Edexcel B · Theme 2: The wider economic environment · 2.4 Life in a global economy

Edexcel B Economics past paper questions: Life in a global economy

Every Edexcel B question on Life in a global economy from 2016 to 2025: 3 essays, 25 data response questions and 11 short answer questions. It covers The economic cycle, Introducing the market, Business growth and competitive advantage, Global labour markets and Enterprise, business and the economy. Each question links to its paper, mark scheme and examiner report.

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SubtopicsThe economic cycle 7Introducing the market 5Business growth and competitive advantage 3Global labour markets 2Enterprise, business and the economy 2Introduction to macroeconomic policy 1Impact of globalisation on local and national economies 1

Essay questions on life in a global economy

A-level Paper 3, June 2024, Q2(d)Evaluate20 marks

Case study: Furniture firm Moko raises 786.6m Kenyan shillings (KES) to expand

Evaluate how membership of the AfCFTA might benefit African countries such as Kenya.

Question paper p.22 Mark scheme p.19 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 3, November 2020, Q2(d)Evaluate20 marks

Case study: Average output price of potatoes in the United Kingdom (UK)

Evaluate the implications of exchange rate volatility for firms.

Question paper p.24 Mark scheme p.19 Examiner report p.19 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 3, June 2018, Q2(d)Evaluate20 marks

Case study: Indian cycle brand Hero opens Global Design Centre in Manchester

Evaluate the extent to which Hero Cycles should adapt its marketing strategy for global markets.

Question paper p.24 Mark scheme p.18 Examiner report p.30 Open in the tool

Data response questions on life in a global economy

A-level Paper 2, June 2025, Q1(e)Discuss8 marks

Case study: UK strikes in 2022–2023

With reference to Extract B, discuss the impact of skill shortages on international competitiveness.

Question paper p.6 Mark scheme p.8 Examiner report p.11 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 3, June 2024, Q2(a)Discuss8 marks

Case study: Furniture firm Moko raises 786.6m Kenyan shillings (KES) to expand

Discuss the use of venture capital as a source of finance for a firm such as Moko.

Question paper p.16 Mark scheme p.13 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 3, June 2024, Q2(c)Assess12 marks

Case study: Furniture firm Moko raises 786.6m Kenyan shillings (KES) to expand

Assess how the depreciation of the shilling may affect Kenyan firms such as Moko.

Question paper p.20 Mark scheme p.17 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 3, June 2023, Q1(c)Assess12 marks

Case study: Whitsuntide hirings* – 16th April, 1879

Assess the benefits for a firm of adapting its marketing strategies for global markets.

Question paper p.8 Mark scheme p.8 Examiner report p.12 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 3, June 2022, Q1(b)Assess10 marks

Case study: Why is the yuan’s exchange rate with the US dollar important?

Assess the impact of exchange rate changes on economic growth for a country.

Question paper p.6 Mark scheme p.6 Examiner report p.8 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, November 2021, Q1(d)Analyse6 marks

Case study: Edinburgh to introduce £2 a day tourist tax

With reference to Extract B, analyse the impact of the tourism industry on two components of aggregate demand (AD) in Scotland.

Question paper p.7 Mark scheme p.7 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, November 2021, Q1(e)Discuss8 marks

Case study: Edinburgh to introduce £2 a day tourist tax

Discuss the likely impact of the Transient Visitor Levy (TVL) on tourism in Edinburgh.

Question paper p.8 Mark scheme p.8 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, November 2021, Q1(g)Assess12 marks

Case study: Edinburgh to introduce £2 a day tourist tax

Assess the likely impact of the falling rate of unemployment between 2010–2018 on firms in Scotland.

Question paper p.12 Mark scheme p.12 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 3, November 2020, Q2(a)Discuss8 marks

Case study: Average output price of potatoes in the United Kingdom (UK)

Discuss the benefits to Walkers of using forward markets to buy potatoes.

Question paper p.18 Mark scheme p.13 Insert Examiner report p.13 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 3, November 2020, Q2(b)Assess10 marks

Case study: Average output price of potatoes in the United Kingdom (UK)

Using an appropriate diagram, assess the possible impact of this on the potato market in 2018.

Question paper p.20 Mark scheme p.15 Insert Examiner report p.15 Open in the tool Draw it: supply and demand diagram

A-level Paper 3, November 2020, Q2(c)Assess12 marks

Case study: Average output price of potatoes in the United Kingdom (UK)

Assess the extent to which rising input costs are a problem for food and drink firms.

Question paper p.22 Mark scheme p.17 Insert Examiner report p.17 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2019, Q1(d)Analyse6 marks

Case study: Food bank use in UK reaches highest rate on record

With reference to Extract B, analyse how underemployment might contribute to the gender pay gap.

Question paper p.7 Mark scheme p.5 Examiner report p.10 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2019, Q1(e)Discuss8 marks

Case study: Food bank use in UK reaches highest rate on record

Discuss the likely effects on a firm such as L’Oréal of this projected rise in sales.

Question paper p.8 Mark scheme p.6 Examiner report p.13 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2019, Q1(g)Assess12 marks

Case study: Food bank use in UK reaches highest rate on record

Using a suitable diagram, assess the likely impact of quotas on Indian cosmetics producers and consumers.

Question paper p.11 Mark scheme p.10 Examiner report p.20 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2019, Q1(h)Assess12 marks

Case study: Food bank use in UK reaches highest rate on record

Using Extract E, assess the likely benefits to Natura of purchasing The Body Shop.

Question paper p.13 Mark scheme p.12 Examiner report p.24 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 3, June 2019, Q1(c)Assess12 marks

Case study: Swedish labour market ‘tougher than ever’

Assess the impact skills shortages may have on international competitiveness.

