JUNE EXAMINATION
GRADE 12
2025
MARKING GUIDELINES
ECONOMICS
(PAPER 2)
21 pages
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Economics Grade 12 Paper 2 Gauteng June 2025 Memo (English)
Grade 12 Economics Paper 2 memorandum from the Gauteng June Exam 2025 (English), 22 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.
Economics · Grade 12 · Gauteng June Exam · 2025 · English. Memorandum, 22 pages. Read online or download the PDF.
- Subject
- Economics
- Grade
- Grade 12
- Language
- English
- Document type
- Memorandum
- Year
- 2025
- Exam period
- Gauteng June Exam
- Paper
- 2
- Curriculum
- CAPS
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This exam
Gauteng June Exam 2025
- Paper 1Question paperMemo
- Paper 2Question paperMemo
Questions in this paper
- Question 1.1The dynamics of perfect markets16 marks
- Question 1.2The dynamics of perfect markets8 marks
- Question 1.3The dynamics of perfect markets6 marks
- Question 2The dynamics of perfect markets40 marks
- Question 3The reasons for and consequences of market failures40 marks
- Question 4Dynamics of imperfect markets40 marks
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ECONOMICS
MARKING GUIDELINES
(PAPER 2) GR12 0625
SECTION A
QUESTION 1
1.1 MULTIPLE-CHOICE
1.1.1 C – Homogenous
1.1.2 Accept A/B/C /D
1.1.3 A – Public goods will not be supplied
1.1.4 B – Market structure
1.1.5 D – oligopolies markets
1.1.6 C – Price discrimination
1.1.7 A – It determines the firm's profit-maximising output level.
1.1.8 B – Firms are free to enter and leave the market. (8 x 2) (16)
1.2 MATCH COLUMN
1.2.1 H – all the businesses producing a particular kind of product or
service
1.2.2 C – monopolistic competitors use various approaches to
communicate with the consumers with the primary aim of
increasing market share
1.2.3 A – the government can regulate companies that produce negative
externalities by enacting new laws or by using the existing
legislative framework.
1.2.4 B – when one firm takes over another firm and that firm then ceases
to exist
1.2.5 F – a market structure where two firms dominate the market
1.2.6 E – expenses that have already been incurred and cannot be
recovered, regardless of future decisions
1.2.7 I – some countries sell their surplus goods in a foreign country at
lower prices than it cost them to produce the goods
1.2.8 D – commercial healthcare providers find it unprofitable to provide
these services, resulting in a rural population lacking access to
affordable healthcare (8 x 1) (8)
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ECONOMICS
MARKING GUIDELINES
(PAPER 2) GR12 06255
1.3 GIVE THE TERM
1.3.1 Productive efficiency/Technical efficiency
1.3.2 Marginal revenue
1.3.3 Natural monopolies
1.3.4 Branding
1.3.5 Externalities
1.3.6 Producer subsidies/Subsidies (6 x 1) (6)
TOTAL SECTION A: 30
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ECONOMICS
MARKING GUIDELINES
(PAPER 2) GR12 06255
SECTION B
Answer any TWO of the three questions in this section in the ANSWER BOOK.
QUESTION 2: MICROECONOMICS
2.1 Answer the following questions.
2.1.1 Name any TWO examples of explicit costs
• Wages
• Electricity
• Rent
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (2 x 1) (2)
2.1.2 Why is it important to adjust future values to their present-day
equivalents in a cost-benefit analysis?
• Adjusting future values to present values is critical in a cost-benefit
analysis because it ensures that projects are evaluated based on their
true economic viability.
• Money available today is worth more than the same amount of money
in the future. This is because money today can be invested and earn a
return (interest), growing over time
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (1 x 2) (2)
2.2 DATA RESPONSE
2.2.1 Identify the profit maximisation point in the graph above.
e/MR=MC (1)
2.2.2 Name the missing curve in the above diagram.
MC/AVC (1)
2.2.3 Briefly describe the term economic profit.
• The profit that is earned in addition to normal profit
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (2)
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ECONOMICS
MARKING GUIDELINES
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2.2.4 Explain how the assumptions of perfect markets differ from the real-
world marketplace.
