Cambridge A Level Economics 9708 — 2023 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 1
9708/11/O/N/23 · 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 · What will help solve the basic economic problem?
1 What will help solve the basic economic problem? A the control of the market system B the efficient allocation of scarce resources C the preservation of a healthy environment D the elimination of hunger
Mark scheme: B
Q2 · Country Z operates with a production possibility curve (PPC)
2 Country Z operates with a production possibility curve (PPC). Currently, output is at combination 1. PPC good Y 2 3 1 4 O good X Which movement has zero opportunity cost in terms of the goods produced? A 1 to 2 B 1 to 3 C 2 to 3 D 3 to 4
Mark scheme: B
Q3 · A country’s health care is funded by taxation but can be used free of charge by patients
3 A country’s health care is funded by taxation but can be used free of charge by patients. Which type of good is health care in this country? A demerit good B free good C private good D public good
Mark scheme: C
Q4 · What is least likely to increase as a result of a transition from a planned economy to a…
4 What is least likely to increase as a result of a transition from a planned economy to a free market economy? A prices of goods and services B privately owned resources C provision of merit goods D structural unemployment
Mark scheme: C
More questions on Resource allocation in different economic systems
Q5 · Which statement correctly describes the area of producer surplus on a demand and supply…
5 Which statement correctly describes the area of producer surplus on a demand and supply diagram? A It is above the supply curve and below the equilibrium price line. B It is above the supply curve and below the demand curve. C It is below the demand curve and above the equilibrium price line. D It is below the supply curve and above the horizontal axis.
Mark scheme: A
Q6 · The diagram shows a demand curve for pineapples
6 The diagram shows a demand curve for pineapples. 2 price ($) X 1.5 1 Y 0.5 0 D 0 3 6 9 12 quantity (000s) What happens to the value of price elasticity of demand (PED) when there is a movement from point X to point Y and what describes the value of PED at point Y? effect on value of value of PED PED at Y A fall elastic B fall inelastic C rise elastic D unchanged unitary
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Price elasticity, income elasticity and cross elasticity of demand
Q7 · In a free market, there is a surplus of a good
7 In a free market, there is a surplus of a good. Which change would cause the market to come to an equilibrium? A a decrease in demand B a fall in price C a government minimum price D an increase in supply
Mark scheme: B
Q8 · The cross-elasticity of demand between good P and good Q is –0.4
8 The cross-elasticity of demand between good P and good Q is –0.4. The cross-elasticity of demand between good P and good R is +0.6. Which combination of goods is most likely to be represented by this information? good P good Q good R A cream yoghurt raspberry B yoghurt strawberry raspberry C strawberry cream raspberry D strawberry raspberry cream
Mark scheme: C
More questions on Price elasticity, income elasticity and cross elasticity of demand
Q9 · The supply, S, of a product is determined by the equation S = 10 + 10P where P is the…
9 The supply, S, of a product is determined by the equation S = 10 + 10P where P is the price of the product in $. What is the product’s price elasticity of supply when its price rises from $1 to $2? A 0.5 B 1.0 C 2.0 D 5.0
Mark scheme: A
Q10 · In the diagram, the supply curve shows the number of spaces in a car park and the demand…
10 In the diagram, the supply curve shows the number of spaces in a car park and the demand curves show the demand for spaces on four different days, D1, D2, D3 and D4. S price P4 P3 D4 P2 D3 P1 D2 D1 O quantity The owner wishes to charge a parking fee on each of these days to allocate the spaces according to the market mechanism. Which pricing policy should the owner use? A set a fixed price at P1 B set a fixed price at P4 C vary prices between P2 and P3 D vary prices between P1 and P4
Mark scheme: D
More questions on Resource allocation in different economic systems
Q11 · The table shows the demand schedule for textbooks
11 The table shows the demand schedule for textbooks. price quantity $ demanded 50 0 40 100 30 200 20 300 10 400 0 500 What can be concluded from this information? A Profit would be maximised at a price of $30. B Profit would not change if the price rose from $20 to $30. C Revenue would increase if the price was decreased from $40 to $30. D Revenue would be maximised at a price of $40.
Mark scheme: C
More questions on Price elasticity, income elasticity and cross elasticity of demand
Q12 · Which event is most likely to enable firms to respond to an increase in demand by…
12 Which event is most likely to enable firms to respond to an increase in demand by increasing supply rather than by raising price? A Firms reduce their expenditure on the training of workers. B Import duties are increased on machines that increase the speed of production. C The government introduces buffer stock schemes for the goods produced by the firm. D Trade unions become strong, leading to poor labour productivity.
Mark scheme: C
Q13 · In the diagram, S1 is the supply curve and D1 is the initial demand for facemask X
13 In the diagram, S1 is the supply curve and D1 is the initial demand for facemask X. A rival firm produces facemask Y, which is a close substitute. price of S1 facemask X D2 D1 O quantity of facemask X What would cause the demand curve to shift to D2? A a decrease in the costs of the materials to make facemask X B a decrease in the costs of the materials to make facemask Y C an increase in the price of facemask X D an increase in the price of facemask Y
Mark scheme: D
Q14 · A government introduces charges for vehicles using the roads in its capital city
14 A government introduces charges for vehicles using the roads in its capital city. Which characteristic must the roads have for this to be successful in reducing congestion? A The roads must be excludable. B The roads must be merit goods. C The roads must be non-rivalrous. D The roads must be public goods.
