Cambridge A Level Economics 9708 — 2022 Oct/Nov Paper 3 · Variant 1
9708/31/O/N/22 · 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 scheme3 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.



Questions as text
Q1 · In an economy, no-one can be made better off without making someone else worse off
1 In an economy, no-one can be made better off without making someone else worse off. What can be deduced from this? A Individuals are the best judges of their own well-being. B Individuals can be relied upon to behave rationally. C The distribution of income is socially optimal. D The economy’s resources are allocated efficiently.
Mark scheme: D
Q2 · The diagram shows the costs and benefits of producing a good
2 The diagram shows the costs and benefits of producing a good. The good has negative externalities in production and positive externalities in consumption. The free market equilibrium is at point X. What is the new equilibrium point when the externalities are taken into consideration? costs, MSC1 benefits B $ MPC A X MSC2 C D MSB1 MPB MSB2 O output
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Private costs and benefits, externalities and social costs and benefits
Q3 · The Airports Commission in the UK recommended an expansion of airport X rather than…
3 The Airports Commission in the UK recommended an expansion of airport X rather than airport Y. In considering the social costs and benefits of this decision, what would be taken into account when calculating the external cost? A the additional noise pollution suffered by residents local to airport X B the financial loss suffered by airlines operating at airport Y C the increase in profits of the firm operating airport X D the monetary cost of the construction to expand airport X
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Private costs and benefits, externalities and social costs and benefits
Q4 · What is a correct statement of the equi-marginal utility rule?
4 What is a correct statement of the equi-marginal utility rule? A The marginal utility of X must equal the marginal utility of Y. B The marginal utility of X divided by the price of X must equal the marginal utility of Y divided by the price of Y. C The marginal utility of X divided by the price of Y must equal the marginal utility of Y divided by the price of Y. D The price of X must equal the price of Y.
Mark scheme: B
Q5 · Which statement is correct?
5 Which statement is correct? A A budget line shows the combinations of two goods which can be bought with a given income. B A budget line shows the combinations of two goods which a consumer wants to buy. C A budget line shows the difference between income and expenditure. D A budget line shows the maximum potential output of two goods with given resources.
Mark scheme: A
Q6 · In the diagram, YL and YM show two budget lines for a consumer of a product, X, when its…
6 In the diagram, YL and YM show two budget lines for a consumer of a product, X, when its price changes. IC1 and IC2 are two indifference curves, representing the consumer’s preferences between product X and spending on other goods. spending on Y other goods E2 IC2 E1 IC1 O L M quantity of X What is not a valid statement? A Product X must be a Giffen good, since the consumer spends more on other goods after the price change. B The consumer has greater satisfaction at E2 than at E1. C The prices of other goods are assumed to be held constant when drawing the budget lines. D The shift from YL to YM represents a fall in the price of product X.
Mark scheme: A
Q7 · The list provides characteristics of the market in which firm X operates
7 The list provides characteristics of the market in which firm X operates. ● Firms in the market spend a lot of money on advertising. ● Firms in the market experience a high level of uncertainty. ● Start-up costs for new firms entering the market are relatively high. ● The largest five firms in the market control 85% of total sales. In which market structure is firm X operating? A monopoly B monopolistic competition C oligopoly D perfect competition
Mark scheme: C
Q8 · What explains why, in long-run equilibrium in monopolistic competition, firms make only…
8 What explains why, in long-run equilibrium in monopolistic competition, firms make only normal profits? A consumer resistance B decreasing returns to scale C differentiated products D freedom of entry and exit
Mark scheme: D
Q9 · The diagram shows four possible output levels of a firm
9 The diagram shows four possible output levels of a firm. At its current level of output, the firm’s product has a price elasticity of demand of exactly –1. Which output is the firm selling? MC cost, revenue AC B C AR O A D MR quantity
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Differing objectives and policies of firms
Q10 · Which conditions enable price discrimination?
