Economics · Level 2 · 171 words

The Cost of One More Potter

Original passage © Studio AM, written for Fluency.

A community pottery room has costs before anyone shapes a bowl. Before anyone arrives, the group must pay for rent, tables, shelves, and a kiln. These are fixed costs because they do not change much when one more member joins.

Other expenses grow with use. One more pot requires clay, glaze, kiln space, and some cleanup. Economists call the added expense a marginal cost. It is usually smaller than the full cost of operating the studio. That difference explains why sharing can make an expensive craft more affordable. Many members divide the fixed costs, while each person still covers the materials they use.

Yet the room has a limit. By contrast, the savings shrink after every worktable is taken. The group may need longer hours or another kiln firing. Once the room is full, the next member can cause a large jump in cost. Good pricing therefore considers both shared savings and capacity. A low fee may welcome members, but it must also keep the tables, tools, and kiln working well.

Comprehension questions

Choose an answer, then check your work. Nothing is saved or sent.

4 questions
1. What is the passage mainly about?

Show answer for question 1

C. A shared studio lowers costs by dividing fixed expenses, but limited capacity still affects pricing.
The passage first shows how members share fixed costs, then explains why crowding and added capacity can make the next member more expensive.

2. Why might one new member become costly after the room is full?

Show answer for question 2

D. Serving that member may require more hours or an additional kiln firing.
Once current space and time are fully used, the passage says another person may trigger a larger step such as extended hours or another firing.

3. What is a “marginal cost” in this passage?

Show answer for question 3

A. The added expense caused by making one more pot or serving one more member
The text defines marginal cost through the extra clay, glaze, kiln space, and cleanup required for one additional pot.

4. Which pair does the passage present as fixed costs?

Show answer for question 4

B. Rent and shelves
Rent and shelves appear in the opening list of costs that exist before anyone arrives and change little with one more member.

Source: Written for Fluency. Original passage © Studio AM, written for Fluency.