Cambridge A Level Economics 9708 — 2009 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 2

Question 1

1 The diagram illustrates the production possibility curves for an economy in Year 1 (X1 Y1) and Year 2 (X2 Y2). Y1 Y2 good Y O X2 X1 good X What can be concluded from the diagram? A The cost of production was lower in Year 2 than in Year 1. B The full employment level of output was lower in Year 2 than in Year 1. C The opportunity cost of production was lower in Year 2 than in Year 1. D Unemployment rose between Year 1 and Year 2.

Accepted Answer

B

Question 2

2 What does the concept of ceteris paribus allow economists to do? A calculate the monetary value of consumer surplus B distinguish between economic and free goods C distinguish between normative and positive statements D isolate the effect of one variable on another variable

Accepted Answer

D

Question 3

3 The diagram shows a person’s marginal costs and marginal benefits of making trips to the cinema. costs, benefits marginal cost ($) marginal benefit 0 1 2 3 4 number of trips How many trips will the person make? A None, as each extra trip reduces marginal benefit. B One, as this maximises the excess of marginal benefit over marginal cost. C Two, as this maximises the net benefit of making trips. D Three, as all trips have a positive marginal benefit.

Accepted Answer

C

Question 4

4 A change in market conditions causes a reduction in supply. This results in a higher price for the product, which has a downward-sloping demand curve. What must be the outcome of this higher price? A an increase in the factors employed in the industry B an increase in producer’s revenue C a reduction in the quantity demanded D a reduction in the demand for substitutes

Accepted Answer

C

Question 5

5 A government wishes to impose a tax on a good so that the consumer and not the producer pays most of the tax increase. Which type of elasticity would best achieve this aim? A high price elasticity of supply B low price elasticity of supply C unitary price elasticity of supply D perfectly inelastic price elasticity of supply

Accepted Answer

A

Question 6

6 The table shows the price elasticity of demand for four goods and services. price elasticity motor cycles 1.6 telephone calls 1.0 football tickets 0.3 light bulbs 0.0 If the price of each item increased by 1 %, for which items would the total expenditure increase? A football tickets only B football tickets and light bulbs C motor cycles and telephone calls D motor cycles only

Accepted Answer

B

Question 7

7 Two goods, X and Y, are complementary goods. Column 1 of the table below shows the original market situation at time period 1 and column 2 shows the situation following an increase in the price of good Y. 1 2 price of good X 10 10 quantity demanded 50 40 price of good Y 20 30 quantity demanded 80 60 The value of cross elasticity of demand for good X with respect to the price of good Y lies between A –1.7 and –2.6. B –0.8 and –1.3. C –0.3 and –0.8. D +0.3 and +0.6.

Accepted Answer

C

Question 8

8 A specific tax is placed upon each bottle of perfume sold. In the diagram, SS is the supply curve before tax, StSt the supply curve after tax. St S W R price U Q X P T St D S O Y Z quantity Which area represents the revenue received by the government from the tax? A ORWY B PQUT C PRWT D QRWU

Accepted Answer

C

Question 9

9 The table shows the maximum price a consumer would be willing to pay for successive cans of fruit juice. cans first second third fourth fifth price ($) 14 10 6 4 3 The price of a can of fruit juice is $4 and, having bought three cans, the consumer decides to buy a fourth. How does buying the fourth can affect his consumer surplus? A It leaves it unchanged. B It lowers it by $2. C It raises it by $4. D It raises it by $34.

Accepted Answer

A

Question 10

10 What is generally considered to be one of the advantages of using the price mechanism as a rationing device? A It ensures that goods are allocated in accordance with the needs of consumers. B It ensures that suppliers cannot make excessive profits. C No one can be prevented from consuming a good if they are willing and able to pay the market price. D The allocation of goods is determined by consumers’ wealth.

