Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

What relationship is depicted between wheat prices and malt barley prices from 1650 to 1705?

1. Wheat prices and malt barley prices generally rose and fell independently

2. Wheat prices and malt barley prices generally rose and fell together

3. Wheat prices were always higher than malt barley prices

4. Wheat prices influenced malt barley prices significantly

The correct answer is: Wheat prices and malt barley prices generally rose and fell together

The relationship depicted between wheat prices and malt barley prices from 1650 to 1705 shows a correlation where both commodities tended to rise and fall together. This can be attributed to several factors, including agricultural practices and market demands of the time, where fluctuations in the price of one grain could directly affect the price dynamics of the other. Agricultural economics during this period suggested that the fluctuations in supply and demand for staple crops like wheat, which were foundational to the diet and economy, also had a significant impact on the market for malt barley, often used for brewing and as livestock feed. Therefore, as wheat prices experienced increases due to shortages or demand spikes, malt barley prices typically mirrored this trend due to the interconnected nature of agricultural markets and consumer habits. This relationship underscores the idea that these grains were not only competing products but also related commodities in a broader economic context, making it evident that the market behaviors of wheat and malt barley were intertwined during this timeframe.