Mark scheme: A
Q15 · The table shows the tax an individual would pay at different levels of income
15 The table shows the tax an individual would pay at different levels of income. annual income tax paid ($) ($) 20 000 1 000 30 000 3 000 40 000 6 000 50 000 8 000 60 000 12 000 What is the average rate of taxation and the marginal rate of taxation for an individual with an annual income of $50 000? average rate marginal rate of taxation of taxation % % A 15 16 B 16 20 C 16 28 D 20 20
Mark scheme: B
Q16 · A government has increased output with no effect on the price level
16 A government has increased output with no effect on the price level. AS price level AD1 AD2 AD3 AD4 O output What must have been the initial level of aggregate demand (AD)? A AD1 B AD2 C AD3 D AD4
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply analysis
Q17 · What is not included in the measurement of national income?
17 What is not included in the measurement of national income? A benefits paid to the unemployed B dividends paid to shareholders C profits retained by companies D rent paid to landlords
Mark scheme: A
Q18 · Four students have to fill in the gaps in the sentence shown
18 Four students have to fill in the gaps in the sentence shown. ‘A person is defined as unemployed if they are ......1...... to work at ......2...... wage rate, but cannot find a job despite an active search for work.’ Which student fills gaps 1 and 2 correctly? 1 2 A able below the current B able the current C able, available and willing above the current D able, available and willing the current
Mark scheme: D
Q19 · Which statement best describes the consumer prices index (CPI)?
19 Which statement best describes the consumer prices index (CPI)? A It is a measure of changes in the spending patterns of the average household. B It is a measure of changes in the standard of living of the average household. C It is a measure of the average change in prices of a basket of goods and services over time. D It is a measure of the level of prices of all goods and services.
Mark scheme: C
Q20 · The diagram shows the production possibility curves (PPCs) for country X and country Y…
20 The diagram shows the production possibility curves (PPCs) for country X and country Y, the only two countries in the world. Both countries produce just two goods, M and N. 200 output of good M PPCY 100 PPCX 0 0 100 150 output of good N Under which terms of trade will both country X and country Y benefit from trading with each other? A 1M for 0.75N B 1M for 0.8N C 1M for 1N D 1M for 2N
Mark scheme: B
Q21 · Why is increased government provision of education most likely to shift the aggregate…
21 Why is increased government provision of education most likely to shift the aggregate demand curve to the right? A It will increase aggregate supply. B More schools will be built. C The government will have to raise taxes. D Workers will be more highly skilled.
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply analysis
Q22 · Which item is not included in the current account of a country’s balance of payments?
22 Which item is not included in the current account of a country’s balance of payments? A exports of services B interest on foreign loans C profits from foreign investments D the purchase of foreign assets
Mark scheme: D
More questions on Current account of the balance of payments
Q23 · Under which conditions will nominal GDP and real GDP increase at the same rate in an…
23 Under which conditions will nominal GDP and real GDP increase at the same rate in an economy? rate of change of rate of change of national output general price level (% per annum) (% per annum) A 0 –2 B 0 +2 C +2 0 D +2 +2
Mark scheme: C
Q24 · General equilibrium in the macroeconomy is achieved when total injections are equal to…
24 General equilibrium in the macroeconomy is achieved when total injections are equal to total leakages. What is most likely to cause disequilibrium in the macroeconomy in the short run? A an increase in government spending of $10bn and a decrease in exports of $10bn B an increase in investment of $30bn and a decrease in household savings of $30bn C an increase in spending on imports of $40bn and an increase in government spending of $40bn D an increase in taxation of $40bn and a decrease in spending on imports of $40bn
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Introduction to the circular flow of income
Q25 · What would be the most likely reason for a decrease in frictional unemployment?
25 What would be the most likely reason for a decrease in frictional unemployment? A more capital-intensive manufacturing B more demand for public sector workers C more government spending on education D more information on labour market vacancies
Mark scheme: D
Q26 · A Kenyan banker who lives and works in India sends 15% of their wage back to Kenya every…
26 A Kenyan banker who lives and works in India sends 15% of their wage back to Kenya every month. What would be the change in the current account components for either country? A a fall in secondary income for India B an increase in the balance of trade in services for Kenya C an increase in the current account surplus for India D an increase in primary income for Kenya
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Current account of the balance of payments
Q27 · Over a period of a year, the annual rate of inflation becomes negative
27 Over a period of a year, the annual rate of inflation becomes negative. Which statement must be correct? A The cost of living has fallen. B The purchasing power of money has fallen. C The standard of living has increased. D There has been an increase in the Consumer Price Index.
Mark scheme: A
Q28 · The government of a country plans to raise income tax rates
28 The government of a country plans to raise income tax rates. The initial equilibrium for the country is represented by point X on the diagram. Which new equilibrium point would an economist predict as the result? price AS1 level A AS2 X B D AD3 C AD1 AD2 O real national income
Mark scheme: D
Q29 · Which combination would represent the most expansionary set of monetary policies?
29 Which combination would represent the most expansionary set of monetary policies? credit availability interest rates money supply A increased up reduced B increased down increased C reduced up increased D reduced down reduced
Mark scheme: B
Q30 · An economy is experiencing accelerating cost-push inflation
30 An economy is experiencing accelerating cost-push inflation. Which group is likely to be least concerned by this? A borrowers B consumers C creditors D exporters
Mark scheme: A
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.
3Price stability3Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply analysis2Classification of goods and services2Current account of the balance of payments2National income statistics2Price elasticity of supply2Resource allocation in different economic systems2The interaction of demand and supply2Unemployment2Addressing income and wealth inequality1Consumer and producer surplus1Fiscal policy1Introduction to the circular flow of income1Monetary policy1Production possibility curves1Scarcity, choice and opportunity cost1The reasons for international trade1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2023 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.