Cambridge A Level Economics 9708 — 2014 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 1
9708/11/M/J/14 · 30 questions · 30 marks · ≈34 min
The question paper and its mark scheme, free to read here and free to download. This is Cambridge’s own paper, exactly as it was sat.
Question paper12 pages












Mark scheme2 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.


Questions as text
Q1 · What is likely to occur as a result of a permanent rise in unemployment resulting in loss…
1 What is likely to occur as a result of a permanent rise in unemployment resulting in loss of skills? A a reduction in the economy’s long-run production possibility B a reduction in the scarcity of resources C an increase in the cost of allocating resources D an increase in the number of adults experiencing the economic problem
Mark scheme: A
Q2 · What is likely to be the short-run consequence of replacing central planning with a…
2 What is likely to be the short-run consequence of replacing central planning with a market-based system? A a decrease in the rate of inflation B a lower rate of return on capital investment C a more equal distribution of income and wealth D an increase in the level of unemployment
Mark scheme: D
More questions on Resource allocation in different economic systems
Q3 · The diagram illustrates the production possibility curve of an economy in Year 1 (X1 Y1)…
3 The diagram illustrates the production possibility curve of an economy in Year 1 (X1 Y1) and in Year 2 (X2 Y2). Y2 Y1 good Y O X1 X2 good X What can be concluded from the diagram? A The cost of production was higher in Year 2 than in Year 1. B The full employment level of output was higher in Year 2 than in Year 1. C The opportunity cost of production was higher in Year 2 than in Year 1. D Unemployment was higher in Year 2 than in Year 1.
Mark scheme: B
Q4 · An American bought an English football team in 2013
4 An American bought an English football team in 2013. The money to purchase the club came from loans, which meant future interest payments of more than US $95 million. Which function of money is best illustrated by this transaction? A double coincidence of wants B general acceptability C standard of deferred payments D store of value
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · The market demand for a product is made up of the demand from three firms, X, Y and Z
5 The market demand for a product is made up of the demand from three firms, X, Y and Z. The table shows the demand from each firm and the market supply. price $ demand from X demand from Y demand from Z market supply 7 3300 3300 3300 3 300 8 3100 2900 3100 6 200 9 2800 2500 2900 8 200 10 2500 2100 2700 10 000 What is the equilibrium price in the market? A $7 B $8 C $9 D $10
Mark scheme: C
Q6 · In the diagram, D1 is the initial demand curve for student places at universities
6 In the diagram, D1 is the initial demand curve for student places at universities. D1 D2 fees D2 D1 O student places What could cause the demand curve to shift to D2? A a decrease in student fees for universities B a decrease in the level of youth unemployment C an increase in graduate earnings compared with non-graduate earnings D higher A Level grades demanded for university entrance
Mark scheme: C
Q7 · In the diagram D1D1 is a straight line demand curve and D2D2 is a rectangular hyperbola…
7 In the diagram D1D1 is a straight line demand curve and D2D2 is a rectangular hyperbola curve. D1 D2 M price D2 N D1 O quantity Which statement is correct? A D2D2 is more elastic than D1D1 at point M. B D2D2 is more elastic than D1D1 at point N. C The elasticity of demand increases on moving down both curves. D The elasticity of demand is inelastic at point M on both curves.
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Price elasticity, income elasticity and cross elasticity of demand
Q8 · The table shows changes in a consumer’s expenditure on various goods when her income…
8 The table shows changes in a consumer’s expenditure on various goods when her income increases from $20 000 to $24 000. income income $20 000: $24 000: good amount spent amount spent on good on good ($) ($) W 100 96 X 100 100 Y 200 224 Z 200 248 Assuming all else remains unchanged, for which goods is the consumer’s income elasticity of demand greater than 1.0? A W, Y and Z B W and Z only C W only D Z only
Mark scheme: D
More questions on Price elasticity, income elasticity and cross elasticity of demand
Q9 · The diagram shows the demand for and supply of a product
9 The diagram shows the demand for and supply of a product. D price S O quantity What can be deduced about the product? A It has infinite price elasticity of demand. B It has no substitutes. C It is an inferior good. D It takes a large proportion of consumer income.
