An original Thinka practice paper modelled on the structure and difficulty of the Jun 2025 (V1) Cambridge IGCSE Economics (0455) paper. Not affiliated with or reproduced from Cambridge.
Paper 1 Multiple Choice
Answer all 30 multiple choice questions. Each question carries 1 mark.
30 Question · 30 marks
Question 1 · multiple_choice
1 marks
A production possibility curve (PPC) has capital goods on the vertical axis and consumer goods on the horizontal axis. Point V is located high on the curve, near the vertical axis. Point W is located low on the curve, near the horizontal axis. Point X is inside the curve, and Point Y is outside the curve.
If the government decides to prioritize future economic growth by reallocating resources from consumer goods to capital goods, which movement shows this change?
A.V to W
B.W to V
C.X to V
D.Y to W
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Worked solution
Reallocating resources from consumer goods to capital goods means producing more capital goods (which are on the vertical axis) and fewer consumer goods (which are on the horizontal axis). Point W represents high consumer goods and low capital goods production. Point V represents high capital goods and low consumer goods production. Therefore, the movement is from W to V.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct option B.
Question 2 · multiple_choice
1 marks
Omar runs an organic farming business. He decides to expand his business by leasing an extra plot of fertile land and buying advanced automated irrigation systems.
Which factors of production have changed?
A.enterprise and capital
B.land and capital
C.land and labour
D.labour and capital
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Worked solution
Fertile land is classified under 'land' as a factor of production. Automated irrigation systems are manufactured resources used in production, which are classified under 'capital'. Therefore, land and capital have changed.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct option B.
Question 3 · multiple_choice
1 marks
A major advertising campaign increases the popularity of oat milk, while at the same time, a breakthrough in harvesting technology reduces the cost of producing oats.
How will this affect the equilibrium price and quantity traded in the market for oat milk?
A.Price: fall; Quantity: uncertain
B.Price: rise; Quantity: rise
C.Price: uncertain; Quantity: rise
D.Price: rise; Quantity: uncertain
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Worked solution
The advertising campaign increases demand, shifting the demand curve to the right (increasing both price and quantity). The technological breakthrough increases supply, shifting the supply curve to the right (decreasing price and increasing quantity). Since both shifts increase quantity, the equilibrium quantity will definitely rise. However, the effect on price is uncertain because the demand shift increases price while the supply shift decreases it.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct option C.
Question 4 · multiple_choice
1 marks
The table shows the quantity demanded of a product at different prices.
For which fall in price is the demand price-elastic?
A.from $10 to $8
B.from $8 to $6
C.from $6 to $4
D.from $4 to $2
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Worked solution
Price elasticity of demand (PED) is calculated as: $$\text{PED} = \frac{\% \Delta Q_d}{\% \Delta P}$$
Let's test the option from $4 to $2: - % change in Price = $$\frac{2 - 4}{4} \times 100 = -50\%$$ - % change in Quantity = $$\frac{200 - 130}{130} \times 100 = +53.8\%$$ - $$\text{PED} = \frac{53.8\%}{50\%} = 1.08 > 1$$ (Price-elastic).
For all other options, the absolute value of PED is less than 1 (price-inelastic).
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct option D.
Question 5 · multiple_choice
1 marks
What is a primary function of a country's central bank?
A.accepting deposits from the general public
B.acting as a lender of last resort to commercial banks
C.providing loans to individual private businesses
D.managing the investment portfolios of retail customers
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Worked solution
A central bank operates as the government's bank and the bank for commercial banks. One of its key functions is to act as a lender of last resort to commercial banks experiencing liquidity shortages. Accepting deposits and providing loans to individuals/businesses are functions of commercial banks.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct option B.
Question 6 · multiple_choice
1 marks
What is most likely to increase the geographical mobility of labour within a country?
A.a rise in the cost of renting housing in major cities
B.an increase in the provision of regional relocation grants
C.a stricter nationwide regulation on professional qualifications
D.a decrease in the availability of public transport in rural areas
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Worked solution
Geographical mobility is the ease with which workers can move from one location to another for employment. Regional relocation grants reduce the financial burden of moving, making it easier for workers to relocate to areas where jobs are available.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct option B.
Question 7 · multiple_choice
1 marks
A firm's total cost consists of both fixed and variable costs. The table shows a firm's total cost at different levels of output.
What is the average variable cost (AVC) when output is 20 units?
A.$2.50
B.$6.50
C.$9.00
D.$13.00
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Worked solution
At 0 output, Total Cost is $50, which represents the Total Fixed Cost (TFC). At 20 units of output, Total Cost (TC) is $180. Total Variable Cost (TVC) = TC - TFC = $180 - $50 = $130. Average Variable Cost (AVC) = TVC / Output = $130 / 20 = $6.50.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct option B.
Question 8 · multiple_choice
1 marks
An economy is experiencing a downturn, and a major steel manufacturer shuts down because of a nationwide recession. At the same time, many retail workers lose their jobs as consumer spending falls across the country.