10 Which conditions enable price discrimination? 1 The firm can separate the total market into different sub-markets. 2 There are different price elasticities of demand (PED) in each separate sub-market. 3 The marginal revenue curve is the same in each separate market. A 1 and 2 only B 1 and 3 only C 2 and 3 only D 1, 2 and 3
Mark scheme: A
Q11 · The diagram shows a firm producing at Q1 on short-run average cost SRAC1
11 The diagram shows a firm producing at Q1 on short-run average cost SRAC1. $ SRAC1 C1 LRAC O Q1 quantity Which strategy will achieve the greatest reduction in average costs at this output? A increasing its fixed factors of production only B increasing its fixed and variable factors of production C reducing its fixed factors of production only D reducing its fixed and variable factors of production
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Types of cost, revenue and profit, short-run and long-run production
Q12 · Which change would make it easier for a cartel to operate effectively?
12 Which change would make it easier for a cartel to operate effectively? A an increase in competition from closely related industries B an increase in the number of firms in the industry C an increase in the range of products made by cartel members D an increase in the stability of the market for its products
Mark scheme: D
Q13 · Some workers in a low-paid job decide to work longer hours to increase their disposable…
13 Some workers in a low-paid job decide to work longer hours to increase their disposable income. However, this decision reduces state-provided benefits, leaving them worse off. What does this describe? A debt trap B liquidity trap C poverty trap D unemployment trap
Mark scheme: C
More questions on Equity and redistribution of income and wealth
Q14 · What indicates that nationalisation has taken place?
14 What indicates that nationalisation has taken place? A a firm buys supplies locally rather than from international sources B a firm moves from private ownership to state ownership C a firm restricts ownership of its shares to citizens of its own country D a firm switches sales to the domestic market from the international market
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Resource allocation in different economic systems
Q15 · Too many flights in the airline industry cause unnecessary damage to the environment
15 Too many flights in the airline industry cause unnecessary damage to the environment. Which measure is most likely to result in the socially optimal number of flights? A a complete ban on flights removing all private and external costs B greater deregulation of the global airline industry C publishing information to highlight the negative effects of flying on the environment D the payment of a subsidy per passenger equal to the difference between the private and social benefit
Mark scheme: C
Q16 · A government is worried about the increasing monopsony power of employers in the wage…
16 A government is worried about the increasing monopsony power of employers in the wage bargaining process. Which policy combination is most likely to improve the wages and employment prospects of workers? trade union immigration national powers controls minimum wage A strengthen relax cut B strengthen strengthen raise C weaken relax cut D weaken strengthen raise
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Labour market forces and government intervention
Q17 · The diagram shows the labour market for fruit pickers in country X
17 The diagram shows the labour market for fruit pickers in country X. wage marginal wage W average wage average revenue product marginal revenue product O quantity of labourers If the market was originally in equilibrium, what would happen to wages and employment if a minimum wage of W were imposed? wages employment A fall fall B fall rise C rise fall D rise rise
Mark scheme: D
More questions on Labour market forces and government intervention
Q18 · What would not be regarded as an example of a possible negative impact of rapid economic…
18 What would not be regarded as an example of a possible negative impact of rapid economic growth? A Greater production could result in greater atmospheric pollution. B A higher level of income could cause a higher balance of trade deficit. C Increased AD could cause domestic inflation to increase. D Increased GDP could generate greater tax receipts.
Mark scheme: D
Q19 · How can GDP at market prices be calculated if GDP at factor cost is known?
19 How can GDP at market prices be calculated if GDP at factor cost is known? A add taxes, add subsidies B add taxes, subtract subsidies C subtract taxes, add subsidies D subtract taxes, subtract subsidies
Mark scheme: B
Q20 · Which combination indicates that GDP per capita is likely to be an accurate indicator of…
20 Which combination indicates that GDP per capita is likely to be an accurate indicator of living standards in a country over time? hidden economy quality of goods and income distribution as % of GDP services produced A equal large constant B unequal large improving C equal small improving D unequal small constant
Mark scheme: C
More questions on Characteristics of countries at different levels of development
Q21 · Which statement about unemployment is correct?
21 Which statement about unemployment is correct? A Cyclical unemployment is caused by the occupational immobility of labour. B Frictional unemployment is caused by a lack of information on jobs in the labour market. C Structural unemployment is caused by a deficiency in aggregate demand. D Voluntary unemployment is caused by variations in the demand for labour in the year.
