[ 437 ] Economics GED ® TEST SOCIAL STUDIES FLASH REVIEW _____________ • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Use the information below to answer the following question. U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) Urban Consumers— U.S. City Average—All Items Year CPI (Annual Average) 1966 32.4 1971 40.5 1976 56.9 1981 90.9 1986 109.6 1991 136.2 1996 156.9 2001 177.1 2006 201.6 2011 218.0 The consumer price index (CPI) is an indicator of the general level of prices. It measures the average change of prices over time. The CPI consists of a set market basket of typical goods and services such as energy, food, housing, clothes, transportation, medical care, and entertainment. When the CPI goes down, consumers have to pay less for the same amount of goods and services. The CPI for all urban consumers covers about 80 percent of the total population. Based on the data in the chart, what is the most likely prediction for 2016? a. The U.S. trade deficit will worsen. b. Inflation will continue. c. Unemployment will rise. d. Americans will be able to afford more goods.