• Perfect competition assumptions often differ due to unequal access to
market information, product differentiation, high barriers to entry, and
the dominance of large firms in industries.
• Deviations also occur from consumer irrationality, unaccounted
externalities (e.g., environmental costs in mining), and government
interventions such as BEE and subsidies. These factors highlight
variations from the ideal model of perfect competition.
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (2)
2.2.5 Calculate the equilibrium position of the firm above. Show ALL
calculations
(TR – TC) (AR – AC) x Q
(80 x 100) – (50 x 100) (80 – 50) x 100
8000 - 5000 30 x 100
= R3 000 (Economic profit) = R3 000 (Economic profit)
(Accept any other correct method used to calculate the total
economic profit.) (4)
2.3 DATA RESPONSE
2.3.1 Identify an example of non-price competition used by monopolistic
competitors in the cartoon above.
• Branding
• Marketing
• Advertising (1)
2.3.2 How many markets are combined to form a hybrid market structure?
Two/2 (1)
2.3.3 Briefly describe the term allocative efficiency.
• Allocative efficiency means that goods produced meet the needs and
preferences of consumers
• The point where the indifference curve is tangible to the production
possibility curve
(Accept any other correct relevant response)
(2)
2.3.4 What are the new barriers to entry for new spaza shops in the given
market?
• Registration and licensing are used to ensure that spaza shops and
street vendors adhere to all the relevant legislation and by-law
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (2)
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ECONOMICS
MARKING GUIDELINES
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2.3.5 How does the availability of substitutes influence pricing decisions in
imperfect markets?
• The presence of substitutes makes consumers more price-
sensitive
• Firms may attempt to segment the market to target specific customer
groups less sensitive to price or to differentiate their product to create a
perceived lack of close substitutes.
• It will intensify competition among firms, forcing them to keep prices
competitive to avoid losing market share
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (2 x 2) (4)
2.4 Briefly explain South Africa’s anti-monopolistic policy
• After 1994 a strict anti-monopoly policy was adopted - This was introduced to
promote competition policy in South Africa.
The objectives of anti-monopoly policy are as follows:
• To limit any restrictions on entry to an industry
• To give previously disadvantaged groups access to resources and economic
power to promote economic transformation in the country
• To curb economic power of the big conglomerates in the South African
economy to obtain a more equal distribution of income and wealth
• To make businesses more competitive so that they can gain access to the
international markets
• To make our policies more compliant with international requirements
(Accept any other correct relevant response)
(A maximum of 4 marks may be allocated for the mere listing of
facts/examples)
(4 x 2) (8)
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ECONOMICS
MARKING GUIDELINES
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2.5 How can subsidies be used to correct market failures caused by positive
externalities?
• A subsidy is a payment made by the government, usually to a firm, to
encourage a specific course of action. When a subsidy is granted to producers,
it reduces their production costs. This makes it more profitable for them to
produce the good, leading to an increase in supply
• As supply increases, the market price tends to fall, making the good more
affordable for consumers
• By providing subsidies, the government effectively internalises the positive
externality. This means that the producer or consumer now bears the full cost
or receives the full benefit of the externality
• For instance, a subsidy for research and development in renewable energy
technologies encourages innovation, which benefits society as a whole through
reduced pollution and increased energy security
• Subsidies are a government intervention tool that can help correct this market
failure. By providing financial incentives to producers or consumers, subsidies
effectively lower the cost of production or consumption, encouraging increased
output and consumption of the good with positive externalities
(Accept any other correct relevant response)
(Allocate a maximum of 2 marks for the mere listing of facts) (8)
[40]
QUESTION 3: MICROECONOMICS
3.1 Answer the following questions.
3.1.1 List any TWO characteristics of public goods.
• Non-rivalrous
• Non-excludable
• Non-rejectable
• Continuous/Endless consumption
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (2 x 1) (2)
3.1.2 How could the closure of firms harm consumers?
• Consumers may have fewer options to choose from, limiting their ability
to find products or services that best suit their needs and
preferences
• When firms close, competition in the market decreases which will result
in higher prices for consumers as remaining firms have less incentive
to keep prices low
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (1 x 2) (2)
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MARKING GUIDELINES
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3.2 DATA RESPONSE
3.2.1 Identify ONE way in which the proposed airport might benefit the
economy of South Africa.
