Cambridge A Level Economics 9708 — 2024 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 1
9708/11/M/J/24 · 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 · A worker earns $40 per hour
1 A worker earns $40 per hour. Rather than work, she decides to visit a museum for three hours. The visit costs a total of $40. What is the opportunity cost of visiting the museum? A $40 B $80 C $120 D $160
Mark scheme: C
Q2 · The nature of a typical car assembly plant has changed
2 The nature of a typical car assembly plant has changed. The industry has fewer firms, operates on larger sites and has more automated machinery. How is this change most likely to have affected the relative use of factors of production in the industry? increased relative use decreased relative use A capital and enterprise labour and land B enterprise and labour land and capital C labour and land capital and enterprise D land and capital enterprise and labour
Mark scheme: D
Q3 · Which item would be least likely to be classed as land?
3 Which item would be least likely to be classed as land? A fertilisers B fisheries C forests D coal
Mark scheme: A
Q4 · Why does the concept of scarcity apply to the use of fossil fuels?
4 Why does the concept of scarcity apply to the use of fossil fuels? A Demand fluctuates according to price changes. B Supply is insufficient to meet demand. C Their use is restricted because of harmful pollution. D They are being replaced by renewable energy sources.
Mark scheme: B
Q5 · An economist knows the current point at which an economy operates within its production…
5 An economist knows the current point at which an economy operates within its production possibility curve. What can the economist conclude about this economy? A its degree of self-sufficiency B its international competitiveness C its level of output of two goods D its rate of economic growth
Mark scheme: C
Q6 · An increase in which factor is likely to cause a shift to the left of the demand curve…
6 An increase in which factor is likely to cause a shift to the left of the demand curve for cinema movies? A expenses for the heating system in the cinema B payments charged by movie scriptwriters C the cost of transport to the cinema D taxes on the incomes of cinema operators
Mark scheme: C
Q7 · Four firms supply the market
7 Four firms supply the market. The market supply is 50 units at $20 and 100 units at $40. The table shows the market share of each firm at the two prices. Which firm does not have a normal upward-sloping supply curve? % market share % market share at $20 at $40 A 10 10 B 20 50 C 30 20 D 40 20
Mark scheme: D
Q8 · Which statement is correct?
8 Which statement is correct? A Demand for an inferior good has a positive relationship to income and a negative relationship to price. B Demand for an inferior good has a negative relationship to income and a negative relationship to price. C Demand for a normal good has a positive relationship to income and a positive relationship to price. D Demand for a normal good has a negative relationship to income and a positive relationship to price.
Mark scheme: B
Q9 · In which row are both statements correct?
9 In which row are both statements correct? consumer surplus producer surplus A the value that consumers gain from the difference between the consuming a good over and above the actual revenue received by firms for a value that would have been gained from good and the profit maximising revenue consuming the next best alternative B the value that consumers gain from the difference between the price received consuming a good over and above by firms for a good or service and the the price paid price at which they would have been prepared to supply that good C the value that consumers gain from the difference between the actual revenue consuming a good over and above received by firms for a good and the profit the price paid maximising revenue D the value that consumers gain from the difference between the price received consuming a good over and above the by firms for a good and the price at which value that would have been gained from they would have been prepared to supply consuming the next best alternative that good
Mark scheme: B
Q10 · A firm calculates that the income elasticity of demand for its product is –3.0
10 A firm calculates that the income elasticity of demand for its product is –3.0. What can be deduced from this information? A In a period of economic growth, its total revenue should increase. B In a period of economic recession, its total revenue should increase. C It has few substitutes so it should increase its price to increase total revenue. D It has many substitutes so it should decrease price to increase total revenue.
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Price elasticity, income elasticity and cross elasticity of demand
Q11 · The diagram shows the demand and supply curves for the global air cargo market
11 The diagram shows the demand and supply curves for the global air cargo market. The initial equilibrium is at point X. What would the new equilibrium be if there is a global recession and an increase in fuel costs? price S2 S1 A S3 D X B C D1 D3 D2 O quantity
Mark scheme: D
Q12 · A government gives free food to poor households in a community
12 A government gives free food to poor households in a community. What is this food an example of? A a free good B a public good C a demerit good D a normal good
Mark scheme: D
Q13 · A government wishes to raise the incomes of farmers without raising the price of food to…
13 A government wishes to raise the incomes of farmers without raising the price of food to consumers. Which policy should it use? A a maximum price below the market price for food B a minimum price below the market price for food C a payment of a subsidy to farmers to produce food D a release of government food stocks onto the market
Mark scheme: C
More questions on Methods and effects of government intervention in markets
Q14 · Governments in market economies give different reasons for intervening in the operation…
14 Governments in market economies give different reasons for intervening in the operation of an economy. Which reason given is a normative statement? A Average incomes have failed to keep pace with price rises during the past year. B Energy prices have increased by more than 50% during the past year. C The distribution of incomes has become more unfair during the past year. D The poorest 10% of households have suffered the greatest fall in average real income during the past year.