Which type of unemployment has increased?
A.cyclical unemployment
B.frictional unemployment
C.seasonal unemployment
D.structural unemployment
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Worked solution
Cyclical (or demand-deficient) unemployment occurs due to a lack of aggregate demand in the economy, typically during a recession or economic downturn, which leads to widespread job losses across multiple sectors.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct option A.
Question 9 · multiple_choice
1 marks
A business manufactures eco-friendly wooden toys. It employs skilled woodcarvers, rents a workshop, buys specialized carving machinery, and is managed by its founder who took a bank loan to start the company. Which row correctly pairs a factor of production used by this business with its corresponding reward?
A.Carving machinery -> Rent
B.Workshop -> Wages
C.Skilled woodcarvers -> Wages
D.Founder -> Interest
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Worked solution
Skilled woodcarvers represent labour, and the reward for labour is wages. Carving machinery is capital (reward is interest), the workshop is land (reward is rent), and the founder represents enterprise (reward is profit).
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct answer C.
Question 10 · multiple_choice
1 marks
An economy experiences a significant net emigration of skilled engineers and technicians to other countries. How is this change shown on a production possibility curve (PPC) diagram?
A.A movement along the PPC towards consumer goods.
B.A movement along the PPC towards capital goods.
C.A parallel shift of the PPC outwards.
D.An inward shift of the PPC.
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Worked solution
Net emigration of skilled workers reduces the total quality and quantity of the labour force available in the economy. This decreases the economy's maximum productive capacity, causing the PPC to shift inwards.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct answer D.
Question 11 · multiple_choice
1 marks
The quantity demanded of a product at different prices is recorded as: At price $12, quantity is 2. At price $10, quantity is 5. At price $8, quantity is 10. At price $6, quantity is 20. At price $4, quantity is 22. At which price interval is the price elasticity of demand (PED) price-inelastic?
A.from $12 to $10
B.from $10 to $8
C.from $8 to $6
D.from $6 to $4
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Worked solution
For the price interval from $6 to $4, the percentage change in price is ((4 - 6) / 6) * 100 = -33.3%. The percentage change in quantity demanded is ((22 - 20) / 20) * 100 = +10%. The PED is 10% / -33.3% = -0.3. Since the absolute value of PED (0.3) is less than 1, demand is inelastic in this range. Other intervals are elastic: from $12 to $10 (PED = 9), from $10 to $8 (PED = 5), and from $8 to $6 (PED = 4).
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct answer D.
Question 12 · multiple_choice
1 marks
Under which conditions is a trade union most likely to successfully negotiate a wage increase for its members without causing job losses in the firm?
A.The demand for the firm's product is highly price-elastic.
B.Labour costs represent a very large percentage of the firm's total costs.
C.The union represents a small fraction of the firm's workforce.
D.The firm's profit margins are high and there is a shortage of skilled labor in the industry.
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Worked solution
High profit margins mean the firm can absorb higher wage costs without reducing output or raising prices. A shortage of skilled labor gives workers strong bargaining power because they cannot be easily replaced, making job cuts highly unlikely.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct answer D.
Question 13 · multiple_choice
1 marks
A firm's total costs at different output levels are: 0 units costs $100; 10 units costs $180; 20 units costs $240; 30 units costs $330. What is the average variable cost (AVC) of producing 20 units of output?
A.$5.00
B.$7.00
C.$12.00
D.$14.00
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Worked solution
At 0 units of output, the total cost is $100, which represents the firm's total fixed cost (TFC). At 20 units of output, the total cost is $240. The total variable cost (TVC) is Total Cost minus TFC, which is $240 - $100 = $140. The average variable cost (AVC) is TVC divided by output: $140 / 20 = $7.00.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct answer B.
Question 14 · multiple_choice
1 marks
Which government policy is a supply-side measure designed to reduce structural unemployment?
A.decreasing interest rates to stimulate investment by small businesses
B.increasing welfare benefits to support workers between jobs
C.providing government-funded retraining schemes for workers in declining industries
D.raising import tariffs to protect domestic manufacturing jobs
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Worked solution
Structural unemployment is caused by a mismatch of skills. Retraining schemes increase the occupational mobility of workers, allowing them to acquire new skills suitable for expanding industries. This is a supply-side policy because it directly improves the productive capacity and skills of the labor force.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct answer C.
Question 15 · multiple_choice
1 marks
The weights and price indices for three main groups of expenditure in an economy are: Food (weight 0.40, Year 2 index 110), Housing (weight 0.40, Year 2 index 105), and Transport (weight 0.20, Year 2 index 120). What is the weighted Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Year 2 if the base year (Year 1) index for all groups was 100?
A.105
B.110
C.111.7
D.115
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Worked solution
To find the weighted CPI in Year 2, multiply each price index by its respective weight and sum the results: Food: 110 * 0.40 = 44; Housing: 105 * 0.40 = 42; Transport: 120 * 0.20 = 24. Weighted CPI = 44 + 42 + 24 = 110.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct answer B.