Accepted Answer

C

Question 11

11 The demand curve in the diagram shows the relationship between the number of car journeys and the cost of a car journey. cost of a car journey D O number of car journeys What would cause the demand curve to shift to the left? A a reduction in car tax B a reduction in petrol prices C a reduction in public transport prices D the introduction of tolls on motorways

Accepted Answer

C

Question 12

12 What would cause a failure of the market mechanism’s rationing function? A falling prices B price controls C rising profits D self interest

Accepted Answer

B

Question 13

13 The government is considering building flood defences along a river. It has calculated the costs and benefits as follows. costs benefits $m $m private 450 260 external 60 190 According to cost-benefit analysis, which decision and reasoning about flood defences is correct? decision reasoning A Build. External benefits are greater than external costs. B Build. Social benefits are greater than private benefits. C Do not build. Private costs are greater than the external benefits. D Do not build. Social costs are greater than the social benefits.

Accepted Answer

D

Question 14

14 Despite much opposition, the local government in a popular tourist resort built a leisure centre and swimming pool which is open to everyone. Many tourists visit the centre. Local residents are charged a reduced entry fee. How would economists classify this service? A It is a demerit good because some people objected to the development. B It is a merit good because the entry fee is reduced for local residents. C It is a private good because there is an entry fee for all users. D It is a public good because it is open to everyone and provided by the local government.

Accepted Answer

C

Question 15

15 What can be provided only as a public good? A road use B security services C street lighting D TV broadcasting

Accepted Answer

C

Question 16

16 The diagram shows the market for wheat. S P2 price P1 D O X Y Z quantity What quantity of wheat must the government buy if it wishes to raise the market price from P1 to P2? A OZ B XY C XZ D YZ

Accepted Answer

C

Question 17

17 The government places a maximum price P1 on an agricultural product. The supply and demand conditions for this product are shown. S P1 price D O quantity What will be the outcome in the market for this product? A There will be an equilibrium price and output. B There will be a surplus of the product. C There will be higher than expected profits. D There will be shortages of this product.

Accepted Answer

A

Question 18

18 A country has the correct climate for growing tea, which is produced very cheaply and exported. Fruit is also grown, but this costs more as the climate is not as suitable. Fruit can be sold at a higher price than tea so some of the land used for tea is switched to fruit. What will definitely happen as a result? A There will be an increase in specialisation by the country. B There will be an increase in the imports of tea. C There will be an opportunity cost of the loss of the tea production. D There will be production in line with absolute advantage.

Accepted Answer

C

Question 19

19 A government has been protecting its domestic car industry with a quota on imported cars. It then removes the quota and replaces it with a subsidy to domestic car producers. How will this change affect the price of cars and the level of consumer choice? price of cars level of choice A decrease decrease B decrease increase C increase decrease D increase increase

Accepted Answer

B

Question 20

20 What will cause an improvement in a country’s terms of trade? A a fall in incomes abroad B a fall in its exchange rate C a rise in its inflation rate D a rise in the price of its imports

Accepted Answer

C

Question 21

21 The table shows the balances for four items in a country’s current account on the balance of payments for two years. current visible invisible income transfers year 1 –72 84 12 –24 year 2 –87 46 –3 –4 What can be concluded about the changes between year 1 and year 2? A The current account balance has moved into deficit. B The difference between the value of exported and imported services has increased. C The earnings from ownership of foreign assets have increased. D The value of exported goods has fallen.

Accepted Answer

A

Question 22

22 What could lead to an increase in the size of a country’s labour force? A a decrease in unemployment B a decrease in the retirement age C an increase in the participation rate D an increase in the school-leaving age

Accepted Answer

C

Question 23

23 What may cause cost-push inflation? A an appreciation of the exchange rate B a higher level of consumption C an increase in labour productivity D an increase in trade union power

Accepted Answer

D

Question 24

24 The graphs show consumer prices and employment for Ireland. 4 3 consumer prices % increase on a 2 year earlier 1 0 2002 03 04 05 06 07 7.0 6.0 unemployment as % of 5.0 labour force 4.0 2002 03 04 05 06 07 What can be concluded from the graphs? A Between 2003 and 2004, unemployment and prices moved in the same direction. B Prices were at their lowest in 2004. C Prices rose continuously over the period. D The number of unemployed workers fell over the period.