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · The graph shows the percentage unemployed in a country for the period 2017–2021
22 The graph shows the percentage unemployed in a country for the period 2017–2021. 8.5 % 8 7.5 7 6.5 6 5.5 5 4.5 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 What is the most likely cause of the change in unemployment? A a reduction in government expenditure B a reduction in interest rates C a reduction in investment by firms D a slowdown in growth in the global economy
Mark scheme: B
Q23 · What is the definition of liquidity?
23 What is the definition of liquidity? A the ability of the foreign exchange market to buy foreign currency B the support a central bank provides for commercial banks C the ease with which an asset can be converted into cash D the reaction of governments to a global financial crisis
Mark scheme: C
Q24 · What will decrease if an open economy experiences a positive output gap?
24 What will decrease if an open economy experiences a positive output gap? A general price level B import spending C spare capacity D wage rates
Mark scheme: C
Q25 · Which statement does not correctly characterise the Monetarist view of the way in which…
25 Which statement does not correctly characterise the Monetarist view of the way in which the economy operates? A Inflation is always caused by increases in the money supply in the long run. B The long-run aggregate supply curve is vertical in shape. C The velocity of circulation of money is highly unstable. D Wages are flexible both upwards and downwards.
Mark scheme: C
More questions on Government macroeconomic policy objectives
Q26 · In an economy, the marginal propensity to consume is 0.2, the marginal propensity to save…
26 In an economy, the marginal propensity to consume is 0.2, the marginal propensity to save is 0.3, the marginal propensity to tax is 0.3 and the marginal propensity to import is 0.2 at all levels of income. What would be the most likely consequence of an increase in government expenditure of $1000m? A Import expenditure would increase by $200m. B Import expenditure would increase by $1000m. C Tax revenues would increase by $75m. D Tax revenues would increase by $375m.
Mark scheme: D
Q27 · A developing (low-income) economy is heavily dependent on the production of primary…
27 A developing (low-income) economy is heavily dependent on the production of primary products. A multinational car manufacturing company invests in the country and builds a new factory. What will not be a long lasting benefit of the company’s investment in the developing economy? A The company introduces new technology to the economy. B The company provides diversification of production for the economy. C The company provides skills training for local workers. D The company purchases non-renewable local construction materials for the factory.
Mark scheme: D
Q28 · An economy adopts an expansionary monetary policy to boost employment
28 An economy adopts an expansionary monetary policy to boost employment. A result of this policy is that the consumer price index rises at an accelerating rate. Which curve could represent this? A Kuznets curve B Laffer curve C Lorenz curve D Phillips curve
Mark scheme: D
More questions on Links between macroeconomic problems and their interrelatedness
Q29 · A government wishes to increase economic efficiency in the country
29 A government wishes to increase economic efficiency in the country. It raises the rate of income tax which leads to the emigration of high-earning skilled workers that the country needs. How would this outcome be described? government negative market failure failure externality A no no yes B no yes no C yes yes no D yes no no
Mark scheme: D
Q30 · An economy is operating at full employment
30 An economy is operating at full employment. Which policy is most likely to lead to an increase in real national output without an increase in the rate of inflation in the short term? A additional spending on subsidies to increase export earnings B the central bank introduces quantitative easing C labour market reforms result in increased output per hour worked D the government reduces income tax rates
Mark scheme: C
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.
4Economic growth and sustainability2Government policies to achieve efficient resource allocation and correct market failure2Indifference curves and budget lines2Labour market forces and government intervention2Private costs and benefits, externalities and social costs and benefits2Characteristics of countries at different levels of development1Differing objectives and policies of firms1Economic development1Efficiency and market failure1Equity and redistribution of income and wealth1Government macroeconomic policy objectives1Links between macroeconomic problems and their interrelatedness1Monetary policy1Money and banking1National income statistics1Resource allocation in different economic systems1Supply-side policy1The circular flow of income1Types of cost, revenue and profit, short-run and long-run production1Unemployment1Utility1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2022 Oct/Nov, Paper 3 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.