which of the following is not a reason for abnormal demand

Analyze the question: "Abnormal demand" (also called exceptional or irregular demand) refers to situations where the normal law of demand does not hold. Normally, when price rises, quantity demanded falls. With abnormal demand, a price rise can lead to more being demanded, or a price fall can lead to less being demanded. We are asked which option is not a reason for this.

Concept: Common causes of abnormal (exceptional) demand are:

1. Giffen goods: inferior goods that take up a large part of a poor consumer's income. When their price rises, people buy more of them because they cannot afford better substitutes (e.g. garri or cheap staple foods).
2. Goods of ostentation (prestige or Veblen goods): people buy them to show off wealth, so a higher price makes them more attractive (e.g. expensive jewellery, designer cars).
3. Rare or scarce commodities: items like antiques or rare works of art, where a high price signals value and demand rises.
4. Expectation of future price changes: if people expect prices to rise further, they buy more now.

Step-by-step evaluation:

• A. Price of the commodity: Price is the normal determinant of demand. It is the variable in the law of demand itself, so it is the ordinary cause of changes in quantity demanded, not a special reason for abnormal demand. This is not a reason for abnormal demand.
• B. Goods of ostentation: a reason for abnormal demand.
• C. Giffen goods: a reason for abnormal demand.
• D. Rare commodity: a reason for abnormal demand.

Answer: The option that is not a reason for abnormal demand is A. price of the commodity.

Tip: Remember the word "GOR": Giffen goods, Ostentation goods, Rare items. If an option is just "price" on its own, it is part of the normal law of demand, not an exception to it.