• Stimulate economic growth and development
• Potential to attract both local and international investors
• Create numerous job opportunities
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (1)
3.2.2 Name any ONE type of benefit that is considered during a cost-
benefit analysis.
• Private benefit
• Social benefit (1)
3.2.3 Briefly describe the term social costs.
• When goods and services are produced, and a third party (an
individual or society) is negatively affected by it
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (2)
3.2.4 Why would applying the cost-benefit analysis be a challenge to the
government?
• Calculating present values for future costs and benefits involves
discounting, which relies on assumptions about the appropriate
discount rate. This choice can heavily impact the results and may fail to
accurately represent societal preferences over time
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (2)
3.2.5 How could decision makers of the above project address intangible
costs and benefits that are difficult to monetise?
• To address intangible costs and benefits in a cost-benefit analysis,
decision-makers should use a combination of valuation methods,
sensitivity analysis, public input, and ethical considerations
• Eventually, balancing tangible and intangible impacts allows for a more
comprehensive analysis, leading to more informed and sustainable
policy decisions
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (2 x 2) (4)
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MARKING GUIDELINES
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3.3 DATA RESPONSE
3.3.1 Identify the institution that accepts or rejects the investigation and
recommendation of the competition commission.
• Competition tribunal (1)
3.3.2 What was the primary reason for the Competition Tribunal's decision
to block Vodacom's merger with MazivT?
• Potential harm to competition
• Higher prices for consumers
• To prohibit the merger (1)
3.3.3 Briefly describe the term merger
• a merger occurs when two companies become one company by mutual
agreement
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (2)
3.3.4 What effect does competition have on prices?
• With more options available, consumers have more power to choose
the best deal, forcing businesses to keep their prices competitively
lower
• Competition generally helps to reduce prices, so when businesses
compete for customers, they often reduce prices to attract more
customers, making goods and services more affordable
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (2)
3.3.5 How does the Competition Commission promote fair competition
between large enterprises and SMMEs in South Africa?
• The Competition Commission investigates and acts against anti-
competitive practices by large enterprises that could harm SMMEs by
preventing the abuse of dominance by large enterprises
• The Competition Commission assesses mergers to ensure they do not
harm SMMEs or reduce competition. It may stop mergers or impose
conditions requiring large firms to support SMMEs, such as promoting
SMMEs in supply chains or preserving opportunities for smaller
competitors
• The Competition Commission can conduct market inquiries into sectors
where SMMEs battle due to systemic barriers where they can improve
SMMEs’ market access or reduce unfair practices by dominant
players
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (2 x 2) (4)
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ECONOMICS
MARKING GUIDELINES
(PAPER 2) GR12 06255
3.4 Explain, with the aid of a well-labelled graph, the levying of taxes as a
consequence of market failure. (4 x 2)
Price/Costs/Income
S1
D
Indirect taxes
S
P1 e1
P e
S1
D
S
Q1 Q Quantity
(Max. 4)
Mark allocation for graph: (Max. 4)
Labelling of axis 1 mark
Labelling on axis 1 mark
Original equilibrium point/original supply curve 1 mark
New equilibrium point/new supply curve 1 mark
Indication of shift of supply curve 1 mark (Max. 4)
• The government will levy a tax if there is an oversupply and over consumption of
demerit good (e.g. Gambling, Cigarette)
• The appropriate way to intervene in the market by government is by levying
taxes as a method to recover external costs and discourage consumption
• The original market equilibrium at e, with P as the equilibrium price and Q as the
equilibrium quantity
• With the introduction of tax, the original supply curve (SS) will shift to the left to
a new supply curve. (S1 S1)
• An introduction of tax will raise the price from P to P1 and quantity will decrease
from Q to Q1
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (Max. 4) (8)
(A maximum of 2 marks may be allocated for the mere listing of
facts/examples)
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ECONOMICS
MARKING GUIDELINES
(PAPER 2) GR12 06255
3.5 How does the assumption of perfect information affect the behaviour of firms
and consumers in a perfectly competitive market?