Mark scheme: B
Q10 · In 2010, poor harvests reduced fruit crops, and furniture producers gave big discounts on…
10 In 2010, poor harvests reduced fruit crops, and furniture producers gave big discounts on furniture products. How might these changes have affected the position of the supply curve for the products? fruit furniture producers A no change shift to the left B shift to the left no change C shift to the left shift to the left D shift to the right no change
Mark scheme: B
Q11 · The diagram shows a supply curve
11 The diagram shows a supply curve. S price O quantity Which statement describes the price elasticity of supply along this curve? A It diminishes as quantity increases. B It is constant and greater than unity at all quantities. C It is constant and less than unity at all quantities. D It increases as quantity increases.
Mark scheme: A
Q12 · The table shows a competitive market in equilibrium in two periods
12 The table shows a competitive market in equilibrium in two periods. period market price quantity traded 1 50 cents 10 000 units 2 60 cents 12 000 units What could explain the change from period 1 to period 2? A an increase in the price of a complement B an increase in the price of a substitute C the imposition of a minimum price of 60 cents by a government D the imposition of an indirect tax on suppliers
Mark scheme: B
Q13 · A country experiences a very wet and cold summer
13 A country experiences a very wet and cold summer. How might this affect the price of umbrellas and the price of ice creams? price of umbrellas price of ice creams A decrease decrease B decrease increase C increase decrease D increase increase
Mark scheme: C
Q14 · What is an externality created by an individual consuming take-away food?
14 What is an externality created by an individual consuming take-away food? A the cost to the individual of purchasing the take-away food B the litter created by the individual’s take-away food packaging being discarded C the pleasure derived by the individual from eating the take-away food D the time saved by the individual purchasing the take-away food
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Private costs and benefits, externalities and social costs and benefits
Q15 · A project has a social cost of $100 million, a private cost of $40 million and an…
15 A project has a social cost of $100 million, a private cost of $40 million and an external benefit of $20 million. Its net social value is zero. What can be concluded about the project? A External cost is greater than external benefit. B Private cost is greater than external cost. C Private cost is greater than private benefit. D Social cost is greater than social benefit.
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Private costs and benefits, externalities and social costs and benefits
Q16 · What is least likely to be included in a cost-benefit analysis of a proposed new…
16 What is least likely to be included in a cost-benefit analysis of a proposed new university? A the costs of building the new university B the extra income earned by the new university’s graduates C the future staffing costs of other universities D the staffing costs of the new university five years into the future
Mark scheme: C
More questions on Private costs and benefits, externalities and social costs and benefits
Q17 · A local government decided to organise a craft show in its exhibition centre
17 A local government decided to organise a craft show in its exhibition centre. Admission was $3. It promoted the show by paying for advertisements on advertising sites around the area. How may the craft show and the advertisements be classified from the viewpoint of local residents? craft show advertisements A private good private good B private good public good C public good private good D public good public good
Mark scheme: B
Q18 · The diagram shows the original market clearing price is P1
18 The diagram shows the original market clearing price is P1. The government then imposes a maximum price of P2 on the industry. S P2 P1 price D O quantity What will result from this? A a higher price and output B a shortage C a surplus D an unchanged price and output
Mark scheme: D
More questions on Methods and effects of government intervention in markets
Q19 · The diagram shows that a country can make a product at less than the world price
19 The diagram shows that a country can make a product at less than the world price. domestic supply D R T P1 world price U V P price W S domestic demand O X Y Z quantity What will happen if it engages in international trade? A Domestic consumers will experience a fall in consumer surplus of RVT. B Domestic output of OY will be exported. C Domestic producers will gain an increase in revenue of PP1TV. D Revenue from exports will be XRTZ from the product.
Mark scheme: D
Q20 · Which argument is an importer most likely to use to gain the support of consumers for…
20 Which argument is an importer most likely to use to gain the support of consumers for free trade? A More imports allow the government to raise revenue from tariffs. B More imports improve the country’s terms of trade. C More imports increase competition in the domestic economy. D More imports raise total employment in the domestic economy.