Question 16 · multiple_choice
1 marks
The currency of country X depreciates against the currencies of its major trading partners. What is the most likely consequence of this depreciation?
A.The price of country X's exports in foreign currencies will rise.
B.The domestic price of imported raw materials in country X will rise.
C.The volume of country X's imports will increase.
D.The rate of domestic inflation in country X will fall.
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Worked solution
A depreciation of country X's currency means it takes more units of country X's currency to buy foreign goods and raw materials. Consequently, the domestic price of imported raw materials in country X will rise, potentially causing imported cost-push inflation.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct answer B.
Question 17 · multiple_choice
1 marks
What is most likely to increase the geographical mobility of labour?
A.a rise in the cost of renting residential housing in areas with labor shortages
B.a decrease in the availability of information about job vacancies in other regions
C.the provision of government relocation grants to help workers move to new areas
D.the introduction of regional differences in national income tax rates
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Worked solution
Government relocation grants directly reduce the financial barrier associated with moving to another region, thereby increasing the geographical mobility of labour. Rising rents (A) and lack of information (B) decrease mobility, while regional tax differences (D) can complicate it.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct option C.
Question 18 · multiple_choice
1 marks
A dry-cleaning business purchases two new state-of-the-art washing machines and employs two extra counter staff.
Which factors of production are changed?
A.capital and enterprise
B.capital and labour
C.enterprise and land
D.land and labour
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Worked solution
Washing machines are man-made aids to production (capital), and counter staff are human effort in production (labour).
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct option B.
Question 19 · multiple_choice
1 marks
An economy is currently producing consumer goods and capital goods on its production possibility curve (PPC).
If there is a movement along the curve to produce more consumer goods and fewer capital goods, what is the opportunity cost of this decision?
A.the decrease in the production of capital goods
B.the increase in the production of consumer goods
C.the unemployed resources in the economy
D.the cost of purchasing new capital equipment
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Worked solution
Opportunity cost is the next best alternative forgone. When moving along a PPC to produce more consumer goods, the economy must give up (forgo) some production of capital goods.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct option A.
Question 20 · multiple_choice
1 marks
A government decides to reduce the rate of value added tax (VAT) across the entire economy.
What would be a macroeconomic effect of this policy?
A.a decrease in the retail price of a specific brand of smartphone
B.a rise in the total level of consumer expenditure in the economy
C.an increase in the profit margin of a local bakery
D.a fall in the hourly wages of supermarket cashiers
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Worked solution
Macroeconomics deals with the economy as a whole. A rise in the total level of consumer expenditure is a macroeconomic outcome, whereas smartphone prices, bakery profits, and supermarket wages are microeconomic issues.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct option B.
Question 21 · multiple_choice
1 marks
A successful advertising campaign increases the popularity of electric bicycles. At the same time, a reduction in the price of lithium-ion batteries decreases the cost of producing them.
How will this affect the equilibrium price and quantity traded of electric bicycles?
A.price: fall, quantity: uncertain
B.price: rise, quantity: rise
C.price: uncertain, quantity: fall
D.price: uncertain, quantity: rise
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Worked solution
An increase in popularity shifts the demand curve to the right, which increases both price and quantity. A reduction in production costs shifts the supply curve to the right, which decreases price and increases quantity. Combining both shifts, the quantity traded definitely increases, but the effect on price is uncertain because it depends on the relative magnitude of the shifts.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct option D.
Question 22 · multiple_choice
1 marks
The table shows the quantity demanded of a product at various prices.
For which fall in price is the price elasticity of demand (PED) elastic (greater than 1)?
A.from $10 to $8
B.from $8 to $6
C.from $6 to $4
D.It is inelastic at all price levels.
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Worked solution
Elasticity is calculated as: $\text{PED} = \frac{\% \text{ change in quantity demanded}}{\% \text{ change in price}}$. - From $10 to $8: Price decreases by $20\%$. Quantity increases by $50\%$. $\text{PED} = 50 / 20 = 2.5$ (elastic). - From $8 to $6: Price decreases by $25\%$. Quantity increases by $20\%$. $\text{PED} = 20 / 25 = 0.8$ (inelastic). - From $6 to $4: Price decreases by $33.3\%$. Quantity increases by $11.1\%$. $\text{PED} = 11.1 / 33.3 = 0.33$ (inelastic).
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct option A.
Question 23 · multiple_choice
1 marks
The price elasticity of supply (PES) of fresh strawberries is calculated as +0.3 in the short run and +1.5 in the long run.
Why is the PES of fresh strawberries higher in the long run?
A.Consumers find more substitutes for strawberries over time.
B.Strawberry growers can expand their cultivation land and plant more crops over time.
C.Fresh strawberries are highly perishable and cannot be stored for long periods.
D.The demand for strawberries becomes more price-elastic in the long run.
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Worked solution
In the long run, all factors of production are variable, meaning growers can purchase more land, glasshouses, and tools to respond more fully to a change in price, making supply more elastic.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct option B.
