Cambridge IGCSE · Economics (0455)

Workers: Practice Questions

5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 5 written questions with worked solutions. All on Workers.

10 questions24 marksFree, no account

Question 1

1 mark

Which factor would typically lead to an increase in the supply of labour to the healthcare sector?

Question 2

1 mark

A large firm moves from a labour-intensive production method to a capital-intensive one. What is the most likely impact on the workers currently employed by the firm?

Question 3

1 mark

In an economy, the wage gap between male and female workers is widening despite equal qualifications. Which factor would most likely explain this according to economic theory?

Question 4

1 mark

Which factor is most likely to lead to an increase in the supply of labour to the healthcare sector?

Question 5

1 mark

Why might a female worker earn less than a male worker in the same industry, according to economic theory regarding earnings differentials?

Question 6

2 marks

Define the term specialisation in the context of a firm's workforce and state one reason why it might increase labour productivity.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 7

3 marks

Describe how a significant increase in labour productivity within a specific industry is likely to affect the equilibrium wage rate for workers in that sector.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 8

5 marks

In a labour market, the supply of specialized aerospace engineers is highly inelastic, while the demand for their services increases due to a new space exploration program. Simultaneously, the demand for manual filing clerks falls due to digital automation. Explain the likely effect on the wage differential between these two groups of workers.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 9

4 marks

Modern production often relies on the division of labour.

(a) Define the term 'division of labour'. (1 point)
(b) Describe one advantage and two disadvantages for a worker who performs a highly specialized, repetitive task in a manufacturing plant. (3 points)

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 10

5 marks

Differences in earnings can often be explained by the interaction of demand and supply in the labour market. Consider the following data for two occupations:

Occupation A (Unskilled): High supply of workers, low demand from firms.
Occupation B (Skilled): Low supply of workers, high demand from firms.

(a) Explain how the elasticity of supply of labour differs between skilled and unskilled workers. (2 points)
(b) Analyse three reasons why a worker in a tertiary sector profession, such as a software engineer, typically earns more than a worker in a primary sector role, such as a farm labourer. (3 points)

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

* The content provided by thinka is generated by AI and may not always be accurate or up-to-date. Please use it as a supplementary resource and verify with official materials.

You've seen the model answer. Now get yours marked.

This page can show you how a good answer looks. It cannot tell you what your answer was missing. thinka marks your written work against the real mark scheme in about 15 seconds.

Get My Answers Marked Back to the notes

Want more questions like these? Get a fresh set on this topic, graded as you go.