Mark scheme: C
Q21 · A country is a major producer of cotton
21 A country is a major producer of cotton. Its government imposes a tax on exports of its cotton. What effect will this have on the price of cotton in the domestic and world markets? domestic price world price A decrease decrease B decrease increase C increase decrease D increase increase
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · A US company receives a US$20 million dividend from shares that it owns in a Brazilian…
22 A US company receives a US$20 million dividend from shares that it owns in a Brazilian company. How would this dividend be shown in the balance of payments of the United States? A a credit in the capital account B a credit in the current account C a debit in the capital account D a debit in the current account
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Current account of the balance of payments
Q23 · In 2007 Turkey had a population of 73 m
23 In 2007 Turkey had a population of 73 m. Its labour force was 36 m, of which 12 m were trained for the primary sector and 24 m were trained for the secondary and tertiary sectors. The unemployment rate was 10%. What was the number of people unemployed? A 1.2 m B 2.4 m C 3.6 m D 7.3 m
Mark scheme: C
Q24 · The diagram shows the macroeconomic equilibrium output and price level changing from Y…
24 The diagram shows the macroeconomic equilibrium output and price level changing from Y and P to Y1 and P1. AD LRAS AD1 price P level P1 AD AD1 O Y1 Y real output What could have caused this change? A a decrease in exports B a decrease in labour productivity C an increase in the government’s spending D an increase in the money supply
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply analysis
Q25 · The table shows an index of consumer prices (2005 = 100) for a number of countries for…
25 The table shows an index of consumer prices (2005 = 100) for a number of countries for 2009, 2010 and 2011. 2009 2010 2011 Canada 107.8 108.9 112.0 Greece 111.9 117.2 121.1 India 135.2 151.4 164.8 Japan 100.3 99.6 99.3 Portugal 107.4 108.9 112.9 Switzerland 104.3 104.5 104.7 Which statement about the period 2009 to 2011 is not correct? A Prices fell in Japan. B Prices increased in Switzerland. C Prices rose more in Greece than in India. D Prices rose more in Portugal than in Canada.
Mark scheme: C
Q26 · In what circumstances will money lose its value?
26 In what circumstances will money lose its value? A The economy experiences a period of deflation. B The general level of prices is falling. C The growth of money supply falls below the growth of output. D The rate of inflation is positive.
Mark scheme: D
Q27 · What would most help a country to achieve a surplus on the current account of the balance…
27 What would most help a country to achieve a surplus on the current account of the balance of payments? A a depreciating exchange rate combined with a high rate of inflation and falling productivity B a depreciating exchange rate combined with a low rate of inflation and rising productivity C an appreciating exchange rate combined with a high rate of inflation and falling productivity D an appreciating exchange rate combined with a low rate of inflation and rising productivity
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Policies to correct imbalances in the current account of the balance of payments
Q28 · At the start of the year, the exchange rate of Country X’s dollar (X$) to Country Y’s…
28 At the start of the year, the exchange rate of Country X’s dollar (X$) to Country Y’s pound (Y£) is X$4.80 : Y£1 During the year prices increase by 10% in Country X and by 20% in Country Y. According to Purchasing Power Parity theory, what will be the exchange rate at the end of the year? A X$4.40 : Y£1 B X$4.90 : Y£1 C X$5.00 : Y£1 D X$5.20 : Y£1
Mark scheme: A
Q29 · Devaluation always has the effect of A decreasing the price of imports
29 Devaluation always has the effect of A decreasing the price of imports. B decreasing the value of imports. C worsening the balance of payments. D worsening the terms of trade.
Mark scheme: D
Q30 · Policies to correct a balance of payments deficit fall into two categories…
30 Policies to correct a balance of payments deficit fall into two categories: expenditure-dampening policies and expenditure-switching policies. Which pair of policies in the table are classified correctly? expenditure-dampening expenditure-switching policy policy an increase in the the imposition of A rate of income tax import quotas an increase in the rate an increase in the B of value added tax rate of income tax devaluation of the an increase in the rate C currency of value added tax the imposition of devaluation of D import quotas the currency
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Policies to correct imbalances in the current account of the balance of payments
What was in this paper
The subtopics covered by these 30 questions, and how many questions each got. Open one in a new tab to see every Cambridge question on it.
4Private costs and benefits, externalities and social costs and benefits3Demand and supply curves2Exchange rates2Policies to correct imbalances in the current account of the balance of payments2Price elasticity, income elasticity and cross elasticity of demand2Price stability2Production possibility curves2Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply analysis1Classification of goods and services1Consumer and producer surplus1Current account of the balance of payments1Methods and effects of government intervention in markets1Money and banking1Price elasticity of supply1Protectionism1Resource allocation in different economic systems1The reasons for international trade1Unemployment1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2014 May/June, Paper 1 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.