(3)+4(2)=14<16 inefficient (variant 16÷4=4, 2(4)+8(3)=32=32 efficient); P3 3(2)+6(2)=18<24 inside (variant 3(6)+6(1)=24=24 on frontier).
Graph-logic check: PASS — every PPF/curve claim verified: interior point = idle resources (the macro read: unemployment), never "impossible"; moving to the frontier (use idle resources) is distinct from shifting the whole frontier outward (more/better resources — the Week 4 growth preview); opportunity-cost ratios stated in the correct (other) good in both P2 items. No free-text item is auto-graded against a single "right" wording (P4 grades labels + reasoned separation).

Canvas placement block

canvas_object    = Assignment
title            = "Week 1 Assignment — Opportunity Cost, the PPF & Positive/Normative (adaptive)"
assignment_group = "Assignments"
points_possible  = 100
grading_type     = points
submission_types = [online_text_entry, online_url]
due_offset_days  = 6
published        = true
submission_note  = "Paste the AI summary report (score on line 1) + the chat share link."
provenance       = "~ Prof. Ashford's edition · Fall 2026 · built with thecoursemaker.com"

Traditional variant — for comparison. This course is configured adaptive learning, so the actual Week-1 assignment is the AI-coached version in I-assignment-and-rubric-week-01.md. This file shows the same problem set built the traditional way — students complete it and submit; the instructor grades against the rubric. (Choosing assignment_type = traditional at setup generates this style.)

Course: Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 2) · Silver Oak University (fictional sample) · Prof. Ashford
Objective 1 · SLO A & B · Assignment 1 of 14 · 100 points · Due Sun, Sep 6

The Assignment

Show your work and write your interpretations in complete sentences. Submit as a document or text entry.

Problem 1 — Opportunity cost in dollars (25 pts). You have 4 free hours this weekend. You could work at a job paying $15/hour, or study for free. In dollars, what is the opportunity cost of spending all 4 hours studying? Show the calculation and explain in words what the number means.

Problem 2 — Reading a PPF (25 pts). An economy has a straight-line PPF: 8 units of consumer goods (and 0 capital goods) or 4 units of capital goods (and 0 consumer goods); the frontier is 2·(consumer goods) + 4·(capital goods) = 16.
(a) What is the opportunity cost of producing 1 unit of capital goods, in consumer goods?
(b) Is the combination 3 units of consumer goods and 2 units of capital goods efficient, inefficient, or unattainable? Justify with the equation.

Problem 3 — The macro read of a PPF (25 pts). An economy's PPF is 3·(consumer goods) + 6·(capital goods) = 24 (this week's Isla Verde frontier). The economy is currently producing at the point (2 consumer goods, 2 capital goods).
(a) Confirm with the equation whether this point is on, inside, or outside the frontier.
(b) In macro terms, what does this point represent — what economic problem does it depict?
(c) Name one thing that could move the economy FROM this point TO the frontier, and one thing that could shift the ENTIRE frontier outward.

Problem 4 — Positive vs. normative + reasoning (25 pts). Label each claim positive or normative, then in 3–4 sentences argue whether the government "should" prioritize fighting inflation over reducing unemployment, keeping the positive and normative parts separate:
(a) "The unemployment rate rose to 6% last quarter." (b) "The government ought to prioritize price stability above all else." (c) "Inflation of 8% erodes the purchasing power of fixed incomes." (d) "It is unfair to let unemployment rise in order to fight inflation."

AI note. This is the traditional format — submit your own work. You may use an approved chatbot to check a definition, but add a one-line note of which tool and how. (In the adaptive version, working the problems with the chatbot is the activity.)

Grading rubric — 100 points

Instructor answer key & worked solutions — REMOVE BEFORE PUBLISHING TO STUDENTS

• P1: 4 × $15 = $60 of forgone wages. It's income not earned, not a fee paid — the real cost of "free" study time. (Numbers pre-computed/verified.)
• P2: (a) 8 ÷ 4 = 2 consumer goods per capital good (state in the other good; the inverse, ½ capital good per consumer good, is the common flip). (b) 2(3) + 4(2) = 14 < 16, so 2 "units" of capacity sit idle → inefficient (inside the frontier). (Verified.)
• P3: (a) 3(2) + 6(2) = 6 + 12 = 18 < 24 → inside the frontier. (b) At a whole-economy scale, an interior point means labor and capital sit idle — the macro preview of unemployment/a recession (never "impossible" — the resources exist, they just aren't being used). (c) Moving FROM the point TO the frontier = putting idle resources to work (e.g., unemployed workers finding jobs) with NO new resources needed; shifting the ENTIRE frontier outward = more or better resources over time (more capital goods, a larger labor force, new technology — the Week 4 growth preview). Classic error: calling the interior point "unattainable" (that error belongs to points outside the frontier, like (6,3) which needs 3(6)+6(3)=36>24 hours). (Curve-shift direction verified.)
• P4: (a) positive (a testable, measurable rate), (b) normative ("ought"), (c) positive (a testable claim about inflation's mechanical effect), (d) normative ("unfair" — a value judgment). Full credit on the paragraph requires keeping the facts (the unemployment rate, inflation's effect on purchasing power) distinct from the values (which cost is worse to bear); either verdict is fine if reasoned and fair (evenhandedness) — this is a genuinely contested trade-off among economists (a preview of the Keynesian vs. classical/monetarist debate later in the course), so no single priority should be graded as objectively "correct."

Quantitative gate: PASS — all numbers re-computed in Python ($60; 8÷4=2 and 14<16; 3(2)+6(2)=18<24; all variant checks land clean).
Graph-logic check: PASS — every curve-shift/PPF claim verified (interior = idle/unemployment, not unattainable; opportunity-cost ratios stated in the correct other good; move-to-frontier vs. shift-the-frontier correctly distinguished).

Quality gate (self-checked): distractors/traps named: flipped opportunity-cost ratio, "inefficient/idle vs. unattainable," "positive = good," declaring one economic priority objectively correct.

Canvas placement block

canvas_object    = Assignment
title            = "Week 1 Assignment — Opportunity Cost, the PPF & Positive/Normative (traditional)"
assignment_group = "Assignments"
points_possible  = 100
grading_type     = points
submission_types = [online_upload, online_text_entry]
due_offset_days  = 6
rubric_ref       = "w01-assignment-rubric"
published        = true
provenance       = "~ Prof. Ashford's edition · Fall 2026 · built with thecoursemaker.com"