The financial crisis of 2008 was initially caused by problems in the
a. us financial and housing markets.
b. us automotive and insurance markets.
c. global financial and housing markets.
d. global energy and transportation markets.

The correct answer is:  

a. US financial and housing markets.

The global financial crisis of 2008 was the most serious financial crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s, according to many economists.  

It started in 2007 with a crisis in the subprime mortgage market in the United States and progressed into a full-blown global banking crisis with the downfall of the investment bank Lehman Brothers.  

i believe the answer is a