What is a characteristic of a monopolistic market structure?

In a monopolistic market structure, one of the defining characteristics is the presence of high barriers to entry. These barriers can take various forms, such as significant startup costs, regulatory requirements, or control of essential resources, which prevent new firms from entering the market easily. This limited entry helps the existing monopolist maintain its market power and pricing strategies without facing direct competition.

In contrast, options related to easy market entry or multiple price makers do not align with the monopolistic structure, as a monopolist is typically the sole provider of a good or service and can set prices without the influence of competitors. While differentiated products can occur, it is the high barriers to entry that fundamentally characterize a monopolistic market.