: Pearson Edexcel past-paper questions pack
Back to the topic page

The nature of economics and the economic problem

Past-paper questions pack

Name
Class
Date set
Date due
Score/ 65

Questions are numbered; the mark schemes (the answer key) follow on separate pages so the question pages can be handed out alone. www.economicsaleveltutor.com

Pearson Edexcel AS and A-level Economics past-paper questions since 2016 · 21 parts · mark schemes follow the questions · www.economicsaleveltutor.com · Questions and mark schemes © Pearson Edexcel

1. June 2025 · AS Paper 1 · Q1(b) · 3 marks · AO1=1,AO2=1,AO3=1
(b) Using an example from your own knowledge, explain the distinction between renewable and non-renewable resources. (3)
2. June 2025 · AS Paper 1 · Q6(d) · 4 marks · AO1=2,AO2=2
(d) Using examples from either Extract A or Extract B, explain what is meant by positive and normative economic statements. (4)
3. June 2024 · AS Paper 1 · Q1(a) · 3 marks · AO1=1,AO2=1,AO3=1
(a) With reference to the information provided, explain the distinction between renewable and non‑renewable resources. (3)
4. June 2024 · AS Paper 1 · Q1(b) · 1 marks · AO1=1
(b) Which one of the following best describes ‘scarcity’? (1) A An extension of the demand curve B Excess supply C Insufficient resources to satisfy wants D The misallocation of resources
5. June 2024 · AS Paper 1 · Q4(a) · 1 marks · AO1=1
(a) Which one of the following best describes the two statements above? (1) Statement 1 Statement 2 A Normative Normative B Normative Positive C Positive Normative D Positive Positive
6. June 2024 · AS Paper 1 · Q4(b) · 3 marks · AO1=1,AO2=1,AO3=1
5% of total government spending in Finland is on education and therefore other areas of the economy have reduced funding as a result, including the military despite an increase in recent global conflicts. (b) With reference to the information above, explain what is meant by ‘opportunity cost’. (3)
7. June 2024 · AS Paper 1 · Q5(b) · 1 marks · AO1=1
(b) Define the term ‘ceteris paribus’. (1)
8. June 2023 · AS Paper 1 · Q3(b) · 1 marks ·
(b) Which one of the following is a positive economic statement? (1) A Disruption to global supply chains will reduce the level of trade B Supply chain disruption is the most important issue facing governments C The free market leads to the best allocation of resources D The government ought to increase healthcare spending
9. June 2023 · Paper 3 · Q1(a) · 5 marks · AO1=2,AO2=2,AO3=1
(a) Explain the difference between a positive and a normative statement, using an example of each from Extract A. (5)
10. June 2022 · AS Paper 1 · Q4(a) · 3 marks · AO1=1,AO2=1,AO3=1
(a) With reference to the statement above, explain the difference between positive and normative statements. (3)
11. November 2021 · Paper 1 · Q1(a) · 1 marks · AO1=1
(a) Which one of the following best describes the two statements above? (1) Statement 1 Statement 2 A Normative Normative B Normative Positive C Positive Normative D Positive Positive
12. October 2020 · AS Paper 1 · Q3(b) · 3 marks · AO1=1,AO2=1,AO3=1
(b) Explain an opportunity cost to the government of granting subsidies to energy suppliers to install loft insulation. (3)
13. October 2020 · AS Paper 1 · Q6(b) · 10 marks · AO1=2,AO2=2,AO3=2,AO4=4
According to Extract B, the drop-out rate of students from low-income households is much higher than that of high-income households. (b) Assess the likely impact of these drop-out rates on the allocation of resources within an economy. (10)
14. June 2019 · AS Paper 1 · Q6(a) · 5 marks · AO1=1,AO2=2,AO3=2
(a) With reference to Extract A and Figure 2, explain how the health care market in the UK illustrates the economic problem. (5)
15. June 2019 · Paper 1 · Q6(a) · 5 marks · AO1=1,AO2=2,AO3=2
(a) With reference to Extract A, explain the difference between a positive statement and a normative statement. (5)
16. June 2019 · Paper 3 · Q2(a) · 5 marks · AO1=2,AO2=2,AO3=1
(a) With reference to Extract D line 21, explain why ‘opportunity cost’ is a problem for governments of developing countries when servicing debt. (5)
17. June 2018 · AS Paper 1 · Q1(a) · 1 marks ·
(a) Which one of the following best describes the two statements above? (1) Statement 1 Statement 2 A Normative Normative B Normative Positive C Positive Normative D Positive Positive
18. June 2018 · AS Paper 1 · Q1(b) · 2 marks · AO2=2
(b) Cuba’s population is estimated to be 11 million. With reference to Statement 1 above, calculate the estimated number of doctors in Cuba. You are advised to show your working. (2)
19. June 2018 · AS Paper 1 · Q2(c) · 1 marks · AO1=1
(c) Define the term ‘ceteris paribus’. (1)
20. June 2018 · AS Paper 1 · Q6(d) · 4 marks · AO1=2,AO2=2
(d) Using examples from the information provided, explain what is meant by renewable and non-renewable energy. (4)
21. June 2017 · AS Paper 1 · Q1(a) · 3 marks · AO1=1,AO2=1,AO3=1
(a) Explain, using marginal analysis from the table above, the concept of opportunity cost. (You may use the last column in answering the question.) (3)

