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Exam Practice: Paper 1 (SL and HL)
Exam Practice: Paper 1 (SL and HL)
Paper 1: SL and HL
Focus and structure of paper 1 Section A focuses on section 1 of the syllabus (microeconomics). Students must answer
one question from a choice of two.
Structure of questions and marks Each question consists of two parts, (a) and (b). Students must answer both parts.
earned in paper 1
Part (a) earns a maximum of 10 marks, and part (b) a maximum of 15 marks, making a
total of 25 marks for the question.
Assessment objectives in paper 1 Part (a) of the questions examines assessment objectives 1, 2 and 4.
Maximum marks earned in paper 1, Since the student must answer two questions, paper 1 earns a maximum of 50 marks.
and percentage in total IB Economics
grade Paper 1 accounts for 40% of the student’s overall grade at standard level, and 30% of
the student’s overall grade at higher level.
2.3 (a) ‘Quantity demanded increases as price 2.14 (a) Using the concepts of marginal benefit
falls. Yet as demand falls, price falls.’ Using and marginal cost, explain how allocative
diagrams, explain whether these two efficiency is achieved at competitive market
statements contradict each other. equilibrium. [10 marks]
[10 marks]
2.4 (a) ‘Quantity supplied increases as price Chapter 3 Elasticities
increases. Yet as supply increases, price falls.’
Using diagrams, explain whether these two SL/HL core topics
statements contradict each other. (SL paper 1 and HL paper 1)
[10 marks]
2.5 (a) You observe that over time, the number of Part (a) question
computers produced and sold increases, and 3.1 (a) Referring to the four elasticity concepts
the price of computers falls. Using diagrams, and their respective meanings, distinguish
explain whether this violates the law of between those elasticities that involve
supply. [10 marks] movements along a demand or supply curve,
2.6 (a) You observe that over a period of some years and those that involve shifts of the curve(s).
the price of strawberries has increased, and [10 marks]
the quantity of strawberries consumers buy Part (a) and part (b) questions
has also increased. Using diagrams, explain
3.2 (a) Using examples, explain the factors that
whether this violates the law of demand.
determine whether the demand for a good
[10 marks]
is price-elastic or price-inelastic.
2.7 (a) In the standard demand and supply analysis, [10 marks]
an increase in demand, ceteris paribus, leads
(b) Increases in the price of petrol (gasoline)
to a larger equilibrium quantity supplied,
have led taxi drivers to increase taxi fares
and yet supply does not change. Using a
in the hope that their revenues will rise.
diagram, explain how this is possible.
Evaluate their decision on economic
[10 marks]
grounds.
2.8 (a) Growing populations and rising incomes in [15 marks]
economically less developed countries have
3.3 (a) While the price elasticity of supply for
affected the price of meat, which is a normal
primary commodities is often relatively low,
good. Referring to the concept of excess
that of manufactured goods is relatively
demand, analyse the effects on the price of
high. Using diagrams, explain why.
meat by use of a diagram. [10 marks]
[10 marks]
2.9 (a) Using a diagram, and referring to the
6.8 (a) Use the concept of normal profit to explain 7.6 (a) Referring to barriers to entry, explain
why a firm might be interested in keeping whether there is a difference between the
its business running even though it may be short-run and long-run equilibrium of the
earning zero economic profit. [10 marks] monopolist. [10 marks]