GCSE

Economics
General Certificate of Secondary Education
Unit A593: The UK Economy and Globalisation

Mark Scheme for June 2011

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A593 Mark Scheme June 2011
Question Expected Answer Mark Rationale/Additional Guidance
1 (a) Where do most of the UK’s exports go? [1]

One mark for the correct identification:

Europe

(b) Where do the fewest imports come from? [1]

One mark for the correct identification: Allow Australia – annotate BOD and tick.
Australasia

(c) Explain what is meant by an export. [2]

A good or service produced in the UK and sold to in a foreign For two marks, the candidate has to clearly identify the
country (1), the money enters the UK (1) direction money and goods/services are flowing e.g.
money flowing to the exporting country.
One mark for a vague definition such as a good produced in
the UK and sold abroad. DO NOT award marks for examples.

(d) Tick two statements, which correctly give an example of [2]

an import to the UK.

One mark for each correct identification. If more than two boxes are ticked mark the first two
ONLY.
Statements Tick
Sony sells a Playstation 3 in the UK
which is made in Japan.

Speedo, a UK firm, sells swimming
costumes in France.
Daniel goes on holiday to
Disneyworld in America

An exchange student from Germany
comes to stay with Gemma

Question Total [6]

1
A593 Mark Scheme June 2011
Question Expected Answer Mark Rationale/Additional Guidance
2 (a) Name two countries which are members of the European [2]
Union (EU).

One mark for the correct identification of an EU country.

Maximum of two marks.
France, Germany, Spain etc. – any two countries from the
Fig. 3 map.

(b) Put a tick next to the country, which has the euro as its [1]
currency.

Country Tick
France 
Switzerland
UK

(c) Explain what is meant by the term ‘free trade’. [2]

Trade between countries without protectionist policies (1), no Accept ‘no barriers/restriction to trade’ as one mark.
tariffs and quotas (1) – two marks.
Brief description such as trade between countries that has no
added taxes – one mark.

2
A593 Mark Scheme June 2011
Question Expected Answer Mark Rationale/Additional Guidance
(d) Should the UK continue to be a member of the EU? Give [8]
reasons for your answer.

Indicative content: Reward candidates who use the figures.

Benefits – free trade, more competition, higher economic
growth, more choice.
Costs – paying large sums of money into the EU budget but
receiving less back, job losses, manufacturers may move to
countries with cheaper factors of production.
For Level 4, both costs and benefits need to be
Level 4: 7-8 marks – Candidate evaluates the impact of the analysed.
EU giving both costs and benefits on the UK.
Award Level 3 where one side of the argument has not
Level 3: 5-6 marks – Candidate analyses benefits or costs been developed adequately.
of the EU for the UK.
Must be related to the UK for Level 2 and above.
Level 2: 3-4 marks – Candidate demonstrates an
understanding of the costs and/or benefits of the EU in the
context for the UK

Level 1: 1-2 marks – Candidate demonstrates knowledge of

costs and/or benefits of the EU.

0 marks – No evidence submitted or response does not

address the question.

Question Total [13]

3
A593 Mark Scheme June 2011
Question Expected Answer Mark Rationale/Additional Guidance
3 (a) Describe the changes in the pound to euro exchange [3]
rate between November 2008 and January 2009.
Allow slight variation in exchange rate values (1.28-
The value of the pound fell (1) sharply (1) from £1=1.25 1.25 to 1.03-1.05).
euros to £1=1.04 euros (1) downward trend with fluctuations No additional marks for the actual change in exchange
(1) became weaker/depreciated (1) to the lowest point (1). rate e.g. change of 22 cents, but can give one mark if
no mention of actual rates.
Trawl through the data = maximum of two marks. Candidates must demonstrate that change is over the
entire period rather than by month/quarter for all three
Maximum of three marks. marks.
Maximum of three ticks.

(b) State two factors that may cause the demand for pounds [2]
sterling to fall.

One mark for each correct factor identified. Maximum of two Use factors from the list only.
marks.
 Interest rates fall Must say reason and direction (otherwise annotate with
 Fall in the demand for UK exports TV).
 Reduced competitiveness of UK exports (rise in the price
of goods & services) Must be about pound (£), not euro (€).
 High(er) inflation
 Future expectations are poor Where two examples of exports falling are given, only
 Rise in demand for imports in the UK award one mark.
 Speculation
 Low(er) foreign direct investment

4
A593 Mark Scheme June 2011
Question Expected Answer Mark Rationale/Additional Guidance
(c) Explain how changes in the pound to the euro exchange [6]
rate might affect the UK’s current account on the
balance of payments.