Mark schemes

1. June 2025 · AS Paper 1 · Q1(b)
Mark scheme June 2025 Paper 1 Q1(b)
2. June 2025 · AS Paper 1 · Q6(d)
Mark scheme June 2025 Paper 1 Q6(d)
3. June 2024 · AS Paper 1 · Q1(a)
Mark scheme June 2024 Paper 1 Q1(a)
4. June 2024 · AS Paper 1 · Q1(b)
Mark scheme June 2024 Paper 1 Q1(b)
5. June 2024 · AS Paper 1 · Q4(a)
Mark scheme June 2024 Paper 1 Q4(a)
6. June 2024 · AS Paper 1 · Q4(b)
Mark scheme June 2024 Paper 1 Q4(b)
7. June 2024 · AS Paper 1 · Q5(b)
Mark scheme June 2024 Paper 1 Q5(b)
8. June 2023 · AS Paper 1 · Q3(b)
Mark scheme June 2023 Paper 1 Q3(b)
9. June 2023 · Paper 3 · Q1(a)
Mark scheme June 2023 Paper 3 Q1(a)
10. June 2022 · AS Paper 1 · Q4(a)
Mark scheme June 2022 Paper 1 Q4(a)
11. November 2021 · Paper 1 · Q1(a)
Mark scheme November 2021 Paper 1 Q1(a)
12. October 2020 · AS Paper 1 · Q3(b)
Mark scheme October 2020 Paper 1 Q3(b)
13. October 2020 · AS Paper 1 · Q6(b)
Mark scheme October 2020 Paper 1 Q6(b)
14. June 2019 · AS Paper 1 · Q6(a)
Mark scheme June 2019 Paper 1 Q6(a)
15. June 2019 · Paper 1 · Q6(a)
Mark scheme June 2019 Paper 1 Q6(a)
16. June 2019 · Paper 3 · Q2(a)
Mark scheme June 2019 Paper 3 Q2(a)
17. June 2018 · AS Paper 1 · Q1(a)
Mark scheme June 2018 Paper 1 Q1(a)
18. June 2018 · AS Paper 1 · Q1(b)
Mark scheme June 2018 Paper 1 Q1(b)
19. June 2018 · AS Paper 1 · Q2(c)
Mark scheme June 2018 Paper 1 Q2(c)
20. June 2018 · AS Paper 1 · Q6(d)
Mark scheme June 2018 Paper 1 Q6(d)
21. June 2017 · AS Paper 1 · Q1(a)
Mark scheme June 2017 Paper 1 Q1(a)