Cambridge IGCSE™: Economics 0455/23
Cambridge IGCSE™: Economics 0455/23
ECONOMICS 0455/23
Paper 2 Structured Questions May/June 2023
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 90
Published
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.
Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the May/June 2023 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level and Cambridge Pre−U components, and some
Cambridge O Level components.
These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the
specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these
marking principles.
the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond
the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
marks are not deducted for errors
marks are not deducted for omissions
answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the
question as indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level
descriptors.
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may
be limited according to the quality of the candidate responses seen).
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or
grade descriptors in mind.
a DO credit answers which are worded differently from the mark scheme if they clearly convey the same meaning (unless the mark
scheme requires a specific term)
b DO credit alternative answers/examples which are not written in the mark scheme if they are correct
c DO credit answers where candidates give more than one correct answer in one prompt/numbered/scaffolded space where extended
writing is required rather than list−type answers. For example, questions that require n reasons (e.g. State two reasons …).
d DO NOT credit answers simply for using a ‘key term’ unless that is all that is required. (Check for evidence it is understood and not used
wrongly.)
e DO NOT credit answers which are obviously self−contradicting or trying to cover all possibilities
f DO NOT give further credit for what is effectively repetition of a correct point already credited unless the language itself is being tested.
This applies equally to ‘mirror statements’ (i.e. polluted/not polluted).
g DO NOT require spellings to be correct, unless this is part of the test. However spellings of syllabus terms must allow for clear and
unambiguous separation from other syllabus terms with which they may be confused (e.g. Corrasion/Corrosion)
3 Calculation questions:
The mark scheme will show the steps in the most likely correct method(s), the mark for each step, the correct answer(s) and the mark
for each answer
If working/explanation is considered essential for full credit, this will be indicated in the question paper and in the mark scheme. In all
other instances, the correct answer to a calculation should be given full credit, even if no supporting working is shown.
Where the candidate uses a valid method which is not covered by the mark scheme, award equivalent marks for reaching equivalent
stages.
Where an answer makes use of a candidate’s own incorrect figure from previous working, the ‘own figure rule’ applies: full marks will be
given if a correct and complete method is used. Further guidance will be included in the mark scheme where necessary and any
exceptions to this general principle will be noted.
4 Annotation:
For point marking, ticks can be used to indicate correct answers and crosses can be used to indicate wrong answers. There is no direct
relationship between ticks and marks. Ticks have no defined meaning for levels of response marking.
For levels of response marking, the level awarded should be annotated on the script.
Other annotations will be used by examiners as agreed during standardisation, and the meaning will be understood by all examiners
who marked that paper.
Confused SEEN
L Nothing creditworthy
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
1(a) Calculate New Zealand’s GDP per head in 2020. 1 Accept the correct figure without the $ sign.
1(b) Identify two external costs arising from the milk and car 2 If more than two costs given, consider the first three.
industries.
1(d) Explain the two plans that the New Zealand government 4 One mark each for each of two plans identified and one
has to reduce external costs to the environment. mark each for each of two explanations.
Logical explanation which might include: Accept milk production for keeping cows.
End imports of petrol-powered cars by 2032 (1) decreasing
the number of petrol−powered cars in New Zealand / reduce
use of fossil fuels / by imposing an embargo/increasing the
price of petrol-power cars / increasing usage of greener /
electric cars (1).
Limit the number of cows that each farmer can have (1)
decreasing the amount of air pollution emitted by cows / less
habitat damaged by cows / government fines to those who
have more cows than permitted/ imposing regulations (1).
1(f) Analyse the relationship between a country’s share of 5 Responses do not have to be in the format suggested but
world GDP (%) and its share of world carbon dioxide they should address the expected/normal relationship, offer
emissions (%). supporting evidence of that, highlight any exceptions to that,
and analyse the overall data.
Coherent analysis which might include:
Expected relationship:
Positive relationship (1) – the lower / higher total GDP as a
% of world GDP, the lower / higher the carbon dioxide
emission as a % of world GDP (1).
Supporting evidence:
up to 2 marks for relevant evidence e.g.
New Zealand has the lowest total GDP as a % of world
GDP and lowest level of carbon dioxide emission as a
% of world carbon dioxide emissions
Thailand has the second lowest total GDP as a % of
world GDP and second lowest level of carbon emissions
as % of world carbon dioxide emissions
China and USA have the two highest total GDP as a % of
world GDP and highest level of carbon emissions as a
% of world carbon dioxide emissions.
