Every piece of knowledge, every analysis chain and every evaluation point that the 46 Unit 11 Paper 4 essay questions in the bank (2016–2026) ask for. Tick an item only when you can explain it from memory, out loud or on paper, without looking.
清单条目使用英文，也就是考试作答所用的语言。标题、按钮和说明仍为中文。
0 / 190ticked
How to use this checklist
Cover the page and try each item out loud or on paper. Tick it only when you got it right without looking.
Items with a diagram: draw it yourself first, then open it to compare.
Use the 'Asked in' links to open the real questions that need an item, and write one of them.
Work on the items you cannot tick first. 'Hide ticked' shows only those.
Before a test, print the checklist and go through it again on paper.
11.1Policies to correct disequilibrium in the balance of payments
Two essays are filed here, one on tariffs and one comparing expenditure-reducing with expenditure-switching policy. The expenditure-switching and expenditure-reducing essays filed under 11.2 need the same policy chains, so all of those chains are kept in this section. The exchange-rate chains, including devaluation and the Marshall–Lerner condition, are in 11.2.
The 2 past-paper questions on this section
9708/44/M/J/26Discuss whether expenditure-reducing policies are preferable to expenditure-switching policies in order to correct a persistent deficit on the current account of the balance of payments.[20]
9708/43/O/N/25'The use of tariffs is the most effective way to correct a balance of payments deficit.' With the help of a diagram, evaluate this statement.[20]
Two essays filed here are about expenditure-switching and expenditure-reducing policy; their policy chains are in 11.1. This section adds what Paper 4 asks beyond the AS chains in 6.4: devaluation and managed rates, the Marshall–Lerner condition, the J-curve, and the effect of the exchange rate on every macroeconomic aim.
The 6 past-paper questions on this section
9708/44/M/J/25A ccountry with an open economy has falling demand for exports. Consider the view that monetary policy alone will solve this problem.[20]
9708/42/F/M/25With the help of a diagram, evaluate the effectiveness of the use of expenditure-switching policies to reduce a current account deficit on the balance of payments.[20]
9708/41/O/N/25Evaluate the effect of a rise in the exchange rate on the achievement of the macroeconomic aims of a country.[20]
9708/42/O/N/25Evaluate the effect of a fall in the exchange rate on the achievement of the macroeconomic aims of a country.[20]
9708/42/M/J/23Consider the extent to which the depreciation of its foreign exchange rate contributes to the economic growth of a low-income country.[20]
9708/42/F/M/23'Expenditure-reducing policies will reduce a balance of payments deficit but will also cause significant unemployment.' Evaluate this statement.[20]
Most essays here ask how living standards and development should be measured, so the measures come first in each group, followed by the routes to growth and development. The population and trade characteristics that several of these essays rest on are in 11.4.
The 20 past-paper questions on this section
9708/42/M/J/26Consider whether the use of gross national income (GNI) alone is sufficient to measure the standard of living in a high-income country (HIC).[20]
9708/42/O/N/23Consider the relative merits of gross national income (GNI) and the multidimensional poverty index (MPI) as measures of the standard of living.[20]
9708/41/M/J/23To what extent do you agree that an increase in productivity will lead to a higher standard of living in low-income countries?[20]
9708/43/O/N/22Developing economies have a high proportion of economically inactive people relative to the size of the labour force (a high dependency ratio). This is the main reason why the standard of living is low in developing economies. Evaluate this statement.[25]
9708/41/O/N/22Explain what economists mean by an increase in real GDP per capita and discuss the extent to which an increase in real GDP per capita will have a positive impact on economic development.[25]
9708/41/M/J/22With the help of a circular flow diagram discuss how a policy of export-led growth might affect the standard of living in a developing economy.[25]
9708/42/F/M/22Many developing countries rely heavily on the production and export of primary products. This is the main cause of low levels of economic growth in developing countries and therefore the main explanation for the low standard of living in these countries. Discuss the extent to which you agree with this statement.[25]
9708/42/O/N/21Discuss the extent to which gross domestic product (GDP) is a useful measure of living standards and economic development.[25]
9708/42/M/J/21Discuss the extent to which the Human Development Index (HDI) and the Measure of Economic Welfare (MEW) provide better measures of living standards than Gross National Income (GNI).[25]
9708/43/O/N/19'There have been many attempts to measure changes in living standards both within and between countries. Although some have been more useful than others, none of these alternative measures has produced a sufficiently accurate, reliable indicator of changes in living standards.' How far would you agree with this statement?[25]
9708/42/O/N/19Discuss whether countries at different stages of development should use different methods of measuring living standards.[25]
9708/41/O/N/19'The Human Development Index (HDI) is a more useful indicator of changes in living standards than changes in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but it still does not provide an entirely accurate assessment of whether living standards have improved over a given time period.' Critically evaluate this statement.[25]
9708/43/M/J/18Economic development can only be achieved by economic growth and this depends solely on higher levels of government investment. To what extent would you agree with this statement?[25]
9708/41/M/J/18'Both developed and developing economies can experience high levels of unemployment, high rates of inflation and large current account deficits. Therefore there is now no real difference between these two types of economy'. How far would you agree with the view that this statement is misleading?[25]
