GCSE Economics (Full Course)

Transcription

1 GCSE Economics (Full Course) Unit 12 Investigating Economic Issues Final Mark Scheme 4130 June 2017 Version/Stage: v1.0

2 Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Writer and considered, together with the relevant questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way. As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students scripts. Alternative answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are required to refer these to the Lead Writer. It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and expanded on the basis of students reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark schemes on the basis of one year s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination paper. Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk Copyright 2017 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within the centre.

3 1 Total for this question: 24 marks 1 (a) (i) Using Figure 1, identify the year in which the price level grew by the least amount. [1 mark] Correct answer: (a) (ii) Using Figure 1, identify the range of unemployment (%) between 2013 and [1 mark] Correct answer: (b) Explain two conflicts that might arise when the UK government attempts to achieve its economic objectives. [4 marks] Answers can include: growth v inflation unemployment v inflation growth v balance of payments growth v income/wealth equality growth v sustainability/resource depletion Apply grid below twice. L2 Potential conflict explained. 2 AO2 L1 Potential conflict identified. 1 A01 3 of 10

4 1 (c) Explain two ways that investment in transport links might affect the performance of the UK economy. [6 marks] Answers can include: supply-side improvements promote long-term growth following on from bullet 1: reduced inflationary pressure makes UK more attractive for overseas investors makes UK more attractive for foreign tourism. Opportunity cost: reduced government spending on other areas may reduce economic growth. Apply grid below twice: L2 Way explained. 3 2 AO2 L1 Way identified. 1 A01 4 of 10

5 1 (d) The report stated that the UK economy was very strong. Do you agree with this view? Give reasons for your answer. [12 marks] Possible areas for discussion include: Case for: strong/stable economic growth recovery of real incomes falling unemployment improving business/consumer confidence serious commitment to reduce National Debt endorsement from a major economic organisation. Case against: infrastructure/supply-side limitations real incomes only recovering because of low inflation global economic slowdown still contractionary fiscal stance limited scope of policy to solve another major economic crisis further government cuts. L3 Analyses reason(s). 6 5 AO3 L2 Describes reason(s). 4 3 AO2 L1 States relevant reason(s). 2 1 AO1 5 of 10

6 In addition, (and separately) award marks for evaluation using the grid below. Note: AO3 also assesses students quality of written communication. When deciding on the level to be awarded, consider the degree to which the student orders and communicates his/her ideas. E2 E1 Offers judgement with clear justification. Ideas are communicated with a clear structure and use of technical terms. There are occasional errors in accepted conventions. Offers judgement with limited support. Ideas are communicated in a simplistic way, with limited use of technical terms. Errors in accepted conventions are noticeable AO3 and Quality of written communication E0 No valid response. 0 6 of 10

7 2 Total for this question: 22 marks 2 (a) Explain what is meant by economic growth. [2 marks] Answers can include: an increase in the productive capacity of a country an increase in an economy s (real) GDP. 2 marks for correct definition. 1 mark for partial definition, e.g. increase in a country s spending. 2 (b) Explain two ways in which a slowdown in economic growth in China might affect the economies of developed countries. [6 marks] Possible ways: reduced demand for exports by extension, downwards multiplier effects, leading to reduced derived demand for labour and so increased unemployment reduced business confidence from Item: change in nature of demand, so increased scope for exports of certain goods/services possible benefit in terms of cheaper commodity prices as global demand falls (less cost-push inflation). Apply grid below twice: L2 Way explained. 3 2 AO2 L1 Way identified. 1 A01 7 of 10

8 2 (c) Is it ethical for developing countries, such as China, to aim for rapid economic growth? Use Item B and what you have learnt from your investigation of this topic to give reasons for your answer. [14 marks] Possible areas for discussion include: increases average living standards in China generates increased global demand worsening income and wealth inequality in China negative externalities in China: pollution, congestion, resource depletion etc. L3 Analyses ethical issue(s). 8 6 AO3 L2 Describes ethical issue(s). 5 3 AO2 L1 Ethical issue(s) identified. 2 1 AO1 In addition, (and separately) award marks for evaluation using the grid below. Note: AO3 also assesses students quality of written communication. When deciding on the level to be awarded, consider the degree to which the student orders and communicates his/her ideas. E2 E1 Offers judgement with clear justification. Ideas are communicated with a clear structure and use of technical terms. There are occasional errors in accepted conventions. Offers judgement with limited support. Ideas are communicated in a simplistic way, with limited use of technical terms. Errors in accepted conventions are noticeable AO3 and Quality of written communication E0 No valid response. 0 8 of 10

9 3 Total for this question: 24 marks 3 (a) Explain two reasons why the use of non-renewable resources, such as coal, might lead to market failure. [4 marks] Answers can include: resource depletion air pollution links to global income/wealth inequality conflict over resources. Apply grid below twice: L2 Reason/market failure explained. 2 AO2 L1 Reason/market failure identified. 1 A01 3 (b) Explain two methods that governments could use to reduce problems caused by the use of non-renewable resources. [6 marks] Methods could include: subsidies to firms (renewables/alternatives) grants to firms (renewables/alternatives) price controls indirect taxes on non-renewables public awareness campaigns legislation. carbon trading/pollution permits Apply grid below twice: L2 Method explained. 3 2 AO2 L1 Method identified. 1 A01 9 of 10

10 3 (c) Critics of shale gas fracking argue that whilst it may help to reduce global warming it may increase local environmental issues. Do you think that fracking is the best solution for possible energy shortages in the UK? Use Item C and what you have learnt from your investigation of this topic to give reasons for your answer. [14 marks] Possible areas for discussion include: better alternative to standard non-renewables can reduce overall global warming low cost relative to benefit UK s over-reliance on non-renewables risks, eg air, water and noise pollution local versus global issues alternatives may be better, eg wind, tidal, solar, geothermal, nuclear. L3 Analyses issue(s) in context. 8 6 AO3 L2 Describes issue(s). 5 3 AO2 L1 Issue(s) identified. 2 1 L0 No valid response 0 In addition, (and separately) award marks for evaluation using the grid below. Note: AO3 also assesses students quality of written communication. When deciding on the level to be awarded, consider the degree to which the student orders and communicates his/her ideas. AO1 E2 E1 Offers judgement with clear justification. Ideas are communicated with a clear structure and use of technical terms. There are occasional errors in accepted conventions. Offers judgement with limited support. Ideas are communicated in a simplistic way, with limited use of technical terms. Errors in accepted conventions are noticeable AO3 and Quality of written communication E0 No valid response of 10