Final answer:
When the price is above equilibrium, a surplus occurs, leading to downward pressure on the price. Conversely, a price below equilibrium causes a shortage, with upward pressure on price adjustments. The correct answer is E. above; surplus; downward.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the price is above the equilibrium price, we would expect there to be a surplus, causing the market to put downward pressure on the price until it went back to the equilibrium price. Therefore, the correct answer is E. above; surplus; downward.
In more detail, at prices above the equilibrium, the quantity supplied exceeds the quantity demanded. This results in a surplus of goods in the market, which creates pressure on sellers to lower their prices to sell these excess products and therefore brings the price down toward the equilibrium price where the quantity supplied equals the quantity demanded. Likewise, if the price were below the equilibrium, there would be a shortage, as the quantity demanded would outstrip the quantity supplied, causing upward pressure on the price as consumers compete to purchase the limited goods available.