Answer: a) the price level is less than the expected price level.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the actual output in an economy is lower then the natural output it is called a Contractionary Gap and the price level will be lower.
This is because the Short Run Aggregate Supply Curve and the Demand curve will intersect at a lesser quantity which will equate to a lower price as well because the economy is producing less and the people are demanding less as well so the point at which they meet will be a lesser price.