Edexcel B · Theme 2: The wider economic environment · 2.3 Productive efficiency

Edexcel B Economics past paper questions: Productive efficiency

Every Edexcel B question on Productive efficiency from 2016 to 2024: 3 essays, 13 data response questions and 6 short answer questions. It covers The economic cycle, Impact of globalisation on global companies, Globalisation and Life in a global economy. Each question links to its paper, mark scheme and examiner report.

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SubtopicsThe economic cycle 3Impact of globalisation on global companies 3Globalisation 2Life in a global economy 2

Essay questions on productive efficiency

A-level Paper 2, June 2024, Q3Evaluate20 marks

Case study: Will artificial intelligence (AI) replace people?

Evaluate the view that the main causes of unemployment are technological and structural.

Question paper p.23 Mark scheme p.18 Examiner report p.35 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2023, Q2Evaluate20 marks

Case study: Tesco and Aldi take drastic action to avoid empty supermarket shelves

Evaluate the impact of just in time (JIT) management of stock on the efficiency and competitiveness of firms.

Question paper p.17 Mark scheme p.16 Examiner report p.28 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2019, Q3Evaluate20 marks

Case study: Production at Toyota

Evaluate the extent to which quality is important for car manufacturers such as Toyota and Tesla.

Question paper p.21 Mark scheme p.16 Examiner report p.33 Open in the tool

Data response questions on productive efficiency

A-level Paper 3, June 2024, Q1(b)Assess10 marks

Case study: In early 2022, Tesla upgraded its Shanghai factory in China. This increased the factory’s

Assess whether investment in the labour force is the best way for a firm to increase productivity.

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

A-level Paper 2, June 2023, Q1(d)Analyse6 marks

Case study: UK restaurant sector in March 2022

Analyse two ways small firms might survive in the competitive restaurant market.

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

A-level Paper 2, June 2023, Q1(e)Discuss8 marks

Case study: UK restaurant sector in March 2022

Discuss the possible benefits to takeaway firms of using dark kitchens.

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

A-level Paper 2, June 2023, Q1(h)12 marks

Case study: UK restaurant sector in March 2022

With reference to Extract B, assess potential stakeholder conflicts associated with the growth of dark kitchens.

Question paper p.13 Mark scheme p.14 Examiner report p.24 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2022, Q1(d)Analyse6 marks

Case study: Health and the macroeconomy

Analyse two factors influencing labour productivity in either Denmark or the UK.

Question paper p.7 Mark scheme p.8 Examiner report p.11 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2022, Q1(e)Discuss8 marks

Case study: Health and the macroeconomy

Discuss the likely impact of low productivity on economic growth in the UK between 2015 and 2018.

Question paper p.8 Mark scheme p.9 Examiner report p.14 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 3, November 2021, Q1(a)Discuss8 marks

Case study: UK’s productivity crisis

Discuss the link between productivity and competitiveness in the UK economy.

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

A-level Paper 3, November 2021, Q1(b)Assess10 marks

Case study: UK’s productivity crisis

Using a suitable diagram, assess the importance of an increase in productivity to UK economic growth.

Question paper p.6 Mark scheme p.6 Insert Open in the tool Draw it: AD/AS diagram

A-level Paper 3, November 2021, Q1(c)Assess12 marks

Case study: UK’s productivity crisis

Assess the importance of technology in increasing the productivity of the UK economy.

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

A-level Paper 3, June 2019, Q1(b)Assess10 marks

Case study: Swedish labour market ‘tougher than ever’

Assess the connection between productivity and wages.

Question paper p.8 Mark scheme p.6 Insert Examiner report p.9 Open in the tool

AS Paper 2, June 2017, Q1(d)Discuss8 marks

Case study: International Comparisons of Productivity – Final Estimates for 2014

Discuss the importance of increasing productivity to UK firms such as JLR.

Question paper p.6 Mark scheme p.6 Examiner report p.9 Open in the tool

AS Paper 2, June 2017, Q1(e)Assess12 marks

Case study: International Comparisons of Productivity – Final Estimates for 2014

Assess the importance of education and training to improve labour productivity in the UK.

Question paper p.7 Mark scheme p.8 Examiner report p.11 Open in the tool

AS Paper 2, June 2016, Q2(d)Discuss8 marks

Case study: Lightbulb moment as first mass market graphene product goes live

Discuss the possible benefits of online retailing for firms such as Graphene Lighting.

Question paper p.11 Mark scheme p.12 Examiner report p.14 Open in the tool

Short answer questions on productive efficiency

Case study: Health and the macroeconomy

Using the data in Extract D, calculate the difference in the percentage change in labour productivity for the UK and Denmark between 2015 and 2018. You are advised to show your working.

Question paper p.6 Mark scheme p.7 Examiner report p.9 Open in the tool

AS Paper 2, June 2018, Q1(b)Calculate4 marks

Case study: Crisp maker hit by price rises

Calculate, to 2 decimal places, the capacity utilisation in December 2016. You are advised to show your working.

Question paper p.3 Mark scheme p.4 Examiner report p.5 Open in the tool

Case study: Crisp maker hit by price rises

Explain one way Nim’s Fruit Crisps could improve its capacity utilisation.

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

AS Paper 2, June 2017, Q1(b)Calculate4 marks

Case study: International Comparisons of Productivity – Final Estimates for 2014

Calculate JLR’s labour productivity to 2 decimal places. You are advised to show your working.

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

Case study: International Comparisons of Productivity – Final Estimates for 2014

Using Extract A, explain one effect of the productivity gap between the US and the UK.

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

AS Paper 2, June 2016, Q2(a)Define2 marks

Case study: Lightbulb moment as first mass market graphene product goes live

What is meant by the term ‘mass market’?

Question paper p.9 Mark scheme p.10 Examiner report p.11 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 productive efficiency

Data response questions on productive efficiency

Short answer questions on productive efficiency

More Edexcel B topics: The wider economic environment