: Pearson Edexcel past-paper questions pack
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Rational decision making and behavioural economics

Past-paper questions pack

Name
Class
Date set
Date due
Score/ 80

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 · 10 parts · mark schemes follow the questions · www.economicsaleveltutor.com · Questions and mark schemes © Pearson Edexcel

1. June 2025 · Paper 1 · Q4(b) · 1 marks ·
(b) In September 2022, the online retailer, Amazon, increased the price of its Prime service from £7.99 a month to £8.99. As a result, almost 600 000 people cancelled their subscriptions. (Source: adapted from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/08/17/ hundreds-thousands-uk-households-ditch-amazon-prime/) Which one of the following is the most likely explanation of this behaviour? These consumers: (1) A aim to maximise profits B aim to maximise utility C demonstrate habitual behaviour D demonstrate weakness at computation
2. June 2025 · AS Paper 1 · Q6(b) · 10 marks · AO1=2,AO2=2,AO3=2,AO4=4
(b) With reference to the information provided and your own knowledge, assess the view that consumers switching to meat-substitute products is an example of rational behaviour. (10)
3. June 2024 · AS Paper 1 · Q6(b) · 10 marks · AO1=2,AO2=2,AO3=2,AO4=4
(b) With reference to Extract A and your own knowledge, assess the view that it is irrational to buy plastic carrier bags when shopping. (10)
4. June 2023 · AS Paper 1 · Q4(a) · 3 marks · AO1=1,AO2=1,AO3=1
(a) Explain one reason why it is rational for a firm to raise prices when there is excess demand. (3)
5. June 2023 · Paper 1 · Q6(b) · 10 marks · AO1=2,AO2=2,AO3=2,AO4=4
(b) With reference to the information provided, assess whether Netflix subscribers behave rationally. (10)
6. June 2022 · AS Paper 1 · Q6(b) · 10 marks · AO1=2,AO2=2,AO3=2,AO4=4
According to Extract B, lines 15–16, ‘fishing companies are not made accountable for the state of the ocean. They continue to fish as much as possible to maximise profit’. (b) Assess whether it is rational for fishing companies to behave in this way. (10)
7. June 2019 · Paper 1 · Q6(c) · 10 marks · AO1=2,AO2=2,AO3=2,AO4=4
(c) With reference to Extract C, assess possible reasons why many ‘landline-only’ customers do not switch to a cheaper telephone provider. (10)
8. June 2018 · AS Paper 1 · Q6(c) · 6 marks · AO1=2,AO2=2,AO3=2
(c) With reference to Extract B, explain two likely reasons why many consumers of energy have not switched to suppliers offering lower prices. (6)
9. June 2017 · AS Paper 1 · Q6(b) · 10 marks · AO1=2,AO2=2,AO3=2,AO4=4
(b) With reference to the information provided and your own knowledge, assess the view that tobacco consumers switching to e-cigarettes is an example of rational behaviour. (10)
10. June 2017 · Paper 1 · Q6(d) · 10 marks · AO1=2,AO2=2,AO3=2,AO4=4
(d) Assess the extent to which ‘information gaps’ (Extract B, lines 5 and 6) and ‘irrational behaviour’ (Extract B, line 11) are the main causes of food waste in the UK. (10)

Mark schemes

1. June 2025 · Paper 1 · Q4(b)
Mark scheme June 2025 Paper 1 Q4(b)
2. June 2025 · AS Paper 1 · Q6(b)
Mark scheme June 2025 Paper 1 Q6(b)
3. June 2024 · AS Paper 1 · Q6(b)
Mark scheme June 2024 Paper 1 Q6(b)
4. June 2023 · AS Paper 1 · Q4(a)
Mark scheme June 2023 Paper 1 Q4(a)
5. June 2023 · Paper 1 · Q6(b)
Mark scheme June 2023 Paper 1 Q6(b)
6. June 2022 · AS Paper 1 · Q6(b)
Mark scheme June 2022 Paper 1 Q6(b)
7. June 2019 · Paper 1 · Q6(c)
Mark scheme June 2019 Paper 1 Q6(c)
8. June 2018 · AS Paper 1 · Q6(c)
Mark scheme June 2018 Paper 1 Q6(c)
9. June 2017 · AS Paper 1 · Q6(b)
Mark scheme June 2017 Paper 1 Q6(b)
10. June 2017 · Paper 1 · Q6(d)
Mark scheme June 2017 Paper 1 Q6(d)