AS Macroeconomics - Self Assessment Deliberate Practice Essay Resource

Arguments for Free Trade & Protectionism I

Notes on this Resource:

 This resource series has been designed to mimic the process of deliberate practice i.e.
it requires focused attention and is carried out with the aim of improving performance.
 We recommend delivering this resource after you have already taught the concepts. It
can then be delivered at periodic intervals leading up to the external CIE AS Economics
Exam as a means of reinforcing/embedding understanding and encouraging student
reflection.
 It is more difficult to score full marks on these resources than it would be on the real
exam. This is to intentionally encourage students to include as much detail in analysis
as possible.
 If you found this resource useful and want your students to benefit from our free Self
Assessment Deliberate Practice 12 Mark Discussion Essay Resource on the benefits
of protectionism and free trade then go to https://mailchi.mp/ecfd0c0066a9/discuss-free-
trade-protectionism-benefits.
Instructions on Successfully Implementing this Resource:
1. Students attempt the 8 mark essay question (page 4) under timed exam conditions
(18 minutes, no notes, no talking).
2. Students given the self-assessment sheet (page 2-3).
3. Teacher explains instructions (see attached PPT) how to use the SA Sheet:
a. Students use SA Sheet to identify analysis points and underline (using a different
coloured pen) on their own essay where they are correct.
b. Students tick the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ boxes on the self-assessment sheet where
appropriate.
c. Students write the corresponding letter and number in the margin (e.g. A1, B3 etc.).
d. Students add up the analysis points achieved and follow the instructions to determine
the total marks scored.
e. Students make a note of which analysis points omitted.
f. Students complete Learning Reflection.
4. Students should save this sheet in their folder to refer to the next time they are asked to
revise for a test on this topic and/or to compare their results the next time they attempt this
essay.
Explain the ‘infant industry’ & ‘anti-dumping’ Date:
arguments for protectionism [8] Name:
Class:

Self-Assessment checklist
A. Infant industry argument (upto 4 marks):

1. Definition of an infant industry given? e.g. ‘new/undeveloped industry with a

Y N
potential comparative advantage (CA)’.

2. Is the size of the industry mentioned? i.e. ‘because the industry is new
it is likely to be small.’
Y N

3. Are economies of scale for the infant industry mentioned? i.e. ‘as the
industry is small it is unlikely to have economies of scale (EoS).’
Y N

4. Higher average costs because of a lack of economies of scale.

Y N
5. Disadvantage against established firms from other countries because they
are likely to have lower average costs/developed EoS. Y N

6. Does the essay mention the objective of the government in protecting the
industry? i.e. ‘the government wants to encourage the industry to grow Y N
in size so that it can develop EoS/CA and will be able to compete in the future.’

7. Does the answer mention how the government might protect the
industry? e.g. with a tariff, subsidies, quotas etc.
Y N

8. Does the question mention any of the problems with this argument?
i. Difficult to decide when time is right to remove tariff. When is the
Industry ready to compete with international firms?
Y N
ii. Industry might become dependent on the tariffs/protection so
Y N
doesn’t attempt to reduce costs, resulting in inefficiency
iii. Might be unpopular/politically difficult for govt. to remove the Y N
protection.
[4 Marks] All 10 analysis points mentioned. Analysis points: ______ ( /10)
[3 Marks] 7-9 analysis points mentioned. Total Marks Scored: ______ ( /4)
[2 Marks] 4-6 analysis points mentioned.
Arguments not included (e.g. A2, A6 etc.):
[1 Mark] At least 1 analysis point mentioned.
_____________________________________
_________________________________
B. Anti-Dumping Argument (upto 4 marks)

1. Does the essay explain what ‘dumping’ is? i.e. ‘selling a product in a
foreign market and below the cost of production.’
- Allow definition of ‘selling in a foreign market at a price below that being
Y N
charged in the domestic market place.’

2. Does the essay explain why this could cause harm to the domestic economy?
i.e. ‘the foreign firm might be trying to establish a monopoly by removing Y N
the domestic competition, resulting in job losses.’ (All 3 details in bold for credit)

3. Does the essay mention that dumping is considered as ‘unfair competition’? Y N

4. How are consumers affected? ‘They will likely benefit in the short run from lower
prices but lose out in the long run when the foreign company pushes up prices.’ Y N

5. How difficult to find out if a firm is ‘dumping’? ‘Difficult to prove if a foreign firm is
dumping because there might not be information available on the costs of production.’ Y N

[4 Marks] All 5 analysis points mentioned. Analysis points: ______ ( /5)

[3 Marks] 3-4 analysis points mentioned.
Total Marks Scored: ______ ( /4)
[2 Marks] 2 analysis points mentioned.
Arguments not included (e.g. B2, B4 etc.):
[1 Mark] 1 analysis point mentioned.
_____________________________________
_________________________________
Analysis points: ______ ( /15)
Essay Feedback Total Marks Scored: ______ ( /8)
Arguments not included (e.g. A3, B2, B4 etc.):
_________________________________________________________
_____________
Learning Reflection
1. How many analysis points did you score last time you took this test? ______.
2. How many points in total (/8) did you score last time you took this test? ______.
3. ‘I scored ____ more/less analysis points this time’.
4. ‘I scored _____ more/less total marks this time’.
5. Which analysis points did you remember this time but forgot the last
time you took this test? _______________.
6. Did you forget any analysis points this time that you remembered last time? Which ones _________.
7. What (if anything) would you change about your revision technique for the next test? Give specific
examples with explanations (not one-word or general answers). ____________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________