Cambridge IGCSE ™: Economics 0455/21
Cambridge IGCSE ™: Economics 0455/21
Cambridge IGCSE ™: Economics 0455/21
ECONOMICS 0455/21
Paper 2 Structured Questions October/November 2023
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 90
Published
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.
Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the October/November 2023 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level
components.
These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the
specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these
marking principles.
• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond
the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the
question as indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level
descriptors.
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may
be limited according to the quality of the candidate responses seen).
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or
grade descriptors in mind.
a DO credit answers which are worded differently from the mark scheme if they clearly convey the same meaning (unless the mark
scheme requires a specific term)
b DO credit alternative answers/examples which are not written in the mark scheme if they are correct
c DO credit answers where candidates give more than one correct answer in one prompt/numbered/scaffolded space where extended
writing is required rather than list-type answers. For example, questions that require n reasons (e.g. State two reasons …).
d DO NOT credit answers simply for using a ‘key term’ unless that is all that is required. (Check for evidence it is understood and not used
wrongly.)
e DO NOT credit answers which are obviously self-contradicting or trying to cover all possibilities
f DO NOT give further credit for what is effectively repetition of a correct point already credited unless the language itself is being tested.
This applies equally to ‘mirror statements’ (i.e. polluted/not polluted).
g DO NOT require spellings to be correct, unless this is part of the test. However spellings of syllabus terms must allow for clear and
unambiguous separation from other syllabus terms with which they may be confused (e.g. Corrasion/Corrosion)
4 Annotation:
• For point marking, ticks can be used to indicate correct answers and crosses can be used to indicate wrong answers. There is no direct
relationship between ticks and marks. Ticks have no defined meaning for levels of response marking.
• For levels of response marking, the level awarded should be annotated on the script.
• Other annotations will be used by examiners as agreed during standardisation, and the meaning will be understood by all examiners
who marked that paper.
Confused SEEN
Nothing creditworthy
L
O
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
37 440 (1)
1(b) Identify two types of industries in Cambridge that operate in 2 If more than two types are given, consider the first three.
the tertiary sector.
Education (1).
Healthcare (1).
Research and development (1).
1(c) Identify two benefits of having highly knowledge-intensive 2 If more than two benefits are given, consider the first
exports. three.
Exports highly priced (1). Accept high value for highly priced.
Price inelastic in demand (1).
Increased demand for exports (due to increased global incomes)
(1).
D&S diagram:
1(f) Analyse the relationship between the percentage of 5 Responses do not have to be in the format suggested
population with a university degree and GDP per head. but they should address the expected / normal
relationship, offer supporting evidence of that, highlight
Coherent analysis which might include: any exceptions to that, and analyse the overall data.
Expected relationship:
Positive / direct relationship (1) the higher percentage of
population with a university degree, the higher the GDP per
head (1).
1(g) Discuss whether or not free trade is beneficial for a city 6 Apply this example to all questions with the
such as Cambridge. command word DISCUSS
(1g, 1h, 2d, 3d, 4d and 5d)
Award up to 4 marks for logical reasons why it might, which may
include: Each point may be credited only once, on either side of
an argument, but separate development as to how / why
• easier to export (1) increased export revenues (1) increased the outcome may differ is rewarded.
revenue / profits for producers (1) higher growth in the city
(1). Generic example mark
• easier to import / more imports (1) cheaper imports of goods
and materials / lower costs for firms (1) lower prices (of Tax revenue may decrease… 1
exports) (1).
• more jobs created (1) reducing the level of unemployment ...because of reason e.g. incomes may be 1
(1). lower.
• increase size of the market (1) economies of scale (1) e.g.
purchasing / technical / marketing / managerial / financial Tax revenue may increase because 0
(1). incomes may be higher i.e. reverse of a
• increased choice for consumers (1) from increased imports previous argument.
(1) higher quality goods / variety of goods (1).
• more competition (1) or more transfer of ideas and Tax revenue may increase because of a 1
knowledge (1) leads to more innovation (1) lower prices (1) different reason i.e. not the reverse of a
• encourage entrepreneurship / investment (1) profit incentive previous argument e.g. government
(1) spending on subsidies may stimulate the
economy more than spending on
education.