Behaviour of firms
• Perfect information enables firms to identify profitable market opportunities,
driving free entry when profits are high and exit when profits are low, ultimately
leading to long-run market equilibrium
• Perfect information allows firms to recognize their inability to influence the
prevailing market price, making them price takers who accept the market-
determined price
• Perfect information motivates firms to optimise production efficiency by enabling
them to readily compare input prices and production techniques to minimise
costs and maintain competitiveness (Max. 4)
Behaviour of consumers
• Perfect information empowers consumers to make informed purchasing
decisions by providing complete knowledge of product prices, quality, and
available alternatives, enabling them to maximize value for their money
• In perfectly competitive markets, consumers demonstrate high price sensitivity
and readily switch to suppliers offering the lowest prices for homogenous
products
• Resources are directed towards the production of goods and services that
consumers value most (Max. 4) (8)
(Accept any other correct relevant response)
(Allocate a maximum of 2 marks for mere listing of facts/examples)
[40]
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ECONOMICS
MARKING GUIDELINES
(PAPER 2) GR12 06255
QUESTION 4: MICROECONOMICS
4.1 4.1.1 Name any TWO disadvantages of imperfect markets.
• Inefficient production
• Buyers pay a higher price
• Inefficient use of resources
• Production at higher cost
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (2 x 1) (2)
4.1.2 Why would it not be beneficial for a perfectly competitive firm to
increase its prices?
All perfect competitors are price takers and do not have the ability to
influence price.
An increase in price will cause the firm to lose customers as they do not
have any reason to pay more for the same product.
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (1 x 2) (2)
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ECONOMICS
MARKING GUIDELINES
(PAPER 2) GR12 06255
4.2 DATA RESPONSE
4.2.1 How many firms are found in an oligopoly market structure?
few (1)
4.2.2 What is the nature of products sold by a differentiated oligopoly?
heterogeneous (1)
4.2.3 Briefly describe the term collusion.
• Collusion occurs when oligopolies in the same industry manipulate and
fix prices and quantities in order to maximize their profits
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (2)
4.2.4 What impact has TikTok had on the market in South Africa?
• TikTok's effectiveness in product showcasing, customer engagement,
and sales generation has fuelled the expansion of e-commerce
platforms while simultaneously altering consumer spending
patterns
• With South Africa facing high youth unemployment, TikTok offers a
crucial avenue for young individuals to generate income and even build
sustainable businesses.
• Many side hustles are leveraging TikTok for marketing and sales,
turning fleeting views into real-world transactions.
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (2)
4.2.5 How can price leadership lead to tacit collusion?
• A dominant firm will charge high prices and smaller firms will follow.
• Firms avoid engaging in price wars, which would disrupt the collusive
pricing arrangement and reduce profits for all players.
• High barriers to entry discourage new firms from entering the market
and disrupting the collusive pricing arrangement
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (2 x 2) (4)
4.3 DATA RESPONSE
4.3.1 Identify the concept that defines the variable cost incurred per unit
produced.
• Average variable costs (1)
4.3.2 In which production period can a perfect competitor make an
economic profit?
Short run (1)
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ECONOMICS
MARKING GUIDELINES
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4.3.3 Briefly describe the term marginal product.
• It is the additional unit of output which is produced as one more unit of
the variable input is combined with a fixed input.