Mark scheme: C
Q15 · The table illustrates macroeconomic data for an economy
15 The table illustrates macroeconomic data for an economy. All figures are in $ billions. What is the equilibrium real output? consumption government investment exports imports real output expenditure expenditure A 110 100 50 10 20 100 B 120 100 60 20 30 200 C 140 100 70 30 40 300 D 160 100 80 40 50 430
Mark scheme: C
More questions on Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply analysis
Q16 · A country’s net national income (NNI) is less than its gross national income (GNI)
16 A country’s net national income (NNI) is less than its gross national income (GNI). What does this mean? A incomes earned overseas were less than incomes sent overseas B inflation has been accounted for in NNI but not in GNI C the country’s exports decreased D there has been a net depreciation in the value of the country’s fixed capital assets
Mark scheme: D
Q17 · Asha is currently unemployed
17 Asha is currently unemployed. She has been offered a job but has decided to decline the offer and search for a better paid job. Which type of unemployment is this? A cyclical B frictional C seasonal D structural
Mark scheme: B
Q18 · A major trading nation, country X, is in equilibrium at the full employment level of real…
18 A major trading nation, country X, is in equilibrium at the full employment level of real output. There is then a recession in its main international markets. What are the most likely consequences of this change for country X? rate of inflation unemployment A decrease decrease B decrease increase C unchanged decrease D unchanged increase
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply analysis
Q19 · Why would a fall in a country's average price level cause its aggregate demand curve to…
19 Why would a fall in a country's average price level cause its aggregate demand curve to slope downwards? A It leads to an increase in interest rates. B It reduces the real value of money balances. C It makes the country’s goods cheaper relative to foreign goods. D It leads to the expectation of further price falls.
Mark scheme: C
More questions on Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply analysis
Q20 · To counter deflation a central bank uses expansionary monetary policy
20 To counter deflation a central bank uses expansionary monetary policy. What is likely to result? A a higher cost of borrowing B an increase in aggregate demand C an appreciation of the exchange rate D an increase in government debt
Mark scheme: B
Q21 · Which statement about government budget surpluses and deficits is the most accurate?
21 Which statement about government budget surpluses and deficits is the most accurate? A A surplus implies that the balance of payments is in surplus. B A surplus implies that the government is spending too much money. C A deficit implies that the economy is in decline. D A deficit implies that the national debt is increasing.
Mark scheme: D
Q22 · What is most likely to decrease if a government uses expansionary fiscal policy?
22 What is most likely to decrease if a government uses expansionary fiscal policy? A a balance of payments deficit B cyclical unemployment C the level of wages D the rate of inflation
Mark scheme: B
Q23 · Sweden had a change in its Consumer Prices Index (CPI) of –0.6%
23 Sweden had a change in its Consumer Prices Index (CPI) of –0.6%. Which combination of policies might its government use to restore price stability? A increase interest rates and increase indirect taxes B increase interest rates and reduce government spending C reduce government spending and increase income tax D reduce interest rates and increase government spending
Mark scheme: D
Q24 · What is a disadvantage of operating a floating exchange rate system?
24 What is a disadvantage of operating a floating exchange rate system? A It makes it difficult to prioritise domestic economic policy aims. B It makes the prices of internationally traded goods less predictable. C It means that the government must keep significant foreign currency reserves. D It requires continuous government intervention in currency markets.
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · What is not an example of protectionism?
25 What is not an example of protectionism? A export subsidies B import subsidies C quotas D tariffs
Mark scheme: B
Q26 · Countries X and Y both produce goods M and N
26 Countries X and Y both produce goods M and N. They decide to specialise and trade freely in the goods. Under which conditions are the gains from specialisation and free trade likely to be smallest? mobility of factors of mobility of factors of production between production between goods M and N countries X and Y A high high B high low C low high D low low
Mark scheme: C
Q27 · The terms of trade for a country increased from 100 to 120
27 The terms of trade for a country increased from 100 to 120. Which statements are correct? 1 The terms of trade have deteriorated. 2 Fewer exports are needed to buy the same quantity of imports. 3 The balance of payments must improve. A 1 and 2 B 1 only C 2 and 3 D 2 only
Mark scheme: D
More questions on Current account of the balance of payments
Q28 · The table shows the number of Turkish lira (TRY) which can be exchanged for one US dollar…
28 The table shows the number of Turkish lira (TRY) which can be exchanged for one US dollar (USD) in 2016 and 2021. date exchange rate July 2016 1 USD = 2.83 TRY July 2021 1 USD = 8.15 TRY What is the most likely cause of the change in the price of Turkish lira between 2016 and 2021? A a sustained fall in the demand for Turkish imports B a sustained fall in Turkish government debt as a percentage of GDP C a sustained rise in Turkish interest rates D a sustained rise in Turkish inflation
Mark scheme: D
Q29 · The table shows the current account of a balance of payments for January 2021
29 The table shows the current account of a balance of payments for January 2021. $m exports of goods 15 000 imports of goods 17 000 services credit 2 500 debit 2 000 primary income credit 100 debit 1 000 secondary income balance 60 What is the current account balance? A a deficit of $2340m B a deficit of $2000m C a surplus of $2340m D a surplus of $2000m
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Current account of the balance of payments
Q30 · Which policy would not be an argument for the use of import tariffs?
30 Which policy would not be an argument for the use of import tariffs? A They are an effective way of raising revenue. B They improve the balance of payments on a current account. C They improve a nation’s terms of trade in a bilateral agreement. D They may lead to retaliation by trading partners.
Mark scheme: D
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.
3Current account of the balance of payments2Demand and supply curves2Exchange rates2Factors of production2Fiscal policy2Monetary policy2Protectionism2Scarcity, choice and opportunity cost2Classification of goods and services1Consumer and producer surplus1Economic methodology1Methods and effects of government intervention in markets1National income statistics1Price elasticity of supply1Price elasticity, income elasticity and cross elasticity of demand1Production possibility curves1The interaction of demand and supply1The reasons for international trade1Unemployment1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2024 May/June, Paper 1 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.