1(g) Award up to 4 marks for logical reasons why it might not, which
may include:
• high land and office costs (1) high cost of production (1)
higher capital start-up costs (1) lower profits (1)
• high house prices (1) poor air quality (1) may discourage
workers from locating in Cambridge (1) difficult for firms to
find workers (1)
• small population (1) small market (1) limited demand (1)
limited scope for revenue / profits for Cambridge firms (1)
• overdependence on one sector (e.g. education) (1) limits
potential growth from other sectors (1)
• skilled workers are available in other cities (1).
2(a) State how average revenue is calculated. 2/2 2 Accept quantity without ‘sold’ as the divisor.
2(b) Explain two advantages of a large firm. 4 One mark each for each of two advantages identified
and one mark each for each of two explanations.
Logical explanation which might include: Accept explanation of two different economies of scale.
economies of scale (1) (average) cost lower than smaller firms Credit another example of economies of scale e.g.
(1) 2/4 financial economies.
finance / capital available (1) ease of getting loans from banks
(1)
technological development (1) high productivity (1)
large customer base (1) high revenue / profits (1)
may be well-known (1) increase brand loyalty (1).
2(c) Analyse the possible causes of higher prices of a product 6 Accept any relevant example of a fall in the price of a
such as ski holidays in the Alps. complement e.g. ski equipment, as a reason for higher
demand.
Coherent analysis which might include:
2(d)
Level Description Marks
3(a) Identify two types of tax. 2 Accept any relevant examples of taxes e.g. income tax,
2/2 tariffs. Accept, but do not expect, specific and ad
Direct (1) Indirect (1) valorem taxes.
Progressive (1) Proportional (1) Regressive (1)
3(b) Explain two functions of money. 4 One mark each for each of two functions identified and
one mark each for each of two explanations.
Logical explanation which might include:
• a medium of exchange (1) to buy goods and services / to
trade (1) 4/4
• a measure of value / unit of account (1) to measure how
much a product is worth (1)
• a store of value (1) to allow people to save (1)
• a method of deferred payment (1) for borrowing and
lending (1).
3(c) Analyse the consequences of market failure. 6 i.e. labour market failure.
• tax is insignificant compared to the final price of the product 2 A reasoned discussion which makes 3–5
• tax avoidance / evasion / unofficial or illegal markets use of economic information and clear
• if demand for the product is inelastic, quantity demanded analysis to evaluate economic issues
will be unresponsive to the price increase, quantity and situations. The answer may lack
demanded will not change significantly, e.g. addictive some depth and development may be
products. one-sided. There is relevant use of
economic concepts, terminology,
information and data appropriate to the
question.
3(d)
Level Description Marks
4(a) Identify, other than natural rubber, two primary-sector 2 If more than two products are given, consider the first
products. three.
2/2 Accept process rather than product e.g. fishing.
e.g. coal, oil, fish, wood, wheat
4(b) Explain two reasons why a country may change its 4 One mark each for each of two reasons identified and
specialisation. one mark each for each of two explanations.
4(d)
Level Description Marks
5(a) Identify two monetary policy measures. 2 Accept, but do not expect, quantitative easing as an
2/2 alternative to money supply. If more than two measures
Changes in: interest rates (1) money supply (1) foreign are given, consider the first three.
exchange rates (1).
5(b) Explain two microeconomic policy measures that can be 4 Examples could be related to any market – does not
taken by a government to reduce the price of a product. have to be housing market.
Logical explanation which might include: If more than two policy measures are given, consider
the first three.
• maximum prices (1) e.g. maximum rents / rent controls
(1)
• subsidies (1) reduce cost of production (1) e.g. housing
subsidies (1) 4/4
• nationalisation (1) government sets lower prices (1)
• direct provision of goods (1) increase supply of goods (1)
e.g. government providing public housing (1)
• regulation (1) e.g. prohibiting foreign house buying (1)
reduce demand (1)
• deregulation (1) allowing more firms in the market / more
competition (1)
• lower (sales) taxes (1) if sellers reduce prices as a result
(1).
5(c) Analyse the key determinants of price elasticity of supply of 6 Also accept an approach based on why PES may be
a product. inelastic as shown in third bullet point.
5(d)
Level Description Marks