(Accept any other correct relevant response)
(2)
4.3.4 What does "P = AR" signify in this context?
• The firm is a price taker and can sell each unit at the market price in a
perfectly competitive market
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (2)
4.3.5 Why is the ability to cover variable costs more important for survival
in a perfectly competitive market compared to a market with less
competition?
• They are price-takers and must accept the market price, covering
variable costs is essential for their short-term survival
• Continuing production would only lead to greater losses as the firm
would be unable to recoup the variable expenses
• In less competitive markets, firms with pricing power can adjust prices
to cover variable costs and contribute to fixed costs, enabling them to
survive challenging periods and adapt their strategies for long-term
profitability.
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (2 x 2) (4)
4.4 Briefly discuss product differentiation as a characteristic in a monopolistic
competition firm.
• Monopolistic competitors use product differentiation to persuade consumers
that their products and services are distinguishable from their competitors
• The product differentiation used by monopolistic competitors can be real or
perceived(imaginary)
• Through product differentiation business within monopolistic competition are
able to create a specific perception of their goods and services with
consumers
• The distinctive characteristics used by businesses to differentiate their
products from competitors enable them to gain access to an improved
market share
• Successfully differentiating a product creates barriers to entry for new
competitors, as it requires significant resources and innovation to replicate
the unique value proposition
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (4 x 2) (8)
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ECONOMICS
MARKING GUIDELINES
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4.5 Analyse the effect of a perfectly competitive firm being a price taker in the
market.
• Firms achieve productive efficiency (producing at the lowest cost) and
allocative efficiency (resources allocated to meet consumer preferences)
• Homogenous products eliminate the need for advertising, reducing
unnecessary costs
• In the short-run, firms may temporarily earn profits or incur losses, but market
adjustments restore equilibrium
• In the long-run, firms operate at the lowest point of their average total cost
(ATC) curve, ensuring stable, efficient production
• Price-taking firms focus on cost efficiency and output optimisation
• Intense competition and market adjustments result in zero economic profit in
the long run, ensuring efficient resource use and competitive pricing.
(Accept any other correct relevant response)
(Allocate a maximum of 2 marks for the mere listing of facts/examples) (8)
[40]
TOTAL SECTION B: 80
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ECONOMICS
MARKING GUIDELINES
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SECTION C
Answer any ONE of the two question in this section in the ANSWER BOOK.
Your answer will be assessed as follows:
MARK
STRUCTURE OF ESSAY
ALLOCATION
Introduction
The introduction is a lower-order response. Max. 2
• A good starting point would be to define the main concept related to
the question topic.
• Do NOT include any part of the question in the introduction.
• Do NOT repeat any part of the introduction in the body.
• Avoid mentioning in the introduction what you are going to discuss in
the body.
Body
Main part: Discuss in detail/In-depth discussion/Examine/Critically Max. 26
discuss/Analyse/Compare/Evaluate/Distinguish/Differentiate/Explain/Draw
a graph and explain/Use the graph given and explain/Complete the given
graph/Assess/Debate
A maximum of 8 marks may be allocated for headings/examples Max. 10
Additional part: Critically discuss/Evaluate/Critically evaluate/Debate/
Deduce/Compare/Distinguish/Interpret/How?/Suggest
A maximum of 2 marks may be allocated for a mere listing of facts.
Conclusion
Any higher-order conclusion should include: Max. 2
• A brief summary of what has been discussed without repeating facts
already mentioned
• Any opinion or value judgement on the facts discussed
• Additional support information to strengthen the discussion/analysis
• A contradictory viewpoint with motivation, if required
• Recommendations
TOTAL 40
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MARKING GUIDELINES
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QUESTION 5 : MICROECONOMICS
• Discuss in detail the following equilibrium positions of a monopoly:
o Economic profit, economic loss (short run) without a graph
o Economic profit (long-run ) with a graph (26 marks)
• Evaluate whether supernormal profit is always necessary for the continued
existence of firms in perfect competition and monopoly. (10 marks)
INTRODUCTION
Monopoly exists where there is only one seller of a product, where the product has no
close substitutes, and where barriers block entry into the market completely.
