The following are types of monopolies EXCEPT

1. Analyze the question You are asked to find the option that is NOT a type or form of monopoly (or monopolistic combination).

2. Explain the concept A monopoly is a market structure in which one firm, or a group of firms acting together, controls the supply of a product. Firms often combine to reduce competition and control price or output. Common forms of these combinations include:

• Cartels: independent firms agree to fix prices or output, as OPEC does with oil.
• Trusts: several firms hand control to a board of trustees and act as one.
• Syndicates: firms join together to market their products or carry out a joint venture, which restricts competition.
• Holding companies: a parent company owns controlling shares in several other companies, so it effectively controls the market.

3. Go through the options

• A. Cartels: a monopolistic combination.
• B. Holding companies: a monopolistic combination.
• C. Syndicates: a monopolistic combination.
• D. Thrifts: not a monopoly. Thrifts are savings institutions, such as savings banks and building societies. They belong to the financial system and have nothing to do with monopoly.
• E. Trusts: a monopolistic combination.

4. Answer The odd one out is D. Thrifts.

5. Exam tip For "EXCEPT" questions, sort the options into a group first. Here four options are ways firms join together to control a market, and one is a word from banking and savings. Whichever does not fit the group is the answer. Remember the monopoly combinations with: Cartel, Trust, Syndicate, Holding company.