Question 24 · multiple_choice
1 marks
A consumer compares the prices of two different brands of laptops in an electronics store before making a decision on which one to purchase.
Which function of money is being illustrated in this scenario?
A.medium of exchange
B.store of value
C.unit of account
D.standard for deferred payment
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Worked solution
Money acts as a unit of account (or measure of value) when it is used to express and compare the relative values/prices of different goods and services.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct option C.
Question 25 · multiple_choice
1 marks
Which government policy is most likely to increase the geographical mobility of labour?
A.introducing high fees for university vocational courses
B.offering relocation grants to workers moving to high-employment regions
C.raising the national minimum wage across all sectors
D.reducing the availability of public transport in rural areas
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Worked solution
Relocation grants reduce the financial cost for workers to move from one region to another to find work, thereby increasing their geographical mobility. Higher university fees (A) may discourage training, reducing occupational mobility. Raising the minimum wage (C) does not target geographical barriers directly. Reducing transport (D) would make it harder to travel, decreasing mobility.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct answer B.
Question 26 · multiple_choice
1 marks
The table shows the price and quantity demanded of a consumer good.
For which fall in price is the price elasticity of demand (PED) elastic?
A.from $10 to $8
B.from $8 to $6
C.from $6 to $4
D.demand is inelastic for all price falls shown
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Worked solution
To test if demand is price-elastic, we can look at the change in total revenue (TR = Price × Quantity) as price falls: - At Price = $10, TR = $1,000. - At Price = $8, TR = $880 (TR decreased, so demand is inelastic). - At Price = $6, TR = $780 (TR decreased, so demand is inelastic). - At Price = $4, TR = $640 (TR decreased, so demand is inelastic).
Since total revenue decreases for every fall in price shown, the demand is inelastic for all price falls.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct answer D.
Question 27 · multiple_choice
1 marks
What is a primary function of a commercial bank but NOT a function of a central bank?
A.acting as a lender of last resort to financial institutions
B.managing the national debt of the government
C.providing current accounts and personal loans to individuals
D.regulating the domestic banking sector and money supply
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Worked solution
Commercial banks provide retail banking services, such as current accounts and personal loans, directly to individuals and businesses. Acting as a lender of last resort (A), managing national debt (B), and regulating the money supply (D) are functions of a central bank.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct answer C.
Question 28 · multiple_choice
1 marks
A firm produces 500 units of output. Its total fixed cost is $2,000 and its average variable cost is $6 per unit. What is the firm’s total cost?
A.$2,006
B.$3,000
C.$5,000
D.$8,000
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Worked solution
Total Cost (TC) is equal to Total Fixed Cost (TFC) + Total Variable Cost (TVC). First, calculate TVC: $$\text{TVC} = \text{Average Variable Cost (AVC)} \times \text{Output}$$ $$\text{TVC} = \$6 \times 500 = \$3,000$$ Then, add TFC: $$\text{TC} = \$2,000 + \$3,000 = \$5,000$$
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct answer C.
Question 29 · multiple_choice
1 marks
An economy’s Consumer Prices Index (CPI) consists of three items. The table shows the percentage price change over a year and the weight of each item.
What is the overall percentage change in the CPI over this year?
A.+4.3%
B.+6.3%
C.+6.5%
D.+13.0%
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Worked solution
The overall percentage change in the CPI is the weighted average of the individual price changes: $$\text{Overall change} = (10 \times 0.40) + (5 \times 0.50) + (-2 \times 0.10)$$ $$\text{Overall change} = 4.0 + 2.5 - 0.2 = 6.3\%$$
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct answer B.
Question 30 · multiple_choice
1 marks
What is most likely to cause a depreciation in the exchange rate of a country's currency under a floating exchange rate system?
A.an increase in the country's domestic interest rates
B.an increase in foreign demand for the country’s exports
C.an increase in the rate of inflation in the country relative to its trading partners
D.an influx of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country
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Worked solution
A higher rate of inflation relative to trading partners makes a country's exports less price-competitive and foreign imports more attractive. This reduces the demand for the domestic currency and increases its supply on the foreign exchange market, leading to a currency depreciation. An increase in domestic interest rates (A), export demand (B), or foreign direct investment (D) would increase demand for the currency, causing it to appreciate.
Marking scheme
1 mark for the correct answer C.
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Peru is a South American country. Its Andean forests and highland grasslands reduce carbon dioxide, provide habitats for wildlife, and prevent soil erosion. The Peruvian Government wants to protect these ecosystems from illegal logging and mining. It has established natural reserves, which have boosted ecotourism, impacting the current account of the balance of payments.
The Peruvian Government aims to reduce its economic reliance on copper mining, agriculture, and fishing. Peru is the world's second-largest copper producer, but mining can lead to severe soil and water contamination. The country also has other mineral wealth, including lithium. In 2023, large new lithium reserves were discovered in the southern region of Puno.