Indicative content: A weaker pound will make exports

cheaper and therefore more competitive abroad. It will also
make imports more expensive. Demand for exports should
rise and imports fall therefore improving the current account.

Level 3: 5-6 marks – Candidate analyses the impact of how For Level 3, must relate to current account.
a fall in the value of the pound would affect the current
account.

Level 2: 3-4 marks – Candidate demonstrates an For Level 2 and above, candidates must refer to the
understanding of how a fall in the value of the pound would trends in the abstract
affect the current account.

Level 1: 1-2 marks – Candidate demonstrates knowledge of If candidates say that the pound has appreciated, but
how a change in the value of the pound would affect the then logically developed their argument, Level 1 can be
current account. awarded; however, if they identify a specific time scale
and exchange rate, then higher levels may be
0 marks – No evidence submitted or response does not accessed.
address the question.
If candidates write about appreciation and depreciation,
i.e. vice versa, then can only reach Level 1.

Question Total [11]

5
A593 Mark Scheme June 2011
Question Expected Answer Mark Rationale/Additional Guidance
4 (a) Which two newspaper headlines suggest that [2]
international trade is benefiting the UK? Place a tick
against the correct headlines.

One mark for each correct identification. Maximum of two If more than two boxes are ticked mark the first two
marks. ONLY.
A and C.

(b) The newspaper headline D states “UK trade deficit [2]

worsens again”. Explain what is meant by the term ‘trade
deficit’.

The value (1) of imports are greater than exports (1) for a Value not volume.
country. Cannot have value mark if candidate has not stated
Brief description such as imports are greater than exports = exports are less than imports.
one mark.

6
A593 Mark Scheme June 2011
Question Expected Answer Mark Rationale/Additional Guidance
(c) International trade benefits everyone. Do you agree? [8]
Give reasons for your answer.

Indicative content: Reward use of information from case study.

Benefits: more choice, more jobs created, lower prices, more
innovation, countries specialise in what they are best at,
prevents monopolies, increase world output.
Costs: smaller countries may lose out, the environment
may lose out due to increased transportation, job
losses.

Level 4: 7-8 marks – Candidate evaluates the impact of For Level 4, both costs and benefits need to be
international trade to countries giving costs and benefits. analysed.

Level 3: 5-6 marks – Candidate analyses benefits or costs Award Level 3 for explaining a cost/benefit.
of international trade to countries. Award Level 3 where one side of the argument has not
been developed adequately.
Level 2: 3-4 marks – Candidate demonstrates an
understanding of the costs and/or benefits of international Award Level 2 for stating a cost/benefit.
trade to countries.

Level 1: 1-2 marks – Candidate demonstrates knowledge of

international trade.

0 marks – No evidence submitted or response does not

address the question.

Question Total [12]

7
A593 Mark Scheme June 2011
Question Expected Answer Mark Rationale/Additional Guidance
5 (a) Tick two correct statements about the WTO. [2]

If more than two boxes are ticked mark the first two
ONLY.

(b) Explain what is meant by the term ‘subsidy’. [2]

A subsidy is a payment to a firm by the government (1), plus To get one mark, money from government to the firm
one of the following: (must contain both).
 to increase production (1) The second mark must come from the list opposite.
 help reduce price (1)
 help reduce costs (1) However candidates may get one mark by stating a
 to produce in an environmentally friendly way (1) reason only.
 locate to an area of high unemployment (1).
No marks for examples.
Not all parts need to be included.

8
A593 Mark Scheme June 2011
Question Expected Answer Mark Rationale/Additional Guidance
(c) With the aid of a demand and supply diagram, explain [8]
how a subsidy from the US government to US cotton
growers would help make US cotton growers more
competitive and undercut foreign competitors.
Maximum four marks for diagram and four marks for
Supply shifts to the right/quantity of supply increases (1) the explanation.
which lowers price (1). This makes US cotton growers prices No mark for costs reduced.
more competitive/cheaper (1) than other countries (1). No mark for ‘undercut competitors’ (direct quote from
Because they are likely to be lower than their competitors. Up question), without adequate explanation.
to four marks explaining one diagram.
For equilibrium point both price and quantity must be
Diagram – four marks. indicated and labelled.
US cotton growers. P
Correct axes label (p and q) – one mark.
Original equilibrium – one mark. S
Supply curve shifted to the right – one mark. S1
New equilibrium price and quantity labelled – one mark.

Candidate may also draw a demand and supply diagram for P*

the foreign competitors to show the difference. Reward if P1
diagram is correctly labelled (three marks).
Explanation comparing the two diagrams = up to three D
marks.
Q
Q* Q*

Question Total [12]

9
A593 Mark Scheme June 2011
Question Expected Answer Mark Rationale/Additional Guidance
6 (a) (i) Which of the BRIC countries had the highest economic [1]
growth rate in 2008?