(Accept any other correct relevant introduction) (Max. 2)
BODY
MAIN PART
Short-run equilibrium
The monopoly, like any other producer, will have costs that it will need to pay.
Economic profit:
• In the short run, a monopoly can earn economic profit. This occurs when the price
(AR) charged by the monopolist is greater than the average total cost (ATC) of
production.
• The monopolist will produce the output level where marginal revenue (MR) equals
marginal cost (MC). At this output level, the price charged will be higher than the
ATC.
• The difference between the price (AR) and the ATC per unit, multiplied by the quantity
produced, represents the economic profit.
Economic loss:
• In the short run, a monopoly can also incur economic losses. This happens when the
price (AR) charged is less than the ATC.
• The monopolist will still produce where MR equals MC, but the price will be below the
ATC.
• The difference between the ATC and the price per unit (AR), multiplied by the quantity
produced, represents the economic loss.
• Even though the monopolist is incurring economic losses, it will continue to operate in
the short run as long as the price (AR) is greater than the average variable cost
(AVC).
• This is because the monopolist can minimise its losses by continuing to produce and
covering some of its fixed costs.
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ECONOMICS
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Economic profit (long-run ) with a graph
Mark allocation for graph:
Labelling of axes 1 mark
Correct drawing and labelling of cost curves 1 mark
Correct drawing and labelling of income curves 1 mark
Profit maximisation 1 mark
Shaded area (profit) 2 marks
Max: 6
• A long run economic profit refers to a situation where the monopoly’s total revenue
exceeds its total cost.
• Profit maximisation occurs where long run marginal revenue=long-run marginal cost.
This is indicated at point e.
• Profit maximising point is at point E (LMC = LMR) where production is Q1 at a price of
P1 per unit/The monopolist will produce at Q1 (100) (profit maximisation point E) at a
price of P1 (10). At this production level the long run average revenue is R10 and
long run average cost is R7.
• Therefore the monopolist is making a profit of R3 per unit (total economic profit of
R300). The total economic profit is represented by the shaded area.
• The long-run marginal cost curve intersects the long-run average cost at the minimum
point of the long-run average cost curve.
• The monopoly’s long run average cost curve lies below the average revenue curve,
indicating that an economic profit has been earned.
(Accept any other correct relevant response)
(Allocate a maximum of 8 marks for a mere listing of facts/examples) (Max. 26)
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ECONOMICS
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ADDITIONAL PART
Supernormal profit is not always necessary for the continued existence of firms in either
perfect competition or monopoly.
Perfect market
Positive
• Supernormal profits in the short run act as a powerful incentive for new firms to enter
the market. This influx of competition drives prices down and eliminates those profits
in the long run.
• Supernormal profits can signal to entrepreneurs that there is an unmet demand or a
profitable opportunity in a particular market.
Negative
• In perfect competition, long-run equilibrium is characterised by normal profits (zero
economic profit). Firms earn just enough to cover all their costs, including the
opportunity cost of their resources.
• The pursuit of short-term supernormal profits can lead to unsustainable practices,
such as overexploitation of resources or environmental damage.
Monopoly market
Positive
• Supernormal profits provide a monopoly with the financial resources to invest in
research and development, leading to technological advancements and product
improvements.
• Supernormal profits enable monopolies to attract and retain top talent, such as skilled
engineers, researchers, and managers.
Negative
• A monopoly, by definition, has significant barriers to entry. Even without supernormal
profits, a monopolist can often maintain its market power due to these barriers.
• Sustained supernormal profits can lead to complacency and a lack of innovation, as
the monopolist faces little competitive pressure
Supernormal profit is more likely to be more sustainable in the long run for a
monopoly due to its market power and barriers to entry.