Peru’s agricultural industry employs a significant proportion of the country’s labour force. Fig. 1.1 shows the secondary school enrollment rate and the percentage of the labour force employed in agriculture in six selected Latin American countries in 2023.
**Fig. 1.1: Secondary school enrollment rate and agricultural employment in selected countries in 2023**
In recent years, Peru has faced issues with youth unemployment, particularly among school leavers. High youth unemployment prevents young people from acquiring essential vocational skills, which harms long-term labor productivity and dampens consumer confidence. To address this, the government is considering offering wage subsidies to private firms that provide structured apprenticeships to young job seekers.
The government also wants to expand its domestic electronics assembly industry to add value to its mineral resources (like lithium and copper). The success of this industry depends heavily on government subsidies, technological adoption, and the division of labor (specialization).
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### **Questions**
**1 (a)** With reference to the Peru fact file, calculate the contribution of copper output as a percentage of the country's total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). **[1]**
**1 (b)** Identify two external benefits of forests and grasslands mentioned in the source material. **[2]**
**1 (c)** Explain what impact an increase in ecotourism may have on Peru's current account balance. **[2]**
**1 (d)** Explain two reasons why the Peruvian Government aims to reduce its dependency on copper extraction. **[4]**
**1 (e)** Draw a demand and supply diagram to show the effect of the discovery of new lithium deposits on the market for lithium. **[4]**
**1 (f)** Analyse the relationship between secondary school enrollment rates and agricultural employment using the data in Fig. 1.1. **[5]**
**1 (g)** Discuss whether or not a government should subsidise wages for private sector firms that offer apprenticeships to young unemployed people. **[6]**
**1 (h)** Discuss whether or not an increase in the scale of production for domestic electronics assembly firms will lower their average unit costs. **[6]**
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**1 (b)** Any two from the text: * Reduces carbon dioxide / air pollution * Provides habitats for wildlife * Prevents soil erosion
**1 (c)** * Ecotourism is an export of services (invisible export) because foreigners spend money inside Peru **[1]** * This increases the credit item on the current account, improving the current account balance (reducing a current account deficit or increasing a surplus) **[1]**
**1 (d)** * **Reason 1:** Copper is a finite / non-renewable resource that will eventually run out **[1]**. Over-reliance on it means that future revenues, employment, and GDP will decline when reserves deplete **[1]**. * **Reason 2:** Mining creates water and soil contamination (negative externalities/external costs) **[1]**, which damages public health, reduces environmental quality, and negatively impacts other key sectors like agriculture or tourism **[1]**.
**1 (e)** * Axes correctly labelled: Price (y-axis) and Quantity (x-axis) **[1]** * Original demand (D) and supply (S) curves correctly drawn and labelled, with initial equilibrium ($P_1, Q_1$) **[1]** * Supply curve shifted to the right ($S_1$ to $S_2$) **[1]** * New equilibrium clearly shown with lower price ($P_2$) and higher quantity ($Q_2$) **[1]**
**1 (f)** * **Expected relationship:** There is an inverse/negative relationship between the secondary school enrollment rate and the percentage of the labor force employed in agriculture **[1]**; as school enrollment rates rise, agricultural employment falls **[1]**. * **Supporting evidence:** Honduras has the lowest enrollment rate (60%) and the highest agricultural employment (35%), while Chile has the highest school enrollment rate (90%) and the lowest agricultural employment (8%) **[1]**. * **Economic analysis:** Higher secondary school enrollment rates lead to a more educated, skilled, and literate workforce **[1]**. Skilled workers are more capable of securing employment in higher-paying secondary and tertiary sector industries (such as electronics assembly or services) rather than manual agricultural labor **[1]**.
**1 (g)** * **Arguments for subsidising wages (Up to 4 marks):** * It lowers the cost of hiring for private sector firms, encouraging them to take on more young workers **[1]**. * Apprenticeships help young people gain practical, high-value technical skills, boosting their long-term productivity and structural employability **[1]**. * It directly reduces youth unemployment, reducing the fiscal burden of unemployment benefits and welfare payments **[1]**. * Higher employment increases household disposable incomes, boosting aggregate demand and economic growth **[1]**. * **Arguments against subsidising wages (Up to 4 marks):** * There is an opportunity cost involved; government funds spent on wage subsidies could instead be allocated to improving public infrastructure or state education **[1]**. * Firms may act corruptly or offer poor-quality training, using the young workers as cheap, unskilled labor without providing genuine skill development **[1]**. * It can lead to 'deadweight loss' if private firms would have hired these young workers anyway even without the subsidy **[1]**. * It represents a major government expenditure that might require tax increases elsewhere, hurting economic efficiency **[1]**.
