Look at the image and decide if it represents a need (something necessary for survival) or a want (something humans desire to improve our standard of living)

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To approach this question, I’ll consider what the image suggests about basic requirements for survival versus desires that improve living standards.
Option a: 'a. Need' — This choice aligns with the concept that a need is something essential for survival or basic functioning. The image shows a power plant, which represents a foundational utility (electricity) required for heating, lighting, communications, and many daily activities. In many contexts, access to reliable energy is treated as a basic necessity for modern living, not merely a luxury.
Option b: 'b. Want' — A want is typically something desirable that is not essential for immediate survival. While electricity can enhance quality of life, the core function of a power plant is to supply energy that society depends on, which many would classify as a fundamental need rather than a mere want. If interpreted as a want, one would have to argue that people could live without electricity, which contradicts the everyday dependence on power for basic survival and safety.
In summary, the image depicts a utility infrastructure that supports essential life-sustaining processes (lighting, heating, communication, safety, etc.). Therefore, identifying it as a need is consistent with the idea of survival-related requirements rather than a discretionary desire. The incorrect option would claim it is only a want, which ignores the critical role such infrastructure plays in meeting basic human needs and public health and safety standards.

MUF0061 Economics Unit 1 - Semester 1, 2025 Do you really need to have that product?

Look at the image and decide if it represents a need (something necessary for survival) or a want (something humans desire to improve our standard of living)

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