Cambridge IGCSE Economics 0455 — 2022 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 1
0455/11/M/J/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 · A government uses different supply-side policy measures to improve economic performance
1 A government uses different supply-side policy measures to improve economic performance. Which policy measure would not satisfy one of the government’s macroeconomic aims? A changing the tax system which leads to more tax evasion B encouraging foreign investment which improves the balance of payments C privatising state industries which increases economic growth D retraining redundant workers which lowers unemployment
Mark scheme: A
Q2 · What could cause an increase in demand for a factor of production?
2 What could cause an increase in demand for a factor of production? A decrease in the efficiency of the factor of production B decrease in the price of an alternative factor of production C increase in the demand for the good or service produced D increase in the price of the factor of production
Mark scheme: C
Q3 · Which components, in addition to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per head, are included in…
3 Which components, in addition to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per head, are included in the Human Development Index (HDI)? A average earnings and inequalities of incomes B balance of trade and balance of payments C life expectancy at birth and expected years of schooling D size of population and age structure of population
Mark scheme: C
Q4 · The US government introduces tariffs on steel imported from China
4 The US government introduces tariffs on steel imported from China. This increases the price of imported Chinese steel. Whose income would be likely to increase as a direct result? Chinese steel US government producers A yes yes B yes no C no yes D no no
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · A government retrains unemployed industrial workers to increase employment opportunities
5 A government retrains unemployed industrial workers to increase employment opportunities. The policy may have adverse effects on other government macroeconomic aims. What illustrates this situation? A Better skilled workers may increase productivity and improve economic growth. B Increased wage-earning capacity may lead to demand-pull inflation. C More employed workers may reduce government expenditure on benefit payments. D Near full employment may result in a more stable balance of payments.
Mark scheme: B
Q6 · The diagram shows the demand and supply for apples
6 The diagram shows the demand and supply for apples. 3.00 S $ per kilo 2.50 2.00 1.50 1.00 D 0.50 0 0 200 400 600 800 1000 tonnes (000) To what extent is the market for apples in disequilibrium at a price of $2.50 per kilo? A Demand exceeds supply by 200 000 tonnes. B Demand exceeds supply by 400 000 tonnes. C Supply exceeds demand by 200 000 tonnes. D Supply exceeds demand by 400 000 tonnes.
Mark scheme: D
Q7 · The diagram shows the fixed costs, variable costs and total costs of a firm at output S
7 The diagram shows the fixed costs, variable costs and total costs of a firm at output S. costs P Q R O S output Which distance represents the firm’s variable costs? A PQ B PS C QR D QS
Mark scheme: D
Q8 · The table shows the world output of iron ore and the average yearly price for four years
8 The table shows the world output of iron ore and the average yearly price for four years. world output of iron ore average yearly price year (billion tonnes) ($ per tonne) year 1 2.86 128 year 2 2.98 135 year 3 2.22 97 year 4 2.28 95 What can be concluded about the relationship between world output of iron ore and the average yearly price over the four years? average world output yearly price A highest highest B highest lowest C lowest highest D lowest lowest
Mark scheme: A
Q9 · A firm has a high price elasticity of supply for its product
9 A firm has a high price elasticity of supply for its product. What does this indicate? A It can increase revenue by reducing the price. B It can quickly respond to changes in price. C It keeps very low volumes of product in stock. D It produces a good that has close substitutes.
Mark scheme: B
Q10 · A manufacturer of medical supplies benefits from improved road links to its main markets
10 A manufacturer of medical supplies benefits from improved road links to its main markets. What benefit definitely occurs as a result? A increased average revenue B increased external economies of scale C increased internal economies of scale D increased market share
Mark scheme: B
Q11 · Which row shows an essential characteristic of competitive markets and monopoly markets?
11 Which row shows an essential characteristic of competitive markets and monopoly markets? competitive markets monopoly markets A many buyers single seller B many sellers single buyer C single buyer many buyers D single seller many sellers
Mark scheme: A
Q12 · A student has nothing to do on a Friday evening
12 A student has nothing to do on a Friday evening. She withdraws $5 from the $100 she has in a savings account and buys a present to take to a party, to which admission is free. What does this involve? A an opportunity cost equal to $95 B an opportunity cost equal to other goods she could have bought for $5 C no opportunity cost, as entrance to the party is free D no opportunity cost, as she had no better way of using the time
Mark scheme: B
Q13 · The development of artificial intelligence in machines raises the productivity of capital
13 The development of artificial intelligence in machines raises the productivity of capital. What will be the effect of this? A The costs of production will increase. B The demand for capital will increase. C The price of capital will fall. D The supply of capital will decrease.
Mark scheme: B
Q14 · Which combination is necessary for the construction of a consumer prices index?