(Accept any other correct relevant response) (Max. 10)
(Allocate a maximum of 2 marks for the mere listing of facts/examples)
CONCLUSION
The monopolist is a price maker but cannot set a price independently of output. A price
increase is also affected by elasticity of demand. A higher price will always result in less
quantity.
(Accept any other relevant higher order conclusion.) (Max. 2) [40]
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ECONOMICS
MARKING GUIDELINES
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QUESTION 6: MICROECONOMICS
• Discuss in detail how the following factors lead to the misallocation of
resources in the market:
o Immobility of factors of production (10)
o Lack of information (8)
o Imperfect competition (8) (26 marks)
• Assess the effectiveness of the government's involvement in markets for wealth
distribution in South Africa. (10 marks)
INTRODUCTION
Market failure is when the forces of supply and demand fail to allocate resources
efficiently/when markets fail to allocate goods and services efficiently.
(Accept any other relevant introduction) (Max. 2)
MAIN PART
BODY
Immobility of factors of production
• The supply of labour cannot be increased because of the time it takes to be trained or
educated.
• Labour takes time to move into new occupations and geographical relocations due to
the long time it takes to upgrade skills, and family ties.
• Physical capital such as equipment, buildings, land and raw materials can only move
from one place to another at a high cost.
• Technological applications changed production methods such the use of robots rather
than physical labour.
• With greater technological change there is an increasing need for workers to become
flexible, to update skills, change employment, occupations and work patterns.
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Lack of information
• Markets do not respond to changes in consumer demand if resources cannot be
easily reallocated due to lack of information.
• Technical and allocative efficiency require that both producers and consumers have
complete and accurate information about the costs and benefits of the goods and
services produced and consumed in the market.
• Producers and consumers make production and consumption decisions based on the
information they have.
• When information is incomplete or inaccurate, it leads to wrong decisions about what
to produce, how to produce and for whom to produce, and a waste of resources
occurs.
• Producers might not know all the different technologies and production techniques
that are available and the different resources that can best be used to produce
goods/services more efficiently.
• Consumers might not know that the price of a product is lower from other suppliers or
about the harmful effects of a product, since they might just base their decisions to
use the product on the information from a misleading supplier.
• Workers are often unaware of job opportunities.
Imperfect competition
• In market economies, competition is often weakened by market power because
power often lies to a greater extent with producers than with consumers.
• Most businesses operate under conditions of imperfect competition that allows them
to restrict output, raise prices and produce where price exceeds marginal cost.
• Monopolies and oligopolies restrict supply in order to maximise profits and can also
prevent new businesses from entering the industry.
• Resources are under-allocated to the production of goods and services produced
under conditions of imperfect competition.
• The government may choose to do nothing about imperfect competition and trust
that large profits will attract competitors to the market or it can regulate the market
through competition policies.
(Accept any other correct relevant response)
(Allocate a maximum of 8 marks for the mere listing of facts/ examples) (Max. 26)
21
ECONOMICS
MARKING GUIDELINES
(PAPER 2) GR12 0625
ADDITIONAL PART
• South Africa possesses one of the world's most unequal distributions of wealth.
• Transfers, social expenditures, and BBBEE were effectively utilised to decrease
disparities established by apartheid.
• The government has utilised wealth taxation sparingly/a wealth tax might lower
wealth disparity while simultaneously generating extra revenue for the
government.
• The government did not succeed in fostering substantial inclusive economic
growth.
• The government effectively utilised education policies to generate opportunities for
the underprivileged in acquiring credentials and achieving better wages.
• In spite of certain positive actions, overall, the government proved to be ineffective in
narrowing the wealth disparity as it keeps expanding.
(Accept any other correct relevant response)
(Allocate a maximum of 2 marks for the mere listing of facts/examples) (Max. 10)
CONCLUSION
The government has to be cautious in managing market failure, to ensure that it leads to
the desired increase in economic growth, without negatively affecting the marginalised
and the poor.
(Accept any other relevant higher order conclusion) (Max. 2) [40]
TOTAL SECTION C: 40
TOTAL: 150
22
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