2022 RI H1 Econs Prelims (CSQ1 Examiner's Report)

ECONOMICS Higher 1 Syllabus 8823 Examiner’s Report Year 6 Prelims 2022 R a f f l e sI n s t i t u t i o n N u r t u r i n g t h e T h i n k e r , L e a d e r & P i o n e e r TEL: 65 6419 9888 ● FAX: 65 6419 9898 http://www.ri.edu.sg ● One Raffles Institution Lane, SINGAPORE 575954

Y6/8823/Prelims/2022 2 © RI 2022 [Turn Over ECONOMICS Y6 H1 Prelims 2022 Paper 8823 Case Study 1 (a) Figure 1 shows the share of population at least partially vaccinated. What are the major trends shown? [2] Suggested Answer: ✓ Share of population at least partially vaccinated in all countries regardless of income levels increased between January 2021 and October 2021. ✓ The extent of increase was slowest in low income countries but highest in high income countries. ✓ The higher the level of income, the higher the share of population at least partially vaccinated. (Any one of the above responses will gain 1 mark. Other valid responses will be accepted too.) Good sample response: “The share of population at least partially vaccinated generally increased across all (income) groups from January 2021 to October 2021. Higher income gro ups experienced a great increase in share of population at least partially vaccinated while lower income groups experienced low to minimal increase of share of population at least partially vaccinated.” [Abdul Halim. 22S06H]: Mark Scheme: 1 mark for each correct observation about a major trend from Figure 1. Examiners’ Comments: Most students identified and accurately described two major trends from Figure 1. Mere regurgitation of data was infrequent. Revision: A trend is the general direction in which something is developing or changing over time. A trend can often be found by establishing a line chart. A trendline is the line formed between a high and a low. If that line is going up, the trend is up. If the trendline is sloping downward, the trend is down. There is no need to provide numerical values unless the question asks you to calculate or to justify why. (b) Assess whether the statement in Extract 1 that “the public has invested heavily, and these products are theirs’ too” is a normative or positive one. [4] Suggested Answer: Clarify ambiguity: Define normative statement and define positive statement Body paragraphs • Explain why the phrase “the public has invested heavily” might be a positive statement Good sample responses: “(Based on Extract 1, last paragraph), the statement might be a positive one, which is a factual statement whose accuracy can be tested by simple appeal to facts. The public has “invested

Y6/8823/Prelims/2022 3 © RI 2022 [Turn Over heavily”, when research shows development of vaccines “funded primarily by the governments”. This is a factual statement, as there is a definite amount of money invested and the larger proportion of funds from public investment is a statistic and fact. [Erina. 22S03J] “There is clear evidence that the public has contributed tremendously to the production – “impossible without enormous upstream public investment” shows that the public obviously has a major role to play in contributing in the production of vaccines. Hence, the clear facts show the public’s contribution and investment, making this statement positive due to ability to appeal with facts.” [Quek Yi Xin. 22S06E] AND/OR • Explain why the phrase “the public has invested heavily” might be a normative statement Good sample responses: “The statement can also be a normative one, which is a statement of value of opinion, whose accuracy cannot be tested by simple appeal to facts. The public has “invested heavily”, but how much money has to be invested to be considered a high or heavy investment is subjective to the person.” [Erina. 22S03J] AND/OR • Explain why the phrase “these products are theirs’ too” might be a normative statement Good sample responses: “The statement is normative as the ownership of Covid vaccine technology is subjective, and (if the legal rights have not been issued yet), it is not backed by data, instead being an opinion of the author”. [Ang Yock Kang. 22S06I] AND/OR • Explain why the phrase “these products are theirs’ too” might be a positive statement Good sample responses: “The statement may be seen as a positive statement as it is a statement of fact. Positive statements can be proven by checking with evidence. According to laws, “patent holders are the rightful owners of their inventions … entitled to existing protections.” This means that pharmaceutical companies own the vaccines they invented by law, regardless of stakeholders involved. In that way, this statement is proven inaccurate (false) and is a positive statement.” [Shermaine. 22S03J] Mark Scheme: Max 1m • Define normative and/or positive statements only Max 3m • Accurate and complete definitions of normative and positive statements • AND only makes a judgement on 1 part of the sentence (EITHER “the public has invested heavily” OR “the product is theirs” is a positive and/or normative statement) Max 4 • Accurate and complete definitions of normative and positive statements • AND addresses both parts of the sentence (“the public has invested heavily” AND “the product is theirs”). • AND A judgement is made on whether each part is a positive and/or normative statement. An overall judgement might be provided.

Y6/8823/Prelims/2022 4 © RI 2022 [Turn Over Examiners’ Comments - A small number of responses did not explain the meaning of “positive” and “normative” statements clearly. Most students, however, correctly explained a “positive” statement as being a factual statement that can be proven true or false using empirical evide nce or data, and a “normative” statement as one that is subjective and involves a value judgement or opinion which cannot be proven true or false using empirical evidence or data or statistics. The strongest responses showed awareness that what mattered in characterizing these statements as normative or positive was whether it was in principle of being supported or refuted by reference to evidence. An equally acceptable approach was to argue either that there was, or was not, evidence to confirm it within the Extract(s) provided. - Weaker responses did not explain the meaning of “normative” and “positive” statements clearly. For instance, they need to go beyond stating that a normative statement is one that is a claim that could not be “quantified” or “measured”. They need to explain that a normative statement is is subjective and involves a value judgement which cannot be proven true or false using empirical evidence or data. - Students are required to recognize that there are two parts to the statement “the public has invested heavily, and these products are theirs’ too”. To secure full credit, they need to make an assessment on both parts of the statement. Students need to be m indful not to take sides with either the public or the pharmaceutical companies as to which party is the rightful owner of the vaccines, but whether the statement “these products are theirs” can be proven true or false using evidence, statistics and data. - Note that public spending refers to government spending, as opposed to private sector spending which is undertaken by households and firms. The private sector is the part of the economy that is run by individuals and companies for profit and is not state controlled. (c) Using demand and supply analysis, to what extent will “waiving intellectual -property (IP) protections for Covid -fighting technologies” make pharmaceutical products more accessible to countries, especially poorer countries. [8] Suggested Answer: Introduction: - Clarify ambiguity • Clarify what is meant by Covid-fighting technologies – e.g. vaccines • Clarify w