China (1 mark)

(ii) Calculate the average growth rate for the BRIC countries [3]
in 2008. Show your working.

6.7% (three marks). No percentage sign = two marks max.

Accept 6.8, 6.775, 6.77, 6.78. Incorrect answer but correct working = one mark.

10
A593 Mark Scheme June 2011
Question Expected Answer Mark Rationale/Additional Guidance
(b) Brazil, Russia, India and China are predicted to become [10]
major world economies. Do you agree? Give reasons for
your answer.

Indicative content:
Likely to become a major world economy – high economic
growth, high unemployment may lead to lower wage costs,
large percentage of world land coverage, large population,
high GDP.
Unlikely to become a major world economy – high inflation
causing high price of their exports, high unemployment may
lead to deskilling.

Level 4: 8-10 marks – Candidate evaluates the impact For Level 4 both costs and benefits need to be
whether the BRIC nations are likely to become a major world analysed.
economy giving reasons why this may happen and reasons Conclusion with judgement required for 10 marks, but
for it not happening. giving judgement does not equate to 10 marks.

Level 3: 5-7 marks – Candidate analyses the reasons why Award Level 3 where one side of the argument has not
BRIC nations are likely or unlikely to become a major world been developed adequately.
economy.

Level 2: 3-4 marks – Candidate demonstrates an For Level 2 or above, candidates must use information
understanding of relevant factors from the case study that from the case study.
would lead to an economy being a major world economy.

Level 1: 1-2 marks - Candidate demonstrates knowledge of Once elements of the case study have been used,
relevant factors that would lead to an economy being a major additional marks may be rewarded i.e. go beyond Level
world economy. 1.

0 marks – No evidence submitted or response does not

address the question.

Question Total [14]

11
A593 Mark Scheme June 2011
Question Expected Answer Mark Rationale/Additional Guidance
7 Using the information in the case study and your own [12]
knowledge of economics, discuss to what extent the
growth of China and India will benefit the UK economy
through international trade.

Indicative content:
Benefit – larger market (40% of worlds population), cheaper
goods and wages are lower, more choice - Fig. 7, a low
percentage of trade with this area of the globe at present so
new markets to explore, headlines A and C show benefits.
Cost – headlines B and D suggest problems, increased
unemployment, possibility of more trade barriers, rising costs
of raw materials due to increased demand.

Level 4: 10-12 marks – Candidate evaluates the benefits For Level 4, both costs and benefits need to be
and costs of the growth of China and India for the UK with a analysed.
conclusion reached – complex issues are discussed with
clear reference to data. Conclusion with judgement required for 12 marks, but
Complex issues have been expressed clearly and fluently giving judgement does not equate to 12 marks.
using a style of writing appropriate to the complex subject
matter. Sentences and paragraphs are consistently relevant,
and have been well structured, using appropriate technical
terminology. There may be few, if any, errors of spelling,
punctuation and grammar. Candidate has been able to
demonstrate and apply knowledge and understanding. The
candidate should have analysed with reference to the
question.

Level 3: 7-9 marks – Candidate analyses costs and/or Award Level 3 where one side of the argument has not
benefits of the growth of China and India for the UK been developed adequately
economy. Relatively straightforward ideas have been
expressed with some clarity and fluency. Arguments are
generally relevant, though may stray from the point of the
question.
There will be some errors of spelling, punctuation and
grammar, but these are unlikely to be intrusive or obscure

12
A593 Mark Scheme June 2011
Question Expected Answer Mark Rationale/Additional Guidance
meaning. Knowledge and understanding has been
demonstrated and applied/understood.

Level 2: 4-6 marks – Candidate demonstrates an Award Level 2 and above for response related to
understanding of how China and India growing will affect the China/India/growing economies.
UK economy – simple ideas are expressed in an appropriate
way.
Some simple ideas have been expressed in an appropriate
context. There are likely to be some errors of spelling,
punctuation and grammar of which some may be noticeable
and intrusive. A basic knowledge and understanding has
been demonstrated.

Level 1: 1-3 marks – Candidate demonstrates knowledge of Award Level 1 where very general international trade
the costs and/or benefits of trading with a growing economy. costs/benefits are given.
Some simple ideas have been expressed. There will be
some errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar which will Any points relating costs/benefits to China/India rather
be noticeable and intrusive. Writing may also lack legibility. than the UK can only be awarded Level 1.

Question Total [12]

Paper Total [80]

13
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