Economics 9708/32 October/November 2022: question paper and mark scheme

Question

What is most likely to improve the allocative efficiency of a market? A a higher market concentration ratio B collusion between firms in the market C entry of new firms into the market D mergers of firms in the market

Question

The diagram shows a market in which there are negative externalities of production and positive externalities of consumption. cost, MSC benefit H E F MPC I G J MSB MPB O Q1 Q2 quantity What is the marginal external cost at the free market equilibrium level of output? A EG B EF C FG D HI

Question

What could be included in a cost-benefit analysis of a project to build a road bridge connecting an island community to the mainland? a fall in a reduction in an increase in an increase in employment for travel time for incomes for the carbon emissions ferry services work community A yes no no yes B yes yes no no C yes yes yes yes D no no yes yes

Question

The table shows the levels of total and average utility at different levels of a consumer’s weekly consumption of a product. number consumed total average per week utility utility 1 4 4.0 2 9 4.5 3 15 5.0 4 20 5.0 5 24 4.8 6 27 4.5 After which level of weekly consumption does the diminishing marginal utility first occur? A 3 B 4 C 5 D 6

Question

Which statement about a budget line in consumer behaviour theory is correct? A It illustrates consumer preference between two goods. B It illustrates combinations of two goods that consumers are able to purchase with a given income. C It illustrates the least cost combination of goods that yield the same level of utility. D It illustrates the income effect of a price change.

Question

When the price of a good increases, which statement is correct according to the analysis that uses budget lines and indifference curves? A The income and substitution effects of the price increase will work in opposite directions in the case of a Giffen good. B The income effect of the price increase will result in reduced consumption for all goods. C The new equilibrium position will be where the new budget line meets the original indifference curve. D The price rise will be represented by a parallel shift inwards of the original budget line.

Question

The diagram shows a firm in an imperfectly competitive market. Which level of output would maximise total revenue? AR price $ MR MC AC O A B C D output

Question

The diagram shows short-run average cost curves (SRAC) and the long-run average cost curve (LRAC) for a firm. cost SRAC1 SRAC3 SRAC2 LRAC O Q output Which statement is correct? A When each of the three SRAC curves is U-shaped it shows the existence of economies of scale. B When the LRAC curve is upward-sloping beyond output OQ it shows the existence of diseconomies of scale. C When the minimum point of SRAC2 is below that of SRAC1 it shows the existence of the law of variable proportions. D When the minimum point of SRAC2 is below that of SRAC3 it shows the existence of economies of scale.

Question

The diagram shows a decrease in demand for the product of a profit maximising monopolist. cost, revenue I H J M K MC = ATC L G MR2 MR1 D2 = AR2 D1 = AR1 O E F output Which area shows the change in the monopolist’s supernormal profit as a consequence of this decrease in demand? A IHGK B JMLK C IHGLMJ D IHFEMJ

Question

The table shows the estimated costs for operating a new factory at the end of its first year. costs $m building the factory 20 raw materials including fuel 5 machinery and delivery vehicles 4 wages for workers 1 Assuming the short run is one year, what are the total variable costs? A $1m B $6m C $10m D $30m

Question

A manufacturing company merged with two companies. One of these was company X that produced a substitute product. The other was company Y that supplied its raw materials. Which combination shows the types of merger that the manufacturing company has undertaken? merger with merger with company X company Y A horizontal horizontal B horizontal vertical C vertical horizontal D vertical vertical

Question

Which phrase best describes the market structure illustrated by the diagram if the firm produces at output Q1? $ AC MC MR AR O Q1 quantity A a monopolistic firm in short-run equilibrium B a monopoly making supernormal profits C an oligopoly engaged in a price war D a non-profit maximising state monopoly

Question

The government wants to regulate the consumption of a demerit good in order to increase society’s net welfare. In which situation will society’s net welfare increase? A The fall in the marginal social benefit is greater than the fall in the marginal social cost. B The fall in the marginal external cost is greater than the fall in the marginal external benefit. C The fall in the total social benefit is greater than the fall in the total social cost. D The fall in the total social cost is greater than the fall in the total social benefit.

Question

Governments often aim to reduce income inequalities. The diagram shows the effects of using taxation and benefits to try to achieve this aim. 100 000 average income per household 80 000 key ($ per year) original income 60 000 disposable income final income 40 000 20 000 0 bottom 2nd 3rd 4th top 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% household income What can be concluded from the diagram about the effects of taxes and benefits? A All income groups are better off except those originally earning more than $40 000 per year. B Benefits paid to the lower income groups are not a burden because they are not paid out of tax revenues. C The average final income of the top 20% exceeds the combined final incomes of the other groups. D The progressive taxation system still favours the top 20% over the bottom 20% of households.

