Which value can remain high even if an item’s exchange value is low?

The correct answer is use value. Use value refers to the practical utility or usefulness of an item to an individual or group. This concept signifies that an item can hold significant value in terms of its functionality or application, even if it is not considered valuable in the marketplace. For instance, a tool that is essential for a particular task may have a high use value to a person who needs it, while its exchange value or market price could be relatively low due to factors like demand, availability, or perceived worth in a broader economic context.

In contrast, other values listed, such as cost value, esteem value, and satisfaction value, are typically more closely tied to factors like pricing, social status, and personal fulfillment, which can fluctuate more significantly based on market conditions and individual perceptions rather than inherent utility. Thus, use value stands out as the type of value that can maintain a high status independent of an item’s exchange value.