Question paper p.10 Mark scheme p.8 Insert Examiner report p.12 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2018, Q1(f)Assess10 marks

Case study: The value of tourism in England

Assess the claim that China represents ‘a huge tourism opportunity for Britain’. (Extract B)

Question paper p.10 Mark scheme p.10 Examiner report p.14 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2018, Q1(g)Assess12 marks

Case study: The value of tourism in England

Assess the likely impact of the depreciation of the pound on the UK tourism industry.

Question paper p.12 Mark scheme p.12 Examiner report p.18 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2018, Q1(h)Assess12 marks

Case study: The value of tourism in England

Assess the accuracy of this statement.

Question paper p.14 Mark scheme p.14 Examiner report p.22 Open in the tool

AS Paper 2, June 2018, Q1(e)Assess12 marks

Case study: Crisp maker hit by price rises

Using the data in Extract B, assess the extent to which the depreciation of the pound sterling (£) will have an impact on UK manufacturers such as Nim’s Fruit Crisps.

Question paper p.7 Mark scheme p.8 Examiner report p.10 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2017, Q1(d)Analyse6 marks

Case study: The UK balance of trade in 2013

Analyse why the owners of AngelBerry advise that it is ‘essential to carry out thorough research before you start exporting’.

Question paper p.7 Mark scheme p.5 Examiner report p.8 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2017, Q1(e)Discuss8 marks

Case study: The UK balance of trade in 2013

Using a suitable diagram, discuss the likely impact of increasing net exports on the UK economy.

Question paper p.8 Mark scheme p.6 Examiner report p.10 Open in the tool Draw it: AD/AS diagram

A-level Paper 2, June 2017, Q1(g)Assess12 marks

Case study: The UK balance of trade in 2013

Part of the £3.4m investment in the Teesside deep-water quay was provided by the UK Government. Assess the likely impact of the investment on the local economy.

Question paper p.11 Mark scheme p.10 Examiner report p.14 Open in the tool Practise the AD/AS diagram Practise the multiplier diagram

A-level Paper 2, June 2017, Q1(h)Assess12 marks

Case study: The UK balance of trade in 2013

Assess the likely effectiveness of using fiscal policy to reduce the deficit in the UK balance of trade in goods.

Question paper p.13 Mark scheme p.12 Examiner report p.16 Open in the tool Practise the AD/AS diagram

AS Paper 1, June 2016, Q1(e)Assess12 marks

Case study: Canada’s Top Exports in 2014

With reference to Extracts A and B, assess the potential effects on Canadian firms of changes in the wider economic environment.

Question paper p.8 Mark scheme p.8 Examiner report p.10 Open in the tool

Short answer questions on life in a global economy

Case study: Edinburgh to introduce £2 a day tourist tax

Explain one external cost caused by mass tourism to the city of Edinburgh.

Question paper p.6 Mark scheme p.6 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2019, Q1(a)Calculate4 marks

Case study: Food bank use in UK reaches highest rate on record

Using the data from Extract C, calculate the total global market share of L’Oréal.

Question paper p.4 Mark scheme p.4 Examiner report p.4 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2019, Q1(b)Explain4 marks

Case study: Food bank use in UK reaches highest rate on record

Using Extract D, explain one possible reason why the growth forecast for the niche market in North America is greater than for the mass market.

Question paper p.5 Mark scheme p.4 Examiner report p.6 Open in the tool

Case study: UK premium chocolate market and inflation data

Using the trend shown in Extract A for the period 2016-2017, explain one possible impact on chocolate manufacturers, such as Hotel Chocolat.

Question paper p.5 Mark scheme p.5 Examiner report p.4 Open in the tool

AS Paper 2, June 2019, Q2(a)Define2 marks

Case study: Brazil: foreign direct investment and unemployment data

What is meant by the term 'exports'?

Question paper p.12 Mark scheme p.9 Examiner report p.8 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2018, Q1(b)Explain4 marks

Case study: The value of tourism in England

Using Extract B, explain one impact of the increase in tourists from China on the UK Balance of Payments.

Question paper p.5 Mark scheme p.5 Examiner report p.5 Open in the tool

Case study: The value of tourism in England

Explain one way in which the digital economy may boost UK tourism.

Question paper p.6 Mark scheme p.6 Examiner report p.7 Open in the tool

AS Paper 2, June 2018, Q1(a)Define2 marks

Case study: Crisp maker hit by price rises

What is meant by the term ‘imports’?

Question paper p.3 Mark scheme p.4 Examiner report p.4 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2017, Q1(a)Calculate4 marks

Case study: The UK balance of trade in 2013

Using the data from Extract A, calculate the balance of trade in goods for the UK in 2013. You are advised to show your working.

Question paper p.4 Mark scheme p.4 Examiner report p.4 Open in the tool

Case study: The UK balance of trade in 2013

Using data from Extract A, explain one reason why the UK economy can be described as developed.

Question paper p.6 Mark scheme p.5 Examiner report p.6 Open in the tool

AS Paper 1, June 2016, Q1(a)Define2 marks

Case study: Canada’s Top Exports in 2014

What is meant by the term ‘exchange rate’?

Question paper p.5 Mark scheme p.4 Examiner report p.4 Open in the tool

Question text is quoted from the question papers, © Pearson Edexcel, for students’ private study. Open the official papers and mark schemes from the links on each question. Examiner insights are written with AI assistance and moderated by Finn.

Essay questions on life in a global economy

Data response questions on life in a global economy

Short answer questions on life in a global economy

More Edexcel B topics: The wider economic environment