The above table gives a country's government outlays and tax revenue for 2008 through 2012. During which years did the country have a balanced budget, budget surplus, and budget deficit?

What will be an ideal response?

The country had a balanced budget in 2011 because in that year government outlays equaled tax revenues. The country had a budget surplus in 2008 and 2009 because in those years tax revenues exceeded government outlays. The country had a budget deficit in 2010 and 2011 because in those years government outlays exceeded tax revenues.