Question

Which policy is likely to be the least effective means of producing a more equal distribution of income amongst households? A the imposition of minimum wage levels below the levels produced by the market B the introduction of progressive personal income taxes C the payment of benefits to low income households D the removal of sales taxes on food consumed by lower income households

Question

Which supply curve (S) indicates that eventually an individual will choose to spend more time on leisure rather than continue working for increased wages? A B S wage wage S O O hours worked hours worked C D S S wage wage O O hours worked hours worked

Question

When is a trade union less likely to gain a large pay rise for its workers? A It represents a large proportion of the workforce in the company. B It represents a workforce that has an elastic demand for its labour. C It represents a workforce that is increasing its labour productivity. D It represents a workforce that works for a highly profitable monopoly firm.

Question

Which statement does not support the view that extraction of mineral resources by a foreign company will make it more difficult for a developing economy to achieve future economic growth? A Exports of these mineral resources will result in an appreciation of the exchange rate. B Reduced tax rates aimed at encouraging the foreign company to invest in the country will increase inflation. C The foreign company will raise the skill levels of the local population through training schemes. D The foreign company will send profits back to its own country.

Question

Growth rates can be calculated using changes in the value of GDP from year to year. Why is real GDP considered to be a better indicator than nominal GDP for this calculation? A Real GDP adjusts for price changes by using a base year. B Real GDP ignores the effects of fluctuations in exchange rates on purchasing power. C Real GDP includes changes in the size of the population. D Real GDP measures GDP at factor cost rather than market prices.

Question

Why is disaster relief money sent by non-governmental organisations to a South American country not classified as official foreign aid? A It does not finance a long-term investment programme. B It does not incur payment of interest. C It is not supplied by a government. D Only countries in Asia and Africa are classified as developing.

Question

What is a cause of seasonal unemployment? A a general decrease in the demand for goods and services B a lack of necessary skills in the workforce C a temporary change in the pattern of consumers’ expenditure D an unwillingness of workers to move to other parts of the country where there is work

Question

A firm initially employs 50 workers, each working 40 hours a week, and produces a total output of 18 000 units. It then employs an additional 10 workers, again each working 40 hours, and total output rises to 19 200 units. Which effect does this rise in employment have on labour productivity per hour? A decreases it by 1 unit B decreases it by 40 units C increases it by 120 units D increases it by 1200 units

Question

According to Keynesian theory, when will an increase in the money supply leave the level of output unchanged? A when there is a liquidity trap B when the money supply increase was not anticipated C when there is a floating exchange rate D when there is an immediate adjustment to expectations about future price levels

Question

An economy is experiencing a negative output gap. What is most likely to happen to the inflation rate and unemployment in this economy? inflation rate unemployment A decreases decreases B decreases increases C increases decreases D increases increases

Question

What do Monetarists believe? A Economies are naturally unstable. B Policy makers should follow set rules targeting the money supply. C The aggregate supply curve has a slight slope. D Wage movements are ‘sticky’ downwards.

Question

Which combination of changes over time in an economy would definitely represent increased economic growth per capita? average total Gini total output price level population coefficient A falls rises falls rises B falls rises no change falls C rises falls falls rises D rises rises rises rises

Question

Under which circumstances will the future burden of the national debt on a country increase the most? increase in the price of change in GDP budget deficit government bonds A +2% of GDP +4% decreasing B +2% of GDP +4% increasing C +4% of GDP +2% decreasing D +4% of GDP +2% increasing

Question

Country X has a low rate of inflation and a stable currency and unemployed resources. It attracts $25 billion of direct foreign investment. What is most likely to be a positive benefit of the inflow of this foreign direct investment for country X? A Aggregate demand will be boosted through the investment multiplier. B Country X will have to use its foreign reserves to eliminate any trade deficit. C The balance of payments will be affected with the outflow of profits to foreigners. D The rate of inflation will increase if country X tries to increase capacity.

Question

A country with an income tax rate X decides to increase its tax rate. The diagram shows tax revenue will fall. tax revenue O X tax rate Why would this happen? A Fewer goods will be produced. B People will work fewer hours to maintain incomes. C Prices will rise. D There will be an increase in tax avoidance.

Question

What are the labels on the axes of a Phillips curve diagram? vertical axis horizontal axis A inflation rate unemployment level B inflation rate unemployment rate C price level unemployment level D price level unemployment rate