2025 VJC Paper 1

Victoria Junior College [Turn over VICTORIA JUNIOR COLLEGE JC2 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2025 HIGHER 2 ECONOMICS 9570/01 Paper 1 15 September 2025 2 hours 30 minutes No Additional Materials are required. READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST An answer booklet will be provided with this question paper. You should follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper, ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. Answer all questions. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question. This document consists of 9 printed pages and 3 blank pages.

2 Victoria Junior College 9570/01/PE/25 Answer all questions. Question 1: Plastic and its waste Extract 1: Plastic production and pollution are growing relentlessly The world is producing twice as much plastic waste as two decades ago. Most plastic pollution comes from inadequate collection and disposal of larger plastic debris known as macroplastics, but leakage of microplastics that filter through the food chain or enter waterways from landfill and poor waste management are also a serious concern. An OECD report found that the COVID -19 crisis led to a 2.2% decrease in plastics use in 2020 as economic activity slowed. As economic activity resumed in 2021, plastics consumption has also rebounded. Additionally, most plastics in use today are virgin plastics, made from crude oil or gas. Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 22 February 2022 Figure 1: Producer Price Index of plastic bags*, 2020 – 2024 *The Producer Price Index of plastic bags measures the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers for their plastic bags. Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis Figure 2: Average annual Brent crude oil price, 2020 - 2024 Source: Statistica.com

3 Victoria Junior College 9570/01/PE/25 Extract 2: Trade in global plastic waste Every year, nations worldwide produce around 350 million metric tons of plastic waste. This is equivalent to over 10 million fully loaded garbage trucks. Most of this plastic waste is either incinerated or sent to landfills, thus eventually polluting our air, land, and oceans. Only a fraction of this waste is recycled, and 2% is traded internationally. Though most plastic waste is managed and recycled within countries, trade in plastic waste moves materials to countries with an advantage in managing or recycl