9708/42/F/M/18Some developing countries pursue export-led growth and argue that the overall growth of the economy can be generated not only by increasing the amounts of labour and capital but also by expanding exports. Other developing countries prefer to promote growth by encouraging investment by foreign multinational corporations. Compare these approaches and assess which is likely to be the more effective.[25]
9708/42/O/N/17Whether a country can be classified as developed depends on the value of its GDP and the higher the GDP the better it is for the country. Consider this opinion.[25]
9708/41/O/N/17'The measurement of living standards is problematic. It is never certain that people in one country are better off than those in another. The classification of countries into developing and developed is, therefore, never clear.' Do you agree with this argument?[25]
9708/42/M/J/16Imagine you have been asked to produce a report about the quality of life in your country. Discuss what would be important to include in your report and what economic indicators you would use in order to reach a conclusion.[25]
9708/41/M/J/16Discuss which issues are at the heart of the debate about the quality of life in a country and what indicators might be used to assess them.[25]
9708/42/F/M/16Governments want to increase the standard of living in their country. Discuss whether the indicators used to measure the standard of living are reliable and consider what policies a government might use to try to increase the standard of living in its country.[25]
No essay in the bank is set on 11.4 directly. You still need it: essays filed under 11.3, 11.5 and 11.6 ask whether a high dependency ratio or reliance on primary exports explains low living standards, and expect the key characteristics of low- and high-income countries, which are here.
One essay here, on privatisation as a condition of IMF and World Bank support, is about market structure and efficiency rather than aid and investment; its items come last in each group.
The 11 past-paper questions on this section
9708/42/F/M/26Consider the extent to which aid and trade can contribute to a country’s economic development.[20]
9708/41/M/J/26Assess the view that high levels of external debt are an unsustainable burden to low-income countries.[20]
9708/42/O/N/25Evaluate whether the presence of multinational companies (MNCs) in low-income countries is always beneficial.[20]
9708/42/O/N/24Privatisation is often required by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank before they are prepared to offer support to countries requiring loans, grants, debt relief and debt cancellation programs. Evaluate the view that privatisation will always improve the allocation of resources in a country.[20]
9708/42/O/N/24Between 2010 and 2020, very low interest rates encouraged low-income countries to borrow money from foreign investors and governments to finance long-term economic growth. Evaluate this approach to promoting long-term economic growth.[20]
9708/43/O/N/23Assess the impact of international aid on the standard of living in low-income countries.[20]
9708/42/O/N/23The presence of multinational corporations (MNCs) in a low-income country always promotes economic growth in that country. Evaluate this statement.[20]
9708/42/O/N/22Discuss the ability of multinational corporations to increase living standards in their home country and the other countries in which they operate.[25]
9708/43/O/N/21The International Monetary Fund (IMF) lends money to developing countries but requires that these countries reduce existing restrictions on imports, focus on the export of primary goods and accept a devaluation of their currencies. Based upon the above, assess whether developing countries should continue to borrow money from the IMF.[25]
9708/41/O/N/21'In developing economies an increase in GDP determines an increase in the standard of living. Foreign direct investment (FDI) will produce an increase in GDP therefore governments in developing economies should encourage FDI.' How far do you agree with this statement?[25]
9708/42/O/N/20“Investment by multinational corporations (MNCs) in a developing country always promotes sustainable economic growth in that country.” Discuss.[25]
9708/42/M/J/25Globalisation will have an equally beneficial effect on the standard of living in both high-income and low-income countries. Evaluate this statement.[20]
9708/41/M/J/25A free trade area gains all the benefits associated with being a member of a customs union while avoiding all the costs associated with being a member of a customs union. Evaluate this statement.[20]
9708/43/O/N/24Some high-income countries have introduced a policy of high tariffs on some imports to reduce the negative effects of globalisation on their economies. With the help of a diagram, evaluate this policy.[20]
9708/41/O/N/24In recent years many countries have joined or established a free trade area (FTA). Evaluate, with the help of a diagram(s), whether membership of an FTA is always beneficial to a country.[20]
9708/42/F/M/24Globalisation will help to achieve economic growth in high-income economies and this will automatically improve living standards. Evaluate this statement.[20]
9708/41/O/N/23To what extent do you agree with the view that globalisation benefits high-income countries at the expense of low-income countries?[20]
9708/42/F/M/23Assess the impact of globalisation on the standard of living in low-income countries.[20]
These work in every section. Most of the six evaluation marks in a Unit 11 essay come from one of these moves, developed and applied to the exact claim in the question, then pulled together into a judgement.
Model chains and evaluation points for each item are being added. Until then, check yourself against the chapter notes and the mark scheme for each question.
This is a free, unofficial Cambridge 9708 Economics revision resource and is not affiliated with Cambridge Assessment International Education.