**1 (h)** * **Arguments that average costs will fall (Up to 4 marks):** * Firms can experience internal economies of scale, such as technical economies of scale by investing in advanced, automated assembly machinery **[1]**. * Purchasing economies of scale can be achieved by buying electronic components (like lithium batteries or copper wires) in bulk at discounted prices **[1]**. * Division of labor and worker specialization can increase worker productivity, decreasing the cost per unit of production **[1]**. * Financial economies might allow larger firms to secure loans at lower interest rates from banks **[1]**. * **Arguments that average costs will not fall (Up to 4 marks):** * Firms may encounter internal diseconomies of scale, such as communication problems, leading to slow decision-making in giant corporations **[1]**. * Demotivation of workers doing repetitive assembly-line tasks can lead to labor inefficiency, absenteeism, and lower productivity **[1]**. * External diseconomies of scale may rise, such as increased local competition for skilled electronics engineers bidding up wages and production costs **[1]**.
Marking scheme
### **Marking Scheme**
* **1 (a)** * 1 mark for correct calculation ($10\%$ or $10$).
* **1 (b)** * 1 mark for each identified external benefit up to a maximum of 2. * *Acceptable:* reduces carbon dioxide / air pollution, provides habitats for wildlife, prevents soil erosion.
* **1 (c)** * 1 mark for explaining that tourism is an export of services (or invisible export). * 1 mark for explaining that this improves the current account balance (reduces deficit or increases surplus).
* **1 (d)** * 1 mark for each of two reasons identified **[2]**. * 1 mark for each of two logical explanations **[2]**. * *Acceptable reasons:* Non-renewable resources run out, environmental pollution (negative externalities).
* **1 (e)** * 1 mark for correctly labelled axes (P and Q). * 1 mark for correctly labelled D and S curves with initial equilibrium. * 1 mark for showing a rightward shift of the supply curve. * 1 mark for showing a lower equilibrium price and higher equilibrium quantity.
* **1 (f)** * 1 mark for identifying the inverse/negative relationship. * 1 mark for providing data/evidence from Fig 1.1 (such as Honduras vs Chile). * Up to 3 marks for analyzing how education leads to diversification away from agriculture into tertiary/secondary sectors.
* **1 (g)** * Up to 4 marks for logical arguments why the government *should* subsidise wages. * Up to 4 marks for logical arguments why the government *should not* subsidise wages. * Maximum of 6 marks overall.
* **1 (h)** * Up to 4 marks for logical reasons why average costs of production *might* fall (identifying/explaining economies of scale). * Up to 4 marks for logical reasons why average costs of production *might not* fall (identifying/explaining diseconomies of scale). * Maximum of 6 marks overall.
Paper 2 Section B
Answer three optional questions from a choice of four. Each question consists of four parts (2, 4, 6, and 8 marks).
3 Question · 60 marks
Question 1 · structured_essay
20 marks
Agriculture is a major sector in Vietnam, employing a significant portion of the labour force. However, rapid urbanisation is encouraging many workers to shift to manufacturing. The Vietnamese government is considering introducing a national minimum wage to support workers' living standards.
(a) Identify two factors of production used in agriculture. [2] (b) Explain two reasons why a worker might choose to change occupations. [4] (c) Analyse how the introduction of a national minimum wage can cause unemployment. [6] (d) Discuss whether or not a market economic system benefits consumers more than a mixed economic system. [8]
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Worked solution
(a) Factors of production used in agriculture can include: - Land (e.g., fields, natural soil resources, water) - Labour (e.g., farmworkers, tractor drivers) - Capital (e.g., tractors, seeds, irrigation systems, fertilisers) - Enterprise (e.g., the farm owner making decisions and taking risks)
(b) Reasons why a worker might choose to change occupations: - Higher wages/salary: Manufacturing jobs may offer a higher pay rate than agricultural jobs, allowing the worker to improve their living standards. - Better working conditions: Agriculture involves physically demanding manual labour in outdoor conditions exposed to elements, whereas manufacturing might offer indoor, safer, or cleaner environments. - Shorter or more regular working hours: Farming is often subject to seasonal fluctuations and unpredictable hours, while factory shifts are typically fixed and regular. - Better career prospects: Larger manufacturing firms may offer promotion opportunities, structured training, and career progression paths that small farms cannot provide.
(c) Analysis of how a national minimum wage causes unemployment: - A national minimum wage acts as a price floor. If it is set above the current equilibrium wage rate, it makes labour more expensive for employers. - As a result of higher labour costs, firms will reduce their demand for workers to maintain profitability, leading to job cuts and fewer vacancies. - Simultaneously, the higher wage rate will attract more individuals to join the labour market, increasing the supply of labour. - This divergence creates a gap where the quantity of labour supplied exceeds the quantity of labour demanded, resulting in classical (real-wage) unemployment. - Additionally, firms may choose to replace expensive workers with capital-intensive machinery, further raising structural unemployment.
(d) Balanced discussion: Arguments that a market economic system benefits consumers more: - Consumer sovereignty: Resource allocation is guided entirely by consumer preferences and demand. - Competition: Strong competition between private firms drives down prices and increases quality to win customers. - Efficiency and Innovation: Firms have a profit incentive to minimise waste and introduce new, innovative products. - Variety of choice: Private enterprise responds dynamically to consumer desires, leading to a massive range of options.