Exception:
China/United States (1) China has 2nd highest GDP as a %
of world GDP after the US but China has the highest carbon
dioxide emission as a % of world GDP (1).
Analysis of exception:
e.g. China has a larger secondary sector / higher
percentage of heavy industries / larger population (1).
© UCLES 2023 Page 8 of 25
0455/23 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme May/June 2023
PUBLISHED
Question Answer Mark Guidance
1(g) Discuss whether or not an increase in exports of clean 6 Apply this example to all questions with the command
and green products will help the New Zealand word DISCUSS
government achieve its macroeconomic aims. (1g, 1h, 2d, 3d, 4d and 5d)
Award up to 4 marks for logical reasons why it might, which Each point may be credited only once, on either side of an
may include: argument, but separate development as to how/why the
Increase economic growth / GDP (1) as increased outcome may differ is rewarded.
exports lead to increased total demand (1) clean and
green products may have higher demand (1) and higher Generic example mark
prices (1)
Reduce its current account of the balance of payment Tax revenue may decrease … 1
deficit (1) as value of exports will increase (1) increasing
net exports (1) more inflow into the current account / ... because of reason e.g. incomes may be lower. 1
increase in trade in goods inflow (1)
Decrease unemployment (1) as more goods produced Tax revenue may increase because incomes may 0
(1) requires more workers (1) reduce poverty (1) be higher i.e. reverse of a previous argument.
Improved HDI (1).
Tax revenue may increase because of a different 1
Award up to 4 marks for logical reasons why it might not, reason i.e. not the reverse of a previous argument
which may include: e.g. government spending on subsidies may
Not all firms benefit (1) as some firms which are less stimulate the economy more than spending on
clean / green will lose revenues / profits (1) cut costs (1) education.
hire less workers (1) increase unemployment (1)
Increased total demand (1) will lead to inflation (1) firms
increase the price of their products since demand is
higher (1) lower purchasing power of consumers / lower
real income (1).
2(a) Identify two types of cost to a firm. 2 Accept any relevant costs e.g. labour cost
Accept abbreviations e.g. TC
total cost (1) average total cost (1) fixed cost (1) variable If more than two costs given, consider the first three.
cost (1) average fixed cost (1) average variable cost (1)
2(b) Explain two roles of commercial banks for firms. 4 One mark each for each of two roles identified and one mark
each for each of two explanations.
Logical explanation which might include:
Provide loans / overdrafts to banks / source of finance (1) to If more than two roles given, consider the first three.
fund investments / expansion / start−up / day to day
operations (1).
Help process payments (1) internet banking / fund transfers /
credit card / debit card payments (1).
Issuing bank drafts / bank cheques (1) to help firms make
payments (1).
Safe place to store money / savings (1) firms making
deposits / earn interest (1).
Safekeeping of documents and other items (1) in safe
deposit boxes (1).
Currency exchange (1) to facilitate transfers between firms /
international transactions (1).
Provides insurance (1) to reduce various risks to the firm (1).
2(c) Analyse the causes of differences in the level of income 6 Alternatively, accept arguments which describes reasons for
between countries. lower incomes.
2(d) low tax rates increase trade which increases need for
international transport such as ships and planes which
increases pollution
low direct tax rates increase inequality
low tax rates on demerit goods may worsen health /
result in market failure.
low tax rates on imports (tariffs) may worsen the current
account of the balance of payments
3(a) Identify two challenges facing small firms. 2 If more than two challenges given, consider the first three.
3(b) Explain two possible opportunity costs for firms if they 4 One mark each for each of two opportunity costs identified
invest in the latest technology. and one mark each for each of two explanations.
Logical explanation which might include: If more than two opportunity costs given, consider the first
They may not be able to pay as much in wages (1) forgoing three.
having extra workers to help in their business / more skilled
workers (1)
They may not be able to get good quality raw materials (1)
sacrificing the quality of their product (1)
They may not be able to operate in a good location (1) more
difficult for customers to reach the firm (1)
They may not be able to buy land (1) for expansion (1)
They may not be able to spend on advertising / marketing /
spending on the brand (1) forgoing the opportunity to
increase demand (1)
Retained profits (1) could have been distributed to the
owners (1)
3(c) Analyse two causes of a fall in demand for a product 6 If more than two causes given, consider the first three.
such as Chinese food.
4(b) Explain two causes of a recession. 4 If more than two causes given, consider the first three.