NYJC H2 Economics P2

J2 H2 Economics (9732/2) 1 PRELIMINARY EXAM 2014 JC2 Economics H2 (9732) NYJC Paper 2 - Essay Tuesday 23 September 2014 08:00 – 10:15 TIME : 2 hours 15 mins INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES  Do not open this paper until you are told to do so.  Attempt 3 questions, with at least one from each section.  The number of marks is given in the br ackets at the end of each question. Write your answers on the writing papers provided. If you use more than one sheet of paper, fasten the sheets together.  Write your name, class an d name of economics tutor in the space provided on the writing paper.  Circle the questions you have attempted in the table below, and attach this paper to the front of your answer scripts. N a m e : C l a s s : T u t o r ’ s N a m e : Question Marks Question Marks 1 4 2 5 3 6 Total: / 75 There are 3 printed pages including this cover page

J2 H2 Economics (9732/2) 2 Answer three questions in total. Section A One or two of your three chosen questions must be from this section. 1. 2014 is the most profitable year ever fo r chicken producers. Fast food restaurants such as KFC, McDonalds, Wendy’s and Burger King are betting on the birds due to rising costs of other meats. However, the outlook is bearish outside the US as feed costs rise and an outbreak of avi an influenza erode demand in China, the second-largest consumer. Bloomberg report, 2014 (a) Using economic analysis, explain how the above changes will affect the chicken market in US and in China. [10] (b) Discuss how different restaurants in China might respond to the challenges mentioned in the report. [15] 2. Despite the existence of supermarket chains, such as FairPrice and Giant, the newest local online grocery retailer Redm art is confident that online grocery shopping will catch on in a big way her e as time-starved consumers will increasingly value one-stop convenience shopping. The Straits Times, 20 July 2014 In light of the market structure supermarket chains operate in, discuss whether the entry of Redmart is desirable. [25] 3 (a) Explain why income inequality and market dominance may lead to market failure. [10] (b) Evaluate the policies currently us ed by the Singapore government to correct these causes of market failure. [15]

J2 H2 Economics (9732/2) 3 S e c t i o n B One or two of your three chosen questions must be from this section. 4. Discuss the extent to which trade affect s the standard of living of a country. [25] 5. The Japanese economy shrank at its fastest rate since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in the second quarter of this year , contracting at an annual rate of 6.8%. In addition to falling exports and high go vernment debt, spending was hit by a sales tax rise in April. The Guardian, 13 August 2014 (a) Explain the likely causes of recession in Jap an. [10] (b) Discuss whether demand management policies are most appropriate in pursuing economic growth for Japan. [15] 6 (a) Explain how a change in the exch ange rate would affect a country’s balance of payments. [10] (b) Discuss whether maintaining a health y balance of payments takes priority over other macroeconomic objectives. [15] ***** End of Paper *****