Arguments that a mixed economic system benefits consumers more (limitations of market systems): - Provision of public goods: Market systems fail to provide non-excludable and non-rival goods (like street lighting or national defense), which the government provides in a mixed system. - Under-consumption of merit goods: Healthcare and education are under-provided in free markets; governments subsidise or provide them directly, ensuring access for low-income consumers. - Control of demerit goods: Market systems over-provide harmful goods like tobacco or pollution; a mixed system regulates or taxes these to protect consumer welfare. - Protection against monopoly power: Governments in mixed systems can break up monopolies or control prices to prevent consumers from being exploited.
Marking scheme
1(a) Identify two factors of production: - 1 mark for each correct factor identified up to a maximum of 2 marks. - Accept: Land, Labour, Capital, Enterprise.
1(b) Explain two reasons to change occupations: - 1 mark for each reason identified (up to 2). - 1 mark for each logical explanation of how it affects the worker (up to 2).
1(c) Analyse minimum wage and unemployment: - Up to 6 marks for a coherent chain of analysis: - Identifies minimum wage as a price floor / above equilibrium (1 mark). - Explains increase in firm costs (1 mark). - Explains contraction in demand for labour (1 mark). - Explains expansion in supply of labour (1 mark). - Details the resulting excess supply of labour / surplus (1 mark). - Explains substitution of labour with capital (1 mark).
1(d) Discuss market vs mixed systems for consumers: - Level 3 (6-8 marks): Balanced discussion examining both sides. Clear analysis of consumer benefits in a market system and how a mixed system resolves market failures to benefit consumers. - Level 2 (3-5 marks): One-sided discussion or lacks depth in explanation of market failures / government interventions. - Level 1 (1-2 marks): Simple statements or definitions without deep analysis.
Question 2 · structured_essay
20 marks
In Canada, the rate of inflation has risen due to increased raw material costs and high consumer spending. The central bank has responded by increasing the interest rate. Meanwhile, Canada remains a major exporter of timber and oil, which affects its current account of the balance of payments.
(a) Define inflation. [2] (b) Explain two consequences of a high rate of inflation on an economy. [4] (c) Analyse how an increase in interest rates can reduce inflation. [6] (d) Discuss whether or not a country benefits from having a current account surplus. [8]
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Worked solution
(a) Inflation is defined as a sustained (1) increase in the general price level (1) of goods and services over a period of time.
(b) Consequences of a high rate of inflation: - Reduction in real purchasing power: If prices rise faster than nominal incomes, consumers will be able to purchase fewer goods and services, reducing their standard of living. - Loss of international competitiveness: If domestic prices rise faster than overseas prices, exports become relatively more expensive and imports become cheaper, worsening the trade balance. - Wage-price spiral: Workers demand higher wages to keep up with cost of living increases, which increases production costs for firms, causing them to raise prices further. - Uncertainty: Rapidly changing prices make it difficult for firms to plan investments, which can slow down long-term economic growth.
(c) Analysis of how an increase in interest rates reduces inflation: - An increase in interest rates raises the cost of borrowing for both households and firms. This discourages taking out loans for consumption and capital investment. - Higher interest rates also increase the incentive to save, as savers receive a better return on their money, which diverts funds away from active spending. - Consequently, consumer expenditure and investment fall, reducing the level of aggregate demand (total demand) in the economy. - A lower level of aggregate demand reduces the pressure on prices, slowing down demand-pull inflation. - Additionally, higher interest rates may attract foreign financial investment, appreciating the exchange rate, making imports cheaper and lowering cost-push inflation.
(d) Balanced discussion: Arguments that a country benefits from a current account surplus: - Economic growth: A surplus means that exports exceed imports, representing a net injection of demand into the economy, boosting GDP. - Employment: High export demand creates and sustains employment opportunities in exporting and supporting industries. - Stronger currency reserves: It allows the country to build up reserves of foreign currency, enhancing financial stability. - Debt reduction: Surplus funds can be used to pay off external debts or invest in assets overseas, generating future investment income.
Arguments that a country does *not* benefit from a current account surplus: - Domestic shortages: Focusing heavily on exports can mean fewer goods are available for consumption at home, potentially reducing local living standards. - Inflationary pressure: The continuous inflow of cash from export revenues can increase the domestic money supply and aggregate demand, causing demand-pull inflation. - Currency appreciation: A persistent surplus can cause the exchange rate to rise, eventually making exports less competitive and imports cheaper, hurting local manufacturing. - Protectionist retaliation: Trading partners running trade deficits against the surplus country may impose tariffs or quotas to restrict trade.
Marking scheme
2(a) Define inflation: - 1 mark for 'sustained / persistent / continuous' increase. - 1 mark for 'general price level' (do not accept 'increase in prices of some goods').
2(b) Explain two consequences of inflation: - 1 mark for each consequence identified (up to 2). - 1 mark for each development explaining the impact on the macroeconomy or individuals (up to 2).