Accepted Answer

C

Question 25

25 The table gives details of some parts of a country’s balance of payments. In which year did the country have its largest visible trade deficit? value of exports of value of imports of value of net income goods ($m) goods ($m) and transfers ($m) A 3914 3005 +110 B 3950 4073 +80 C 4774 4781 –65 D 5226 5102 –101

Accepted Answer

B

Question 26

26 The table shows indicators of a country’s economic performance over a two-year period. balance of trade in exchange volume of volume of year goods and services rate index exports index imports index ($) 1 100 100 100 zero 2 100 90 100 +500 million What is consistent with the above information? A There has been a fall in the price of exports. B There has been an improvement in the terms of trade. C There has been an increase in the level of real income per head. D There has been an increase in the price of imports.

Accepted Answer

B

Question 27

27 The diagram shows the market for Japanese Yen. S2 S1 price of Yen in terms of other currencies D O quantity of Yen What could have caused the change in the supply of Yen from S1 to S2? A a reduction in the level of international investment into Japan B a reduction in the level of Japanese tariffs C a reduction in the value of foreign goods imported into Japan D a reduction in the value of Japanese goods exported

Accepted Answer

C

Question 28

28 Country X trades with only two countries, the USA and Japan. 90 % of the country’s trade is with the USA and 10 % is with Japan. The original value of the trade-weighted exchange rate index is 100. The value of country X’s currency against the US$ rises by 10%. The value of country X’s currency against the Japanese yen rises by 50 %. What will be the value of country X’s new trade-weighted exchange rate index? A 114 B 115 C 130 D 160

Accepted Answer

A

Question 29

29 A government with a floating exchange rate wishes to encourage a rise in the international value of its currency. What should it do? A Lower the level of domestic interest rates. B Reduce the amount of foreign currency available to its citizens. C Reduce subsidies to its exporters. D Remove trade barriers on imports.

Accepted Answer

B

Question 30

30 Tom has set up his own business, which is based in premises owned by Fanda. All machinery is hired from an equipment company. Both Tom and Fanda are employed in the business. What describes the earnings of Tom and Fanda? Tom Fanda A rent and profit interest and profit B wages and profit wages and rent C interest and rent rent and profit D wages and interest wages and interest

Accepted Answer

B

Cambridge A Level Economics 9708 — 2009 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 2

Question paper12 pages

Mark scheme2 pages

Questions as text

Q1 · The diagram illustrates the production possibility curves for an economy in Year 1 (X1…

Q2 · What does the concept of ceteris paribus allow economists to do?

Q3 · The diagram shows a person’s marginal costs and marginal benefits of making trips to the…

Q4 · A change in market conditions causes a reduction in supply

Q5 · A government wishes to impose a tax on a good so that the consumer and not the producer…

Q6 · The table shows the price elasticity of demand for four goods and services

Q7 · Two goods, X and Y, are complementary goods

Q8 · A specific tax is placed upon each bottle of perfume sold

Q9 · The table shows the maximum price a consumer would be willing to pay for successive cans…

Q10 · What is generally considered to be one of the advantages of using the price mechanism as…

Q11 · The demand curve in the diagram shows the relationship between the number of car journeys…

Q12 · What would cause a failure of the market mechanism’s rationing function?

Q13 · The government is considering building flood defences along a river

Q14 · Despite much opposition, the local government in a popular tourist resort built a leisure…

Q15 · What can be provided only as a public good?

Q16 · The diagram shows the market for wheat

Q17 · The government places a maximum price P1 on an agricultural product

Q18 · A country has the correct climate for growing tea, which is produced very cheaply and…

Q19 · A government has been protecting its domestic car industry with a quota on imported cars

Q20 · What will cause an improvement in a country’s terms of trade?

Q21 · The table shows the balances for four items in a country’s current account on the balance…

Q22 · What could lead to an increase in the size of a country’s labour force?

Q23 · What may cause cost-push inflation?

Q24 · The graphs show consumer prices and employment for Ireland

Q25 · The table gives details of some parts of a country’s balance of payments

Q26 · The table shows indicators of a country’s economic performance over a two-year period

Q27 · The diagram shows the market for Japanese Yen

Q28 · Country X trades with only two countries, the USA and Japan

Q29 · A government with a floating exchange rate wishes to encourage a rise in the…

Q30 · Tom has set up his own business, which is based in premises owned by Fanda

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