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Date November 2019 Marks available 2 Reference code 19N.3.HL.TZ0.1
Level Higher level Paper Paper 3 Time zone Time zone 0
Command term Calculate Question number 1 Adapted from N/A

Question

The market for corn on the island of Nissos is perfectly competitive. The demand and supply for corn in Nissos are given by the functions

Qd=10-0.5P

Qs=-2+P

where Qd is the quantity of corn demanded per month in millions of kilograms (kg), Qs is the quantity of corn supplied per month in millions of kg and P is the price per kg of corn in dollars ($). 

Advisors to the government of Nissos suggest setting a price floor.

The monthly corn surplus created must be purchased by the government of Nissos.

State two characteristics of a perfectly competitive market.

[2]
a.

Using a fully labelled diagram, outline the relationship between marginal product (MP) and average product (AP) of labour.

[4]
b.

Determine the slope of the market supply function for the corn farmers in Nissos.

[1]
c.i.

Calculate the monthly equilibrium quantity of corn in Nissos.

[2]
c.ii.

Plot and label on Figure 1 the market demand curve and the market supply curve for corn in Nissos.

[2]
d.i.

Draw and label the marginal revenue (MR) curve for corn for an individual farmer in Nissos on the grid below.

[1]
d.ii.

Using Figure 1, calculate the consumer surplus in Nissos at the market equilibrium.

[1]
d.iii.

Explain one possible advantage and one possible disadvantage of governments setting a price floor in agricultural markets.

[4]
e.i.

Draw and label on Figure 1 a curve that illustrates the price floor in Nissos that leads to a monthly surplus of 3 million kg of corn.

[2]
e.ii.

State one measure that the government of Nissos might take to deal with this corn surplus, following the imposition of the price floor.

[1]
f.i.

Outline why purchasing this surplus implies an opportunity cost for the government of Nissos.

[2]
f.ii.

Using Figure 1, determine the size of the decrease in monthly corn consumption following the imposition of the price floor.

[1]
f.iii.

Using Figure 1, calculate the change in consumer expenditure on corn in Nissos.

[2]
f.iv.

Markscheme

Award [1] for each valid characteristic.

Characteristics may include:

a.

The vertical axis may be labelled Marginal/Average Product, Product, Output, (or abbreviations of these). The horizontal axis may be labelled (Quantity of) labour, workers, variable factor, input.

b.

(+) 1 is sufficient for [1].

c.i.

10 − 0.5P = P − 2
12 = 1.5P
P = 8
Q = − 2 + 8 = 6

Any valid working is sufficient for [1].

Q = 6 million kg

An answer of 6 million kg or 6 million or 6 without working is sufficient for [1].

For full marks to be awarded the response must provide some valid working and include correct units.

c.ii.

d.i.

Horizontal line at $8.00 with MR label on Figure 1 is sufficient for [1].

d.ii.

1 2 × 6 (20 − 8)

No workings are required.

$36 million is sufficient for [1].

OFR applies.

d.iii.

For providing a limited explanation of one advantage or one disadvantage, award a maximum of [1].

For an accurate explanation of one advantage or one disadvantage or a limited explanation of both, award a maximum of [2].

For providing an accurate explanation of one advantage or one disadvantage and a limited explanation of one disadvantage or one advantage, award a maximum of [3].

For providing two accurate explanations, award a maximum of [4].

e.i.

Award [1] for a horizontal line above the equilibrium price.

Award [1] for the line being drawn at $10.

If the line is not labelled a maximum of [1] may be awarded.

OFR applies.

e.ii.

Award [1] for one accurate possible measure.

Measures may include:

f.i.

f.ii.

1 million kg is sufficient for [1].

No workings are required.

OFR applies.

f.iii.

8 × 6 = $48 million
10 × 5 = $50 million

Any valid working is sufficient for [1].

Change = $2 million OR an increase of $2 million.

An answer of 2 or 2 million or $2 million without working is sufficient for [1].

OFR applies.

For full marks to be awarded the response must provide valid working and include correct units.

f.iv.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.
[N/A]
b.
[N/A]
c.i.
[N/A]
c.ii.
[N/A]
d.i.
[N/A]
d.ii.
[N/A]
d.iii.
[N/A]
e.i.
[N/A]
e.ii.
[N/A]
f.i.
[N/A]
f.ii.
[N/A]
f.iii.
[N/A]
f.iv.

Syllabus sections

Last exams 2021 » Section 1: Microeconomics » 1.3 Government intervention » Price controls » Price floors (minimum prices): rationale, consequences and examples
Last exams 2021 » Section 1: Microeconomics » 1.3 Government intervention » Price controls
Last exams 2021 » Section 1: Microeconomics » 1.3 Government intervention
Last exams 2021 » Section 1: Microeconomics

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