2(c) Analyse interest rates and inflation: - Up to 6 marks for a sequential analysis: - Higher borrowing cost and higher return on savings (1 mark). - Decreased consumer spending / credit purchases (1 mark). - Decreased firm investment (1 mark). - Shift in aggregate demand downwards/leftwards (1 mark). - Relieving demand-pull pressure on prices (1 mark). - Mention of currency appreciation reducing import costs (1 mark).
2(d) Discuss current account surplus benefits: - Level 3 (6-8 marks): A clear, balanced discussion looking at both economic benefits (growth, job creation) and drawbacks (inflation risk, currency appreciation, protectionism from partners) of a surplus. - Level 2 (3-5 marks): One-sided analysis of either only benefits or only limitations, or lacks economic depth in explaining balance of payments concepts. - Level 1 (1-2 marks): Simple descriptions of imports and exports without structured evaluation.
Question 3 · structured_essay
20 marks
The government of Morocco is investing heavily in solar energy infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions and reliance on imported fossil fuels. This project is funded partly by taxes on high-income earners. The country’s currency, the Moroccan dirham, operates under a managed float exchange rate system.
(a) Define market failure. [2] (b) Explain two types of taxes a government can use to raise revenue. [4] (c) Analyse how government spending on infrastructure can increase economic growth. [6] (d) Discuss whether or not a government should protect domestic solar industries from foreign competition. [8]
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Worked solution
(a) Market failure occurs when the market forces of demand and supply (1) allocate resources inefficiently, leading to a net loss of social welfare (1).
(b) Types of taxes: - Direct taxes: Taxes levied on income, profits, or wealth, paid directly by individuals or firms to the government (e.g., income tax, corporation tax). - Indirect taxes: Taxes levied on goods and services, paid by consumers through higher retail prices and passed to the government by sellers (e.g., Value Added Tax, customs duties). - Progressive taxes: Taxes where the percentage rate paid increases as the taxpayer's income increases, designed to reduce income inequality. - Regressive taxes: Taxes where the proportion of income paid in tax falls as income rises, taking a larger percentage of a low-income earner's money.
(c) Analysis of how government spending on infrastructure increases economic growth: - Short-term demand injection: Government expenditure on constructing solar farms, grids, and roads represents an injection into aggregate demand, causing an expansion in national output. - Employment creation: The projects employ local engineers, construction workers, and specialists, increasing incomes and driving consumer spending (multiplier effect). - Reduced business costs: Better infrastructure lowers transportation, power, and logistics costs for domestic firms, making production more efficient. - Expanded productive capacity: Improvements in physical capital shift the economy's Long-Run Aggregate Supply (LRAS) outwards, raising potential GDP. - Attracts FDI: Reliable infrastructure makes the country more attractive to foreign multinational companies, bringing in capital and technology.
(d) Balanced discussion: Arguments for protecting domestic solar industries: - Infant industry argument: Newly established domestic solar firms may have high average costs. Protection shields them from larger, established foreign firms until they achieve economies of scale. - Job preservation: Restricting cheap imports protects domestic manufacturing jobs in the clean energy sector. - Strategic energy security: Reducing foreign reliance for solar equipment ensures national control over renewable energy transitions. - Countering unfair competition: Tariffs can offset foreign dumping if international competitors are subsidised heavily by their home governments.
Arguments against protecting domestic solar industries: - Increased costs: Tariffs on foreign solar panels raise prices for domestic consumers and installation firms, slowing down the transition to renewable energy. - Lack of competition: Protection can make domestic firms inefficient, reducing their incentive to innovate or lower prices. - Risk of retaliation: Affected trading partners might impose retaliatory tariffs on other major domestic export sectors, hurting national trade balance. - Allocation of resources: Restricting trade prevents the country from exploiting comparative advantage, leading to an inefficient allocation of global resources.
Marking scheme
3(a) Define market failure: - 1 mark for mentioning 'market forces / free market'. - 1 mark for 'inefficient allocation of resources' or 'welfare loss'.
3(b) Explain two types of taxes: - 1 mark for each type identified (up to 2). - 1 mark for each correct description/example explaining how it raising revenue (up to 2).
3(c) Analyse government spending and economic growth: - Up to 6 marks for a sequential analysis: - Explains the short-run impact of spending on aggregate demand (1 mark). - Explains income and employment generation effects (1 mark). - Explains the long-run impact on costs of production for firms (1 mark). - Explains the increase in productive capacity / potential GDP (1 mark). - Links lowering of costs to export competitiveness or attracting FDI (1 mark).
3(d) Discuss protection of solar industries: - Level 3 (6-8 marks): A well-developed, balanced response showing deep understanding of infant industry arguments, transition speeds of clean energy, job creation, and risks of protectionism (inefficiency and trade wars). - Level 2 (3-5 marks): Discussion is present but unbalanced, or key terms (like tariffs, economies of scale) are used without clear explanation of their economic consequences. - Level 1 (1-2 marks): Basic list of pros and cons of protectionism without focus on the solar industry context.
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