14 Which combination is necessary for the construction of a consumer prices index? a base year price stability weights A yes yes yes B yes no yes C yes no no D no yes yes
Mark scheme: B
Q15 · A government removed the quota on goods imported into the country
15 A government removed the quota on goods imported into the country. What is the most likely result of this? A a decrease in demand for domestic production B a decrease in domestic unemployment C a decrease in exports D a decrease in the balance of trade deficit
Mark scheme: A
Q16 · What is an advantage of a country having a market economic system with a large private…
16 What is an advantage of a country having a market economic system with a large private sector? A Firms can become unprofitable if they do not produce what consumers want. B Market forces often fail to ensure maximum benefits for society. C Some goods may not be provided at all or not in sufficient quantity. D There is an unequal distribution of income which can increase over time.
Mark scheme: A
Q17 · What is an example of a fiscal policy measure?
17 What is an example of a fiscal policy measure? A increasing the exchange rate B reducing the power of trade unions C reducing the rate of corporation tax D setting a lower interest rate
Mark scheme: C
Q18 · Why would an increase in the interest rate potentially lead to lower inflation?
18 Why would an increase in the interest rate potentially lead to lower inflation? A Consumers will be more willing to save when interest rates are high. B Consumers will be more willing to spend when interest rates are high. C Producers will be more willing to borrow from banks when interest rates are high. D Producers will be more willing to invest when interest rates are high.
Mark scheme: A
Q19 · Which government action will not add directly to the quantity or quality of human…
19 Which government action will not add directly to the quantity or quality of human resources? A improvement in health facilities B investment in education and training C provision of better food and nutrition D reclamation of land from the sea
Mark scheme: D
Q20 · What is a likely cause of economic growth?
20 What is a likely cause of economic growth? A decreased employment B decreased investment C decreased productivity D decreased taxation
Mark scheme: D
Q21 · An economy experiences a recession and moves from full employment to 5% unemployment
21 An economy experiences a recession and moves from full employment to 5% unemployment. Which movement from X to Y on the PPC diagram shows the consequence for the economy? A B capital capital goods goods X X Y Y O consumer goods O consumer goods C D capital capital goods goods X Y Y X O consumer goods O consumer goods
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Production possibility curve (PPC) diagrams
Q22 · The table shows how three people, X, Y and Z, spend their income
22 The table shows how three people, X, Y and Z, spend their income. person X person Y person Z food, clothing and housing 30% 25% 50% entertainment and leisure 35% 35% 25% luxury goods 35% 40% 25% What is the likely order of income, from lowest income to highest income, for these three people? A Y X Z B Y Z X C Z X Y D Z Y X
Mark scheme: C
Q23 · Why would standards of living fall when there is a recession?
23 Why would standards of living fall when there is a recession? A The government would increase taxes to combat the recession. B The purchasing power of households would fall. C The value of the domestic currency would increase. D There would be a rise in the level of immigration.
Mark scheme: B
Q24 · What is the purpose of an economy’s production possibility curve (PPC)?
24 What is the purpose of an economy’s production possibility curve (PPC)? A It answers the question of what to produce in an economy. B It enables microeconomic decisions to be taken by firms. C It measures the supply of goods and services available in an economy. D It shows the productive capacity in an economy at a point in time.
Mark scheme: D
More questions on Production possibility curve (PPC) diagrams
Q25 · The governments of low-income countries often allow foreign multinational companies…
25 The governments of low-income countries often allow foreign multinational companies (MNCs) to mine minerals in their country. Which conflict between benefit and cost might this cause the low-income countries? benefit cost A improved balance of trade training by the MNCs B higher employment loss of a finite resource C increased profits for the MNCs efficient production D more sustainable development economic growth
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Differences in economic development between countries
Q26 · The table shows some economic indicators
26 The table shows some economic indicators. Which increase in the first indicator is most likely to lead to an increase in the second indicator? first indicator second indicator A budget surplus consumer saving B consumer spending unemployment C inflation trade surplus D productivity living standards
Mark scheme: D
Q27 · What is the definition of foreign exchange rate?
27 What is the definition of foreign exchange rate? A the difference between emigration and immigration B the difference between the values of imports and exports C the price of one currency in terms of another D the price of one good in terms of another
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · Which activity is correctly linked to the organisation that provides it?
28 Which activity is correctly linked to the organisation that provides it? organisation activity A central bank regulate the rate of inflation B central bank set direct tax rates C commercial bank manage the government’s financial accounts D commercial bank safeguard the country’s foreign reserves
Mark scheme: A
Q29 · Which topic is not included in microeconomics?
29 Which topic is not included in microeconomics? A consumer demand B economies of scale C forms of competition D inflation
Mark scheme: D
Q30 · What is likely to cause an immediate decrease in the size of the labour force?
30 What is likely to cause an immediate decrease in the size of the labour force? A a fall in the average size of families B a fall in the birth rate C a reduction in the age of retirement D an increase in net immigration
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.
2Firms and production2Globalisation, free trade and protection2Living standards2Production possibility curve (PPC) diagrams2Demand1Differences in economic development between countries1Firms’ costs, revenue and objectives1Fiscal policy1Foreign exchange rates1Households1Inflation and deflation1Market economic system1Market structure1Microeconomics and macroeconomics1Monetary policy1Money and banking1Opportunity cost1Population1Price changes1Price determination1Price elasticity of supply (PES)1Supply-side policy1The macroeconomic aims of government1Workers1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